AUBURN — Margaritas Mexican Restaurant will host visiting artists Manuel Abeiro Horta and Modesto Horta, mask-makers from Tocuaro, Mexico, on Wednesday, Nov. 2.

The demonstration, from 4 to 9 p.m., is free and open to the public.

With nothing more than handmade tools forged by a blacksmith, the brothers will transform a hunk of wood into a work of art based on the traditions of their ancestors.

They come from a family of artisans famous for their traditional masks that are sought after by collectors from around the world.

Manuel Abeiro particularly enjoys carving animal masks and adorning them with hair and whiskers made from the hide of wild boars. Modesto is known for his elaborately carved high relief devil masks. They paint the masks with lacquer-based automobile paints.

Wooden masks, such as the style of the Horta family, are still used in many regions of Mexico during fiestas.

Both brothers have exhibited their masks in exhibitions in the United States and Mexico and have carved a variety of masks that will be displayed at Margaritas. A video presentation portraying life in their rural village will accompany the exhibit.