Monday after the Market: Part Three

Manuel Abiero Horta Ramos, Martha Picciano, Pat Picciano, Nancy Walkup, Stevie Mack, and Modesto Horta Ramos.

One of our favorite booths at the International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe was that of the Mexican mask carvers Manuel and Modesto Horta Ramos. Manuel and Modesto are two of five sons of Juan Horta, one of Mexico's finest mask makers. We were fortunate to have the brothers visit our Folk Art Extravaganza group on the Monday after the Market.

The display at the International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe.

Juan and his wife Enedina Ramos raised five sons; all of them grew up carving, sanding, and painting masks. By the mid 1980s Juan began to travel to exhibit his masks and demonstrate his carving skill in various parts of the United States. He was awarded first place honors several times by FONART, Mexico's folk art foundation. He died in 2006.

Note the fine workmanship. The brothers use automobile paints because of their shine and finish.

Juan's sons are carrying on the family tradition of carving wooden masks. Like their father, each has his own personal touch and style that personifies an Horta family mask. In addition to traditional dance masks, they enjoy making animal masks and adorning them with hair and whiskers made from the hide of wild boars.

Manuel Abeiro and Modesto.

By the time they were twelve, all the sons were helping their father make wooden masks. They have been carving ever since. Now they also are working with Pat Picciano on Artist in Residence educational tours in the Northeast United States. Over the years. thousands of students and teachers have been able to meet and learn from these visiting artists. Artwork sold during the tours helps support the artists, their families, and communities.

An assortment of masks and other carvings by the brothers that they brought to share with our participants.

Pat Picciano explaining a Danza de Las Pastorelas Shepherd's Play mask.

A devil mask.

The shape of the wood often determines the subject of the artwork.

Pat Picciano with Manuel and Modesto.

To learn more about the Artist in Residence program and other folk artists who are available to work in your school, contact Pat Picciano at info@manosdemexico.com or visit manosdemexico.com.