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History
The Mask Project was founded in 1998 by The Denver Hospice joining together with the Cherry Creek Shopping Center to capture the imagination of
Coloradans with a unique fundraiser.
Since its inaugural year when board chairman Mickey Ackerman 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 more than $3 million for hospice care in the Denver metro area.
In 2008, 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 tens of thousands of hits over four weeks as online bidding fired up in the final days of the project leading up to the Gala when the live auction
raised even more awareness and money for hospice care.
Today, The Mask Project is replicated in other cities across the United States, inspired by The Denver Hospice as the original host of a project built on Denver architect
Ackerman's dream. Ackerman himself has created masks through the years and in 2000, his mask netted the highest price for a mask during the live auction - a stunning $25,000.
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. Breaking records was not new to Chotin who in 2004 along with friends made the previous record-setting bid of $50,0000.
Facts & Faces of The Mask Project:
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