The man behind the masks

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The man behind the masks at The Woodlands Children’s Museum is Al Robb – a world traveler with a love of art and culture.

Robb’s career as manager of safety, security health and environment for ExxonMobil Global Services Company has taken him around the world.

During his travels to distant lands, he built an elaborate collection of masks.

His first acquisitions came from Alaska – and he now owns masks from every continent except Antarctica. They are made from all media – stone, wood, paper mache, bone and hair, silk and batik.

“Not only are they neat, but they link back to culture in several ways,” Robb said. “And some of the masks are works of art.” For instance, he explained that certain masks tell the story of classic characters – like Rama and Sita from Indonesia. Others like the “barong” creatures, or the dancing devils from the Venezuelan Corpus Christi ceremonies, represent spirits or religious figures. A few of his masks are actual likenesses of people in Alaska and are made from animal skins.

“When I collect, I really strive to get something old or something really used in ceremonies,” Robb said. “Most are originals, and some are truly antiques or artifacts.”

He spends time exploring markets, meeting artists and listening to stories to find the most intriguing items for his collection. At a certain point, Robb ran out of room for his collection and went on a search for a temporary home. The Woodlands Children’s Museum accepted the loan in 2007, and the masks will remain at the museum until further notice.

“I stopped collecting, because I don’t have a place to put the masks,” Robb said. “I’m loaning them to the museum so they can be out and enjoyed.”

The museum’s executive director Angela Colton said visitors have taken note of the exhibit. “Each of these masks has a unique story to tell,” Colton said. “They are an excellent collection that drives curious and interactive conversation between families visiting our museum. We are honored Robb has trusted us with this collection.”

The Woodlands Children’s Museum is dedicated to promoting arts and culture in the community. To learn more about museum, its hours of operation and ways to support the nonprofit, visit the link below. Follow the museum’s Twitter handle @thewoodlandscm. The museum is always looking for sponsors or partners for its exhibits and events.