African culture shown through ceremonial masks and relics passed down for generations are on display this month at the Spartanburg Art Museum. Click here for important updates to our privacy policy.

They’re not just for Halloween anymore. Expensive, realistic masks — the kind that are the hit of the costume party — are increasingly being used out of season, and not always for laughs.

Masks have been used around the world for centuries for all kinds of religious and cultural celebrations. Some masks honor those who have died, some represent animals or spirits and some simply ...