Art Immersion Oaxaca 2019

Art Immersion Oaxaca

March 22-31, 2019

Join us for 10 Days and 9 nights of art making and touring

in Oaxaca, the creative center of Mexico.

What makes this tour special?

• A small group of like minded creative people (max 10)

• A focus on art and art making in one of the culturally richest areas of Mexico

• An opportunity to study closely with Rogene Mañas and learn her mixed media techniques, 

• Private visits with sculptors, painters, and printmakers in their home studios

• Spectacular meals at some of Oaxaca's best restaurants (we take food very seriously)

 

Plus an unusual, inspiring, soulful, and art-filled home away from home to make art, enjoy Oaxacan cooking, socialize, have fun, meet new friends and rejuvenate. 

Rogene will be teaching her 3rd workshop in Oaxaca - These workshops are designed for people of all skill levels who want to work with mixed media. This year our art making will take inspiration from the traditions of carving and mark making of indigenous Oaxaca. We'll make dimensional art pieces using paper clay, create collage cards of saints, guardians and angels and create retablos and nichos for displaying them with mixed media materials. At the end of our time we’ll have a small exhibition of our work at the Casa.

I T I N E R A R Y  (may be updated as we work out details)

Friday March 22nd - Today we'll gather at our home away from home and get settled.  We'll arrange to pick you up at the airport and have a light meal for you upon arrival

Famous Frida look-alike at a local mercado.

 Saturday March 23rd - Art making in the morning followed by a  home cooked meal at the Casa.  Afternoon outing to explore the town and visit  the Church of Soledad (the patron saint of Oaxaca), Beber Jimenez Museum, our two favorite artisan co-ops and enjoy a fabulous welcome meal and rooftop dining at one of Oaxaca's best restaurants.

Sunday March 24th - Art making in the morning followed by the best Sunday brunch in the City at one of Oaxaca's finest followed by visits to the world class Textile Museum and San Pablo Cultural Center and time in the wonderful zocalo. Dinner at the Casa

Monday March 25th - Morning art making and lunch at the Casa. Afternoon visits to the 20 November Market including stops at the chocolate grinders, the Hall of Smoke, the grasshopper vendors and more. This bustling city market is so alluring.  Find chilies, incense, pinata's, handicrafts, whatever your heart desires. Dinner at the Casa 

Tuesday March 26th - Morning art making followed by picnic lunch at San Augustin Cultural Center and visit to a local papermaking factory in the village of Etla. Dinner at NYT rated and one of my favorite restaurants in Oaxaca El Criollo (meaning Homegrown) where we'll enjoy a 7 course tasting menu.

Wednesday March 27th - Today we'll switch it up and leave in the morning to visit the hilltop village of Atzompa where we'll hike the ancient ruins and visit the charming community museum, followed by a visit to the home of ceramic artist Angelica Vasquez. Part storyteller, part potter, Angelica's demonstration is kind of performance art. Then her children make us a meal, showcasing some of the finest Oaxacan home cooking I have encountered. Late afternoon and evening at the Casa.

Thursday March 28 - Art making in the morning followed by lunch at the Casa and a lovely afternoon stroll into town. A visit to the Rufino Tamayo Museum, collective printmaking studios, and galleries that may include day drinking and mezcal. Get a feel for the richness and diversity of art in Oaxaca. Dinner in town.

Friday March 29th - A full day of folk art and touring. We'll start at  the indigenous market in Ocotlan and taste prehispanic fermented drinks, have our fortunes told by a canary, peruse leather belts, wooden combs, machetes, horse saddles, and shop for the popular Mexican peasant blouses and maybe find the famous chile de agua. On the way back visit makers of the alebrijes, the mythical carved animals and stop in San Bartolo Coyotopec where we'll have a demonstration of making the black pottery the town is famous for. It's a chance to see a thousand year old craft in action. Dinner will be at the Casa.

Saturday March 30th - Our final day and you're free to explore on your own, go shopping or finish up your final art projects. And we can arrange a trip to Mt Alban, horseback riding in the country, a cooking class, a massage and temazcal, or whatever your heart desires. Then an early evening Fiesta at the Casa featuring live music in the gardens and outdoor dining.

Sunday March 31 - Time to pack your bags  and  bid farewell - If needed we'll arrange airport transport. 

 This tour runs March 22-31

Cost is $2,195 

Includes: lodging in a shared room, all meals, transportation to and from the airport, plus in and around Oaxaca, all art instruction, some materials, tour admission fees and guide fees.

Basically all your expenses are covered except your airfare, your alcohol, your shopping purchases and optional tipping for the guides and hotel staff.

 

Optional single supplement is an additional $395  

If your spouse or partner wants to come but doesn't want to do the studio art instruction piece, deduct $295.

Trip Details - 

$2,195 includes pretty much everything (lodging, transportation, meals, guides, entrance fees, etc) Not included is airfare, personal shopping, alcohol, laundry, and tipping, which is totally optional but recommended. All deposits and payments are non refundable so we ask that you be committed to this trip.  Email me or use the contact form to the right of the blog for additional information about deposits and further details and questions you might have. jewel.murphy@gmail.com

To find out more about Rogene and her special brand of artwork and teaching click here. 

To find out more about past trips to Oaxaca, art making and otherwise, click here.

 From Jewel....

This will be my 8th tour and I am not exaggerating when I say they keep getting better and better!

I first traveled to Mexico & Guatemala in 1979 on a wanderlust/walkabout during my college years. Since then I've concentrated my travels on the Yucatan Peninsula, Chiapas,  & Oaxaca and leading tours to Oaxaca since 2011. 

I like gathering together and traveling with packs of inquisitive and engaged, creative people.  I like putting our tourist dollars directly into the hands of local people. I like taking it slow. And I like to eat good food. I like seeing what happens when people from different parts of the world encounter one another. I like building a bridge between my country and our neighbors to the south.  When I'm not otherwise obsessed with all things Mexico, I can be found watering plants, bird watching, swimming and making art in Eugene, Oregon.