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Plein Air Painting & Cultural Tour

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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.

Where: Oaxaca, Mexico
When: November-July
Duration: 8 days
Group Size  6- 8
Price: $TBD
Customize this Adventure
  • Browse this page for ideas and information
  • Call and tell us about your desired changes
  • We’ll handcraft a tour that works for you
CALL 805-540-1762

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.

First we will visit Monte Alban, a massive complex of pyramids, terraces and crumbling temples that was founded in 500 A.D. This ancient ceremonial site is considered to be one of the most important examples of pre-Columbian culture in all of México.

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).

Nearly every home is filled with family members who card, spin and color wool, often using hand-gathered natural dyes.
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.

We will go out to a small village and meet with one of the few female Mezcaleras ( one who makes mezcal). She will share in the process of her small batch wild agave blends. On our return to Oaxaca we will visit a master artist and village known for it’s alebrije (fanciful wood carvings) art. Exquisite lunch included of Chile en Nogada ( a Mexican favorite only served on special occasions).

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

Off the beaten path and definitely a must-see, Santo Domingo Yanhuitlan is a small Mixtec pueblo located about an hour-and-a-half north of Oaxaca city. It is the home of an extraordinary Dominican Church whose massive stone architecture is reminiscent of the finest European churches, complete with flying buttresses and elegant arched ceilings. Six thousand indigenous people constructed it beginning in the mid-16th century. The church is one of the most important colonial sites in Mexico. The hillside terraces of red clay in Yanhuitlan make a perfect back drop to paint!

Location:

Oaxaca, Mexico

Off the beaten path and definitely a must-see, Santo Domingo Yanhuitlan is a small Mixtec pueblo located about an hour-and-a-half north of Oaxaca city. It is the home of an extraordinary Dominican Church whose massive stone architecture is reminiscent of the finest European churches, complete with flying buttresses and elegant arched ceilings. Six thousand indigenous people constructed it beginning in the mid-16th century. The church is one of the most important colonial sites in Mexico. The hillside terraces of red clay in Yanhuitlan make a perfect back drop to paint!

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
    • 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
    • 4-day painter’s workshop with Saim Caglayan.

Travel

Safe & Secure Travel

It is your responsibility to book your own flight and transportation. However, we know the best airlines & flight times to this destination. Once you have booked your custom adventure, we will connect you with our local travel agent to arrange the booking of your flight so that you can travel with the group. 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.

Each program includes:
  • Pre-departure advising
  • Pre-departure and onsite orientations
  • Risk Management & Crisis management plan
note: Each participant is required to purchase  Trip Cancellation & Medical Insurance.

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.

Customize this tour

For a Curated Authentic Experieance

We take care of ALL logistics!
You choose the dates, the focus & the place.

CALL 805-540-1762
It all starts by either making a phone call or by submitting an online inquiry form. We will then work with you to understand exactly what it is you are looking for from your vacation.

MAKE AN INQUIRY

Dawn Feuerberg (AKA Aurora in Spanish)

Owner and founder of Aurora Adventures, LLC
Dawn has been leading & designing customized tours since 1995. She has a master’s in Spanish Literature and taught at the college level for over 20 years. She is a yoga practitioner of 30 years, a meditation guide, a surfer and mother of 2 daughters. For the past decade she has joyfully taught non-dual tantra meditation, mindfulness meditation, goddess energy meditation and shamanic rituals. She is a community builder and leads full moon ceremonies on the Central Coast of California. Traveling for her is all about the connections.  At a very young age she began to travel alone seeking out and connecting with the aboriginal, the indigenous and the authentic local life abroad. Often times finding herself being the only non-native in the region. Her longstanding relationships abroad give her clients access into an enriching, in depth local experience. She is both well connected and enthusiastic about sharing her access with others. She values the genuine art of discovery travel for all ages and creates flexible itineraries that provide opportunities to make new discoveries.
Read full bio…

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