Plein Air Painting & Cultural Tour
| Where: | Oaxaca, Mexico |
| When: | November-July |
| Duration: | 8 days |
| Group Size | 6- 8 |
| Price Range: | $3,900-4,400 |
Overview
Take Your Blank Canvas to Sacred Places
And Discover the Beauty and Diversity of Oaxaca
The stimulation of a different country can bring out the best in an artist. Stunning scenery, beautiful buildings, unusual sounds, sweet aromas, new languages, authentic local food and lovely new faces will be your inspiration to create and paint.
This 8 day tour is a creative combination of touring and painting that is open to all levels of painters, the novice or the professional. You will have the opportunity to paint almost every day in the morning or afternoon depending on our relaxed but organized tour schedule. Dawn has developed deep connections with artists and the locals so that you will be meeting and painting some of the most creative people and places.
You will visit the awe-inspiring pyramids, meet local indigenous people, taste the unique flavors of Oaxacan cuisine, visit various art museums and participate in the artistic and cultural traditions of Oaxaca. Many of the activities are unavailable to the casual tourist. Dawn Feuerberg, the owner & founder of Aurora Adventures has been leading exclusive authentic tours in Oaxaca since 1995 and ensures that the entire experience is personal, intimate and one of a kind.
Excursions
We have carefully selected the following excursions to help you discover the beauty and diversity of Oaxaca. No trip to Oaxaca would be complete without some time spent exploring a few of the region’s fascinating villages, and wandering through several of the area’s exotic native markets. Within a 50 kilometer (30 miles) radius of Oaxaca City are dozens of small towns, many of which specialize in a particular art tradition that has been passed down for generations.
Excursions list & descriptions
All excursions are included in the cost of your tuition.
Click on each item below for a full description of each Excursion.
On our return from Monte Alban, we will visit a small village known for it’s sculptured pottery that many of its citizens produce. The muñecas, or figures, are fanciful and intricate. This type of pottery has become a unique and very collectible art form as well as a beautiful addition to any decor. You will be given a demonstration by world famous ceramist Irma Blanco.
This tour is designed to fit your painting pleasure. On this excursion we will first visit a small Zapotec indigenous village known for it’s production of world famous colorful rugs. (tapetes).
We will spend the afternoon visiting the homes of these Zapotec weavers and walking the cobblestone streets of this village nestled in the mountains of the central valley of Oaxaca. You will be treated to a traditional Zapotec meal before departing.
This all day excursion first begins with a visit to a market town just south of Oaxaca City in the Central Valley. The town’s artisans are world famous for their black pottery (barro negro). You will then be treated to a beautiful lunch featuring one of the most famous dishes in Mexico, Chile en Nogada.
The last stop of the day will be at a small village known for its artisans that produce the fanciful wood carvings called Alebrijes. Participants of the program will have the opportunity to do an alebrije workshop and paint a wood “animalito”
Recently restored, the 1883 textile hacienda founded by Jose Zorrila Trapaga was converted into the most beautiful Centre for the Arts of San Agustin (CASA). This is an outstanding contribution led by Maestro Francisco Toledo, to open a cultural opportunity for all interested in the many art workshops the center offers. Also, it brings extraordinary temporary exhibitions for all to marvel at. We will spend a beautiful afternoon visiting this cultural art center and the town of Etla. It is a very picturesque town, the perfect place to pull out your easel and paint in the peaceful rolling hills.
The old hacienda’s main access connected to the former hydroelectric power plant which was converted into Arte Papel as Maestro Toledo adapted old water pipes and a power plant to make this handmade paper workshop. Tree bark, plant fibers, natural-colored cotton and other natural dyes are made into first class paper products
Location:
Oaxaca, Mexico
Highlights
Plen-air painting in Oaxaca
Bring your blank canvas to ancient and colonial Oaxaca, Mexico to create memories that will last a life time. You will be guided to beautiful landscapes and archetecture that are begging to be captured by your brush. We take care of all the logistics and obtain the needed permits to paint certain historical sites. And we will collaborate with local renowned artists to curate a unique alliances for you and other participants.
This opportunity is open to everyone no matter your level of artistry. (Friends and famiiy that are non-painters are welcome to join this adventure. There will be alternate experiences for them
Accommodations
Boutique Hotel in Downtown Oaxaca
We will be staying in the heart of the colonial center of downtown Oaxaca in a beautiful boutique hotel. The hotel is within is steps away from many places of interest, parks, restaurants and cafes. The rooms are double occupancy. There is wifi at the hotel and a beautiful abundant breakfast will be available daily.
Inclusions
What’s Included
(This is an all-inclusive tour with no hidden costs.)
- 7 nights shared accommodation in charming boutique hotel in colonial downtown
- An abundant breakfast daily
- 7 beautiful exquisite main meals
- Welcome reception and dinner
- 4 Behind-the-scenes excursions with fully insured luxury transportation
- 2 one-of-a-kind walking tours of museums, markets, churches, chocolate factories and gardens
- Entrance fees to archeological sites and museums
- 5 or more opportunities to paint the beautiful landscape and colonial hot spots.
- Mezcal tasting
- Visit to the Center for the arts (Casa) in Etla
- Visit to home studio of renowned artists.
- Monte Alban pyramids excursion
- Visit to several famous artisans home and their workshops ( black pottery, alebrije art, rug weaving, silk weaving, ceramics)
- Dynamic expert onsite director and local guides
- Airport transfer to and from Oaxaca City Airport
- 4-day painter’s workshop with Saim Caglayan.
What’s not included
Airfare to and from Oaxaca, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, Guide gratuities, Excess baggage charges, Alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, Airport taxes and items of a personal nature such as souvenirs, laundry fees, immunizations or insurance of any kind.
Travel
If you are planning to travel with the group, contact us immediately to find out the specifics of the group flight. The sooner you make your reservation the more likely you will be able to travel with the group. Otherwise you may make other travel arrangements.
Important Notes
This program is based on a minimum of 8 participants. In the event that the program does not fill, the trip will be cancelled and any deposits and payments fees will be returned to the participants.
Safe & Secure Travel
Each program includes:
- Insured, comfortable and air conditioned vehicles are provided for transportation in the host country.
- Optional International Medical Travel Insurance for each participant.
- Pre-departure advising
- Pre-departure and onsite orientations
- Risk Management & Crisis management plan
Non Painters
Not a painter but want to join us
If you would like to join us but would rather not participate in the painter workshop, we can accommodate you and your needs and find alternative cultural events and activities for you to do. This is a nice option for if your friend or partner is coming to paint and you would like to join the tour.
Cost
CUSTOMIZE THIS TOUR!
You pick the dates, the budget, the pace, the focus…
Sign up Now with a DepositCustomize Your adventure!Call Now 805.540.1762Click here to view our Cancellation Policy
About Your Guides
Dawn has been leading tailor made adventures since 1995. At a very young age she began to travel on her own seeking out and connecting with the aboriginal, the indigenous and the authentic local life abroad. For her, traveling is all about connecting to the soul of the region and its people. She has dedicated most of her life to offering alternative, independent and unconventional travel experiences.
She is a a master tour guide, meditation teacher, a Spanish professor of 27 years and mother of two teenage daughters.