For centuries, the Boruca Indians of what is now southern Costa Rica have been carving intricate ceremonial masks covered with three-dimensional nature scenes. Within the past few years, the masks and the artisans who make them have been discovered by the wider world, and the masks are growing in popularity among collectors. This happens as the rain forests the Borucans use for material and inspiration are disappearing.
About 75 of the masks are on display through Dec. 18 at the Weedon Island Preserve in St. Petersburg both as art and a reminder of vanishing natural resources. The preserve's Cultural and Natural History Center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The preserve is on Tampa Bay, south of Gandy Boulevard. (727) 453-6500. Free.
