Where the Weird Things Are - Cardboard Mask & Headdress Workshop

This workshop is for folks who want to be in Where the Weird Things Are Upside Down Parade, a BeltLine Art Project on October 19 with Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons + Black Sheep Ensemble at the Historic Fourth Ward Park! This amazing class is free with your PROMISE to be in the Upside Down Parade and give it your best!

We can't wait for you to meet the cardboard revolution. You are not going to believe how easy it is to sculpt the weird thing creature of your dreams in cardboard to wear on your head. Go big or go small with this super fun New Orleans parade arts construction method.

You will likely want every minute of three hours to play. Please do your best to be on time. This workshop and upside down parade experience is best for people 8+ years old. Kids must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

This workshop is co-hosted by New Orleans parade artist, Henry Lipkis, Chantelle Rytter, and Jennifer Long.

Where the Weird Things Are aims to conjure the wild things in our imagination that become part of our local lore.

Q. What is a weird thing?

A. A creature born from your imagination (therefore, local) conjured as a handmade costume or puppet for the purpose of delighting friends and strangers.

Q. What do we do on parade day?

A. On upside down parade day, you and your weird things will find a spot in the grassy areas near the H4W Park amphitheater and hang out and amuse the visiting humans! Tiny gifting is encouraged. (Candy is a fine tiny gift, but also think up stuff you can’t get at the store: A scrap of your critter’s story, a monster joke, a fortune, a secret handshake, an acorn with a monster face on it drawn by you.) We’d love to collect photos and stories of the weird things! #weirdthingsATL

“We long for local lore, tales of mystical creatures from here. We want for campfire stories set where we live, affirming that here is an oddly unique place in the world. Georgia leans it’s back against Appalachia and soaks its feet in the coastal south. This is where the weird things are. Once a year, we will turn a parade upside down to call them, invite them to to dance and sing with us, and listen their tales!” - Chantelle Rytter

This workshop is co-hosted by our New Orleans guest parade artist Henry Lipkis (a founder of the Monsters Parade), Chantelle Rytter, and Jennifer Long. Check out the video from last year's Weird Things!

DIRECTION NOTE: Come to the blue door near the red Krewe flag. You'll see cars parked there.

Host or Publisher Chantelle Rytter