The Mask Project was founded in 1998 by The Denver Hospice and the Cherry Creek Shopping Center to capture the imagination of Coloradans with a unique fundraiser.
Since its inaugural year when Mickey Ackerman, vice chairman of The Denver Hospice board of directors, founded the biennial community event, The Mask Project has grown into a national event attracting masks by nationally-renowned artists, celebrities, sports figures, political and community leaders.
Over the years, The Mask Project has raised nearly $4 million for hospice care in the Denver metro area. In 2010, The Mask Project was viewed by over 1 million people who visited the Cherry Creek Shopping Center during the month-long exhibit of the gallery of masks. The online gallery drew thousands of hits over four weeks of online bidding.
The Mask Project broke a record in 2006 when Steve Chotin's mask titled Helpful = Joyful Heart, sold during a festive round of bidding for $141,000. Calls to the live auction came in from Tel Aviv, Australia, Los Angeles and New York as associates of Steve and Robin Chotin and The Chotin Group bid on a mask by Denver artist Charles Wooldridge.
Facts & Faces of The Mask Project:
- The Mask Project has raised nearly $4 million for The Denver Hospice and just as importantly has helped raised community awareness for end-of-life care.
- Over 1 million people visit the Cherry Creek Shopping Center during The Mask Project exhibit.
- It takes more than 150 dedicated volunteers to produce and present The Mask Project 2010.
- The Mask Project Gala is one of Denver's most celebrated parties, attracting more than 1,200 supporters of The Denver Hospice.
- People from across the country browse the online gallery and bid on masks.
- The Mask Project 2010 collection included masks from Michelle Obama, Kevin Bacon, Harrison Ford, Dustin Hoffman, Elizabeth Edwards, John Elway, Chauncy Billups, to name a few big names.
Famous Faces who have contributed:
• Carmelo Anthony
• Bill Cosby
• Matt Dillon
• John Elway
• Peter Jackson
• Jay Leno
• The Fray
• Barack Obama
• George W. Bush
• Dave Matthews
• Paul Newman
• Sarah Jessica Parker
• Michael Douglas
• George Straight
• Glenn Close
• Miley Cyrus
• Celine Dion
• Sting
• Donald Trump
• Hilary Swank
• Stephen Stills
• Rod Stewart
• Dianne Reeves