Margaritas Mexican Restaurant in Exeter Presents Wood Carving Demonstration by Folk Artists from Oaxaca, Mexico

Margaritas Mexican Restaurant at 93 Portsmouth Ave. in Exeter will play host to visiting artists Efraín Fuentes and Silvia Gomez, a husband and wife team of folk artists from Oaxaca, Mexico on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 4 to 9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

With nothing more than some simple hand tools and a piece of wood, Efraín will carve whimsical sculptures right before guests’ eyes. An award winning artist that has been featured at the Detroit Institute of Art, Efraín participates in numerous exhibitions throughout Mexico and the United States. He is a third generation carver from the tiny village of San Martín Tilcajete located in the valley of Oaxaca and only a few miles from the ancient Zapotec ruins of Monte Albán. On this tour, his wife Silvia complements her husband’s sculptures with exquisite designs. She decorates the carvings with bright acrylic paints with playful patterns and vivid color combinations that bring the carvings to life.

The presentation in Exeter is one of several scheduled during the next five weeks throughout New England. As a part of Margaritas Education Outreach Program, artists visit not only the restaurants to demonstrate their craft to the public, but also are scheduled to visit several local schools to share Mexican culture, traditions and trade secrets with students and faculty. Margaritas created the program in 1999 to bring artists, carvers, weavers and sculptors to the northeast every year to share their talents with students and Margaritas diners. The series provides a glimpse into the colorful culture and traditions of techniques that date back centuries.

“The visiting artists from Mexico provide Margaritas with a unique opportunity to offer the community an extraordinary experience,” said Founder John Pelletier. “We love giving our guests a chance to dine and watch as award-winning folk artists demonstrate their craft.”

The Margaritas Education Outreach Program was developed to integrate Margaritas’ unique cultural events with local community organizations such as schools and cultural institutions. In addition to the yearly artist visits, Margaritas also works closely with local schools to host student field trips to their restaurants. The presentation is a hands-on, interactive experience for students that reinforces Margaritas’ commitment to multicultural experiences in the local community. These field trips include a video of contemporary Mexican life and craft building and a tour of a living gallery filled with hand-crafted furnishings and folk art. Students are engaged through multisensory interactions with presenters who provide historical information and cooks who prepare authentic Mexican foods.

About Margaritas Mexican Restaurants

Founded in 1986 by John Pelletier, Margaritas Mexican Restaurant Group has 25 locations throughout Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. From colorful authentic décor to a commitment to community relations through field trips and visiting artist demonstrations, Margaritas provides an atmosphere rich with the culture and flavors of Mexico. Margaritas Mexican Restaurants have earned numerous awards and honors, including being named the Best Mexican Restaurant in both New Hampshire and Connecticut. For more information on Margaritas, visit margs.com.