Mas Camp Costume Preparation, 2011
SubjectPortrait of
Keimani Delpeche
(Trinidadian)
SubjectPortrait of
Ashely Plummer
Date2011 August 12
Mediumborn digital photography
ClassificationsGraphics
Credit LineConnecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program collections
CopyrightIn Copyright
Object number2015.196.498.1-.14
DescriptionPhotographs from Mas Camp costume preparation on August 12, 2011.
(.1-.4) Images of completed "backpacks" for the mas costumes at Mas Camp.
(.5) Image of students working on their mas costumes and various parts of costumes.
(.6) Image of Q Delpeche and Ashely Plummer creating mas costumes.
(.7) Image of part of one of the Junior Queen costumes.
(.8-.9) Images of students and Q Delpeche working on mas costumes.
(.10-.11) Images of completed "backpacks" for the mas costumes at Mas Camp.
(.12) Image of the wings from the Junior Queen costume.
(.13) Image of barrels for steel pan drums.
(.14) Image of a student creating her mas costume.
NotesSubject Note: Hartford’s West Indian Independence Celebration began in 1962 to commemorate Jamaica’s and Trinidad and Tobago’s independence from the United Kingdom. The week-long celebration usually concludes with a parade and festival downtown featuring floats, steel band performances, and groups of local masqueraders displaying brilliant costumes called Mas. Mas represents an important and beloved art form in the West Indian communities that make up a vibrant component of Hartford’s population. The costumes and the traditions behind them serve as central expressions of cultural identity and heritage. The beauty of the costumes displayed by Hartford’s own masqueraders in the parade and festival, along with the excitement of their dance routines, bring a tremendous energy and pride to the city’s West Indian communities.(.1-.4) Images of completed "backpacks" for the mas costumes at Mas Camp.
(.5) Image of students working on their mas costumes and various parts of costumes.
(.6) Image of Q Delpeche and Ashely Plummer creating mas costumes.
(.7) Image of part of one of the Junior Queen costumes.
(.8-.9) Images of students and Q Delpeche working on mas costumes.
(.10-.11) Images of completed "backpacks" for the mas costumes at Mas Camp.
(.12) Image of the wings from the Junior Queen costume.
(.13) Image of barrels for steel pan drums.
(.14) Image of a student creating her mas costume.
From 2011-2020, the Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program at the Connecticut Historical Society partnered with the Connecticut Caribbean International Carnival Association to offer an annual summer youth employment program that trains Hartford youth in Carnival traditions central to their ethnic background. At the six-week “Mas Camp,” participants learned about the history and role of Carnival and masquerade. They designed and created their own Carnival costumes under the guidance of experienced Mas artists. The teens along with over two dozen volunteers formed a Carnival Band that participated in several summer events showcasing Mas costumes totally made in Hartford.
Mas Camp was both a jobs program and an arts learning experience with social impact. The program mentored students in workplace readiness, social engagement, and cultural knowledge, offering alternative creative activities that fostered community involvement while providing fulfilling employment. Participants learned new skills including Caribbean cultural history, costume design, garment sewing and construction, creative movement, and teamwork. The teens experienced first-hand how to follow an artistic idea from background to completion and presentation, working both individually and collaboratively. Through the program, youth discovered that giving back to their community is an essential part of becoming a productive citizen. They experienced the joy of being part of a larger cultural group, and contributed their new skills to community activities.
During Mas Camp, the teens created their own costumes following themes and color schemes that they chose. Hartford costume maker Keimani “Q” Delpeche, who grew up in the Mas tradition in Trinidad and Boston, taught design and building of all the types of costumes. Choreographers including Clerona Cain and Coryse Villarouel developed dance routines with the students to train them in “displaying” their costumes in a parade. Some former students became peer educators helping to supervise Mas Camp activities in later years. The mentorship of several committed community educators and cultural leaders supported the teens and provided positive role models.
The students and staff, along with volunteers from the community, formed a Carnival band they named Exotic One’s. Each year the group would choose a new theme. Exotic One’s presented their costumes and dance routines at the Wadsworth Atheneum Block Party, the Taste of the Caribbean Festival at the Riverfront, and at the West Indian Independence Celebration Parade and Festival in Bushnell Park. Mas Camp has helped to ensure that the Carnival tradition continues by training a new generation in the art of Mas making. In 2017, Mas Camp was selected as one of 50 exemplary youth programs nationwide by the National Arts and Heritage Youth Program.
During the summer of 2011, sixteen students and fifteen volunteer teens and adults participated. Renowned costume maker Tynsley Charles created the designs along with experienced assistants Grace Wright, Lerry Cooper, and Keimani “Q” Delpeche, as well as volunteer section leader Cassie Harper. Artistic director Harold Springer trained the students in “displaying” their costumes in a parade. They formed a Carnival “Band” called the Exotic One’s, with three sections of masqueraders in different color schemes. The Band performed with their costumes in the Taste of the Caribbean Festival at the Riverfront on August 6, and in the West Indian Independence Parade on August 13.
Biographical Note: A Trinidad native and now a Hartford resident Keimani “Q” Delpeche was a member of the world renowned D’Midas and Associates Mas Band for 25 years. He started at age 11 hanging around the Mas camp like many Trinidadian kids do and took a liking to making carnival costumes. He learned from the teaching of master artist Stephen Derek and other workers around the camp. Q has mastered all aspects of the art of making costumes: designing to the theme, wire bending, braiding, gluing, covering, etc. At age 21 he became a traveling instructor, teaching in New York City, San Francisco, Miami, and most Caribbean Islands including St. Thomas, Antigua, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Jamaica, and St. Croix. He did what he liked most: teaching and passing on the art of making costumes to kids and young adults alike. In 2002, he, along with other members of D’Midas and Associates from Boston, participated in the Hartford Carnival Parade. Q was the main designer and builder for the Queen costume made in the 2011 Mas Camp and since then designed and constructed the large and flamboyant multi-part wire-framed Queen, Junior Queen, Section Leader, and Frontline costumes, with input and assistance from the students who help to position and attach trim, beads, and feathers. Q also curated the Mas costume exhibits each year. His ultimate goal is to pass the art on to young Caribbean people and to educate other ethnic groups so they may aid in spreading the cultural heritage of Trinidad and Tobago.
Biographical Note: Ashely Plummer was an alumna of Mas Camp 2011 and 2012, where her maturity and dedication really stood out. She attended the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. In 2012, Ashely not only made her own costume and displayed it in parades as a section leader, but she served as a role model for the other teens because of her work ethic. In 2014 and 2015, she served as Assistant Dance Instructor, encouraging the girls to develop, practice, and perform dance routines wearing their costumes. In 2015 and 2016, she was a peer educator at Mas Camp, helping students design and create their costumes.
Additional audio, video, and/or photographic materials exist in the archive relating to this community and these events.
Cataloging Note: This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services MA-245929-OMS-20.
Status
Not on view
