Masquerade Artisan E.L.Downey draws upon decades of design experience as a jeweler, sculptor and painter and has found passion in creating exquisite, wearable art masks.

NOTE: E.L. Downey will not be creating custom masks on site, but masks will be available for purchase.

Each hand cut leather mask is individually sculpted on a plaster cast of a face, not machine pressed into a mold, ensuring that each piece is a unique creation. Masks are then painted with acrylics, and sealed with lacquer, creating rich textures and beautiful jewel tone effects. Many are also adorned with fine feathers, semi- precious stones, bead-work, and free hand filigree designs.

A certified Personal Trainer with a BA in Physical Education, Helena has studied dance for 17 years and has 15 years teaching experience in fitness and dance. Her dance studies began with the late Marie Pompeii Monforte of the Southern Tier Academy of Dance and Acrobatics, winning numerous awards in the art of jazz dance. Helena then persued her studies in fitness and aerobics and later began Egyptian Dance studies under the direction of the late Diana Shahein of the Beledi Dance Theatre Co. Helena has studied American Tribal Style Bellydance (ATS) with LeeLu of the Shazam World Bellydance Group in Syracuse, NY and Tribal Fusion with Haifa, Haifa Bellydance, Tunkhannock, PA and workshops with Bellydance Superstars Jillina, Morocco, Ansuya, Rachel Brice and numerous instructors from Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Africa and Romania.