The Mask Identity Project was born out of a semester-long study of character development and identity themes in 9th grade Honors English: Who am I? What am I willing to struggle for? How can I be my most authentic self? Inspired by poetry and prose, and through the study of works of fiction and nonfiction, students explored the masks they wear in an attempt to break free of societal norms and expectations and express their true and unique selves. In their artist statements, students describe the elements of the divided masks, both what they show to the world and what they keep hidden.