On August 20, the Geological Museum at the University of Wyoming placed a face mask on their T-Rex statue to promote wearing a mask on campus.
“We are hoping that by showing even our T-Rex could do it, it could add some light humor and encouragement to get our students and visitors to do so as well” said Laura Vietti, the Geological Museum and Collections manager.
This idea originated from the museum’s staff, but it was not implemented until Dr. Mark Clementz, the Geology and Geophysics Department Head, and members of the College of Arts and Sciences decided to approve this decoration.
Vietti said, “it was suggested as a fun way to promote wearing masks. With the blessing from Arts and Sciences, we decided to do it.”
To adorn the T-Rex statue with this large face mask, the Geological museum had to employ the help of an aerial work platform.
Vietti said that their biggest concern about putting the mask on the statue was environmental tampering, especially by the wind.
“We used a variety of different tapes to try and stabilize it and prevent it from falling off in the wind,” said Vietti.
Assistant Professor of Design, Merchandising and Textiles, Dr. Erin Irick, constructed the mask out of a fabric with the UW Steamboat logo repeated on it.
At the moment, the Geological Museum has no plans on decorating this T-Rex statue again in the near future.
“While it’s a fun idea, we don’t anticipate doing this often.”
