We had so much fun the first time, we decided to do it again. Join cultural curator, Jewel Murphy and mixed media artist, Mija Matriz, for nine glorious days enjoying the magical city of Oaxaca with a group of like minded creatives. We'll immerse ourselves in the contemporary arts and culture of the city and the indigenous wisdom of the villages then bring this inspiration to our creation in our light-filled studio. Mija will lead us with daily journal prompts and artistic practices for creating in our journals. Our focus will be on mixed media collage and this year’s special outings include encounters at a sustainable paper making factory, a hands on natural dye demonstration, a visit to the private home of the late Mexican maestro painter and collage artist Rodolfo Morales and learning about the collective nature of printmaking at the workshop Subterraneous. 

 We’ll be staying at the wonderful Casa Colonial, a classic hacienda near the center of town with lovely gardens, a fantastic art collection, serene library, beautiful dining room amazing staff and our own private art studio.

Our itinerary is carefully crafted to have both structured and free time. It is also subject to change based upon availability and opportunity. 

To learn more about Mija and her artwork visit her website www.mijamatriz.com.

DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS

Your $500 deposit is non-refundable and holds your place. Final non-refundable payment is due 30 days before the start of the trip. Please be committed to this trip when you sign up. Failure to make your final payment in 30 days before the trip may forfeit your deposit and your place. We only offer refunds if the tour is cancelled because of government imposed restrictions and or lockdowns in which case there there will be a full refund. This is the rare exception to our no refund policy.. 

INSURANCE -

We recommend trip interruption insurance for your own peace of mind because things come up that you can’t even imagine. Not all trip insurance is created equal.  We have had good experiences with www.travelinsure.com 

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Today is a travel today and we’ll gather for a light meal in the evening and get to know one another. We’ll set our intentions and share our dreams for the trip. 

Off to the community of San Agustin Etla where we spend a half day contemplating how sunshine becomes plants then becomes paper while making our own to use later in our collages. Afternoon is a picnic lunch and a visit to the Arts Center - a magnificent old textile mill that has been repurposed as a a sustainable arts center. Dinner at the Casa.

Our morning is spend in our light filled studio where Mija gives us ideas and permission to play as we clip, cut, paste and collage into our journals. Early afternoon we head down to eat at Oaxaca‘s "see and be seen" brunch experience. Followed by a visit to the zocalo and time wandering the colonial streets. Dinner on your own.

We spend the morning  learning about the collective work of Subterráneos (Underground) Printmaking Collective and their amazing mission that has not only enlivened the streets of Oaxaca but  has taught hundreds of people to make prints . Rooftop lunch followed by more time in the studio and dinner at the Casa.. 

Today we head out to the ruins of Mitla - a place that inspired DH Lawrence , the weaver Annie Albers and her husband the colorist Josef Albers. We’ll have time to sketch and ponder these ancient designs. Then we head to Teotitlan de Valle, the most prosperous indigenous village in Oaxaca and  have a traditional Zapotec meal at local chef Reyna Mendoza’s house followed by a visit to our favorite weaving family. They will demonstrate the process of making a rug from beginning to end. Zapotec magic is what they call it. We couldn’t agree more. Dinner at the Casa.

Getting our collage on - a full day of art making in the studio. Continuing to explore mixed media and collage techniques to add to our journals. Late afternoon we head off to  a visit to San Pablo Cultural Center and the world class Museo Textil followed by dinner at a favorite taco place. Head over to the zocalo for all ages dancing after dinner should you choose. 

Our final studio day where we finish up our journals and share our work. Late afternoon we head down to the bustling markets of Benito Juárez and 20 November where we take in the Hall of Smoke, the chocolate grinders, and all manner of homemade foods and crafts. Dinner on your own - go hip cuisine or street food - your choice.. 

Today we head out of town and visit the bustling Friday market in Ocotlan where we sample all manner of unusual food, and drink and get a feeling for the local crafts. Then we’ll visit the murals and hopefully the home of famed local painter and collage artist Rodolfo Morales. If we’re lucky, we’ll see his studio exactly as he left it right up to the day he died. Lunch in a beautiful outdoor setting followed by a visit to a women's cooperative of alebrije artists who both carve and paint. Dinner at the Casa. 

Today we’ll finish up our collage work and have free time to do last  minute shopping, take a temazcal, visit Mt Alban or continúe making art. In the evening we put on your festive finery and celebrate with an all out fiesta with live music and fireworks (for real). We come as tourists, we leave as a community of friends.

We‘ll help you to arrange transport to the airport for your flight home or you can stay on and keep the adventure going. We hope you leave with a renewed  creative spark and deeper faith in humanity. We love sharing Mexico with you!