Charise

Hello, my name is Charise Sowells and I’m one of the founders of Carnival of Masks. The first time I crossed the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy I literally cried happy tears. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the city. And, at the risk of sounding cliche, it truly was everything I'd dreamed of and more. So much more. No matter how many photos or paintings I'd seen, nothing compared to being there and taking it all in with my own eyes.

Photos by Charise Sowells

Carnevale in particular called my name because of my lifelong love of masks. Having grown up in the theater, I began collecting them early on and found any excuse I could to wear them or decorate my walls with them. Combining the intricate stylings of Venetian masks with the grand architecture of such a fascinating floating city drew me in. And then I learned about the history of these traditions and it struck an even deeper chord.

Wandering down the windy pathways into one mask shop after another, inspired me as much as seeing throngs of people in stunning handmade costumes along the water’s edge at Piazza San Marco. Riding in a gondola with my husband all dressed up in our wedding clothes nearly a decade after tying the knot was a pretty amazing way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Especially, with our recently purchased masks from Tragicomedia as a nod to Carnevale.

All of these experiences led to the idea for Carnival of Masks. Ever since going to Venice I wanted to return. And ever since experiencing Carnevale, I have found myself wishing it was Carnevale year round. My hope is that Carnival of Masks becomes a way to help keep the magic of Carnival alive 365 days a year. Not just for me, but for others too by sharing our stories with one another and uplifting the amazing creatives that make it all possible.