The Mask Museum, Another Face of Mexico, is a private museum of more than 500 Mexican ceremonial masks. Every mask has been worn in indigenous dance performances, which is what collectors consider the mark of an authentic mask.
The collector is owner and curator Bill LeVasseur, who moved to San Miguel in 1997, and has been collecting masks for as long as he has lived in Mexico. He still travels to often remote indigenous communities to film dance ceremonies and acquire masks. The museum opened to the public in 2006.
Visits are by appointment only and are guided, so call ahead: 415 154 4324 or info@casadelacuesta.com.
Admission is 100 pesos for adults and free for children, students, and school groups; according to the museum, all proceeds go to the Casa de los Angeles day care center.
A few masks from the collection are for sale. The same complex has a folk art gallery, run by Heidi, with work by Huichol, Zapotec, Nahua, Otomi, and Mazahua artists.
The museum’s website is: maskmuseumsma.com