Oaxaca Artventure with Mija Matriz

Oaxaca City

JM
16 reviews
Mar 8 - 17, 2024
Group size: 7 - 14
Oaxaca Artventure with Mija Matriz
Oaxaca City

16 reviews

Mar 8 - 17, 2024
Group size: 7 - 14

About this trip

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.

Terms and Conditions

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 

What’s included

  • Lodging
    As always we stay at the fabulous Casa Colonial, home to folk art, a lush garden, an engaging library and possibly the kindest, most tender staff anywhere.
  • Meals
    Food is important to us. It fuels our creativity. We explore everythin from home cooking to high end restaurants. We have two evenings of meals on your own so you can explore the many food options
  • Guides
    We hire 100 percent born and raised in Oaxaca guides.
  • Transportation
    Airfare and transport to our hotel are not included. Once the tour starts all transport is included
  • Art Instruction
    Mija brings her decades of experience and playful approach to art making as she leads us with daily prompts and projects. The class is suitable for all skill levels
  • Art Materials
    Mija will bring a wide selection of art tools and materials to play with. Each participant will also be given a list of art supplies to bring.
  • More Good Things
    We’ll send you a reading list, some inspiring art videos and our Oaxaca food and shopping guide. Plus everyone gets a handmade journal.

What’s not included

  • Airfare & Hotel Transpo
    You will be responsible to get yourselves to Oaxaca city. There are multiple daily flights from Mexico City. In the past Dallas (American), Houston (United) and LA (Volaris) have had direct flights.
  • Tips & Gratuities
    Tipping hotel staff and drivers is customary but not required.
  • Alchohol
  • Laundry
    The casa has laundry services available at your expense.
  • Personal Shopping
    Most people budget $500 to $5000 or more. Oaxaca is full of beautiful rugs, contemporary clothing and artisan goods. There is a lot of temptation.

Available Packages

With Art Instruction
$2,595
Deposit:$500
Partner without Art Instruction
$2,395
Deposit:$500

Available options

Single room supplement
$395


Itinerary

Day 1
Gathering

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. 

Your Organizer


JM
Jewel Murphy
16 reviews
I’m an award winning floral designer and shopkeeper indulging my late in life wanderlust. Sharing Mexico with others is my love language. I believe in slow travel, cultivating authentic cross cultural experiences, reciprocity, eating well and having fun. With two decades of travel experience, I’ve carefully curated my tours to take you places you might otherwise never see and to visit people who are world class artisans and caretakers of their cultural heritage.

Reviews

EH
This was an amazing and transformative 70th birthday trip for me. We returned almost two weeks ago, but today I still feel the effects of our time together. We shared an immersive art experience woven together by the brilliance of Mija and Jewel. Seamlessly, we moved from the beautiful Oaxacan villages, to the urban gems of Oaxacan City where we tasted, touched and experienced the authentic culture of this beautiful region. We started as individuals seeking our own intentions for this adventure and by the end of our time together had formed into one collective bonded by beauty, art, food, culture and the spirit of the Oaxacan people. We clearly saw the magic of the area through the lens of Mija and Jewel who are deeply rooted in the landscape of this area and its people. In my opinion, the only way to begin to understand the culture and the arts of this region is to be guided by our dear cultural creatives that are seasoned devotees to this area. All of our guides and artists were local and authentic and shared not only their artistry but also a deeper sense of meaning. I feel grateful to have found this artventure when on a whim and in need of a change of perspective, I googled, “best art retreat in Mexico”. Google was right, it was the best art retreat I could have imagined. Thank you Mija, Jewel and wonderful Cohort. Ellen/ Portland, OR.
By Ellen H for Oaxaca Artventure with Mija Matriz on Apr 01, 2024
It was a great trip full of exploration and exposure to other cultures and experiences. Mija brings a caring attitude, joy & curiosity to the art experience and a sense of fun and adventure to the touring portion. Her intimate knowledge of Oaxaca deepened my appreciation for this magical place. I highly recommend!!
By Susan R for Oaxaca Artventure with Mija Matriz on Mar 22, 2024
The trip with Jewel and Mija was beyond what I had hoped for. It was intimate, well planned, easy, real, and so much fun. Because of Mija and Jewel's connections we met and experienced local artists, cooperatives, and community settings that we would not ordinarily have access to. On at least 4 mornings prior to breakfast local artisans came to the Casa where we stayed to display and sell their work. It was fun to meet them, learn about their craft and support their work. Everything was curated from a place of authenticity and with the goal of offering up real and heartfelt experiences. The schedule provided a good balance between studio time and out and about time, as well as some free time thoughtfully folded in. There is nothing that I would change about the trip. It was fabulous on many levels.
By barbara c for Oaxaca Artventure with Mija Matriz on Mar 20, 2024
Jewel and Mija made this the trip of a life time. Learning the life of the Oaxaca people and their culture. We visited areas that the average tourist probably wouldn't have seen. Being involved with the communities. Accomodations were good and the staff were lovely at Casa Colonial. Mija provided the enthusiasm and demonstration for all levels of art students. I felt like an artist when I departed! I look forward to my next trip back to Oaxaca.
By Karen O for Oaxaca Artventure with Mija Matriz on Mar 19, 2024
This was my first trip to Oaxaca and I am already planning a return. It was beyond words incredible. The other participants and our leaders made the trip so special and memorable. I enjoyed myself immensely. Personally, I struggle on trips when I am fully scheduled, so the first few days of going to multiple places on a timeline were a bit hard for me socially, emotionally, and mentally. However, given the distance we traveled I understand why it was arranged that way. I would pay more to have it more spread out and have half of the day out (ex. 9-1pm travel to 1-2 places)/ half day in studio (2-6pm studio time). I loved all of the places we went so I cannot say leave some of them out! The trip was so perfectly curated and the artisans were SO amazing. I loved how well taken care of I felt, from the delicious meals, to the massage at the casa, to the check-ins from Jewel/ Mija, and the amazing studio space/ supplies/ instruction. Accommodations-10/10. Meals at the Casa 10/10 Meals as a group out 5/10 Transportation 9/10 Jewel and Mija 11/10 Jane, Amado, Luz, and All Staff 11/10
By Angel R for Art Retreat with Mija Matriz on Apr 12, 2023
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