African Art In Crane
The African art that hangs on the first floor of Crane High School was installed by the Institute for Cultural understanding in Macomb, Illinois. There are about 13 masks and they all have meanings. They are constructed so that students could learn about their heritage. Students might not know that the wall was put up in 2002 and was the vision of a lady named, Ms. June Collins, a former employee who used to work for Crane High School.
Each mask in the exhibit has its own name. Few people know that one of the masks is called Gbajero. Most people believe that that the masks are spiritual, but the masks got discovered many years ago. When in Africa, the people used to dance around wearing masks. The dance was for entertainment, but it also reflected the way in which life was regulated by society.
The masks are important because kids can get to know their African heritage. First the masks catch people’s eyes, and then they read about them and understand that it is a part of their heritage and not just something to look at it. The wall really is important because people need their heritage. Knowing our cultural can tell who you really are. Our beautiful masks our some of our most precious assets here at Crane High School.
~Ebony Stubbs
