A village with some of Bali's famous woodcarvers and is a place well worth visiting. Some of the most talented wood carvers on the island live in Mas, and in the workshops there can be found groups of young workers supervised by elderly men, busy chiselling away Topeng masks, with their versatile range of expressions and personalities . Masks are in either modern or traditional form. Galleries exhibit some of their best works. Visitors can wonder through Balinese-style houses to view the carved wooden pillars and the art instructing apprentices.
In the olden days, the fine arts of woodcarving and painting were reserved almost exclusively for royal and religious purposes. Nowadays they are also produced for enjoyment and commerce.

Men of every caste are artisans, and in Mas live some of the most talented. The best known is lda Bagus Nyana, who in 1974 received a high national reward in recognition of his art. For many years he has not sold his beautiful and original carvings, which may be seen at his home. His son, lda Bagus Tilem, is one of several accomplished sculptors working at Mas.

Some carvers specialize in masks for the Topeng and other dances. Do not be surprised when you visit an art shop to find a corps of woodcarvers making statues-the Balinese do everything in groups, and many of the young carvers work under the direction of a master. A carver selects his seasoned block of timber-often, an ebony from Sulawesi then shapes the rough form with an axe. With a mallet and dozens of small chisels, the carving is worked into its finished form and finally smoothened. The polish is nothing more than shoe shine. Again, the sculptors begin young. The most expensive carving is often done by boys of twelve years

The studio of Ida Bagus Tilem, the master woodcarver, can be visited as well as Ida Bagus Geledog and Ida Bagus Anom, two of the most famous mask-carvers in Bali.

Along the main road you can see many home studios where you can watch the artisans at work.