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.

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!!

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.