MischiefMasks

Shannon Morgan is a multidisciplinary artist whose intricately sculpted leather masks merge fine craftsmanship with cultural storytelling, inviting audiences into realms where identity, imagination, and myth converge.

Born into a family of artists—painters, writers, and metalworkers—Morgan’s creative path was nurtured from childhood. Encouraged early on by her grandmother and mother, she developed a strong foundation in painting and drawing, using art as both expression and escape. Though always drawn to creative work, she initially pursued a more academic route, earning a degree in Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Her studies in anthropology—spanning biological, cultural, and moral inquiry—shaped her understanding of human expression and belief. An internship at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History and a post-graduate position working on a multimedia ethnography project for UC Santa Cruz deepened her fascination with the intersection of art, ritual, and cultural identity. These themes would later become central to her artistic practice.

After graduation, Morgan quickly rose to production manager at a California-based bridal jewelry company and joined the sales team presenting collections at New York Bridal Week. During this time, she began experimenting with leatherwork—initially creating a range of wearable pieces, including her first masks. Inspired by her lifelong love of folklore and Renaissance faires, this creative exploration soon evolved into a full-fledged artistic pursuit.

Her debut at the Valhalla Renaissance Faire revealed the power of masks as vessels of transformation—both for the wearer and the maker. Her masks resonated deeply with audiences and offered her a new artistic language for exploring transformation and theatricality. Over the past decade, Morgan has continued to refine her craft, merging organic forms with symbolic motifs to create masks that are as emotionally resonant as they are visually striking.

Now based near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she is a member of House of RAD, a dynamic artist collective where she continues to evolve her practice and expand the scope of her work. Morgan’s masks are more than wearable objects—they are contemporary relics, shaped by personal history, anthropological insight, and a belief in the enduring power of myth to connect us across time and culture.