John Claude Bemis is a sculptural mask-maker who lives on the banks of the Eno River in Hillsborough. Drawing on Southern folklore and woodland mythology, his masks are each handmade using papier-mâché, foam clay, acrylic paint, and a variety of found objects such as mountain laurel twigs, buckeyes, acorns, brass keys, hemp cords, leather, and beads. In his other creative career, John writes novels, picture books, and graphic novels about magic and wonder.