DeMeng de los Muertos 2024
A Mixed Media Art Experience with Michael deMeng
During Dia de los Muertos in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Oct 25 to Nov 3, 2024
Dia de los Muertos – Day of the Dead
Dia de los Muertos is one of the most beautiful celebrations in all of Mexico, and Oaxaca is one of the best places to experience it firsthand. Oaxaca, a UNESCO world heritage site, is a vibrant, welcoming, historical and culturally rich city in southern Mexico. Oaxaca has become a world class destination. Pick up any travel magazine and they will have lists of the 10 best things to do in Oaxaca…from eating unique regional cuisine and mezcal tastings to visiting the ancient archaeological sites and lovely artisan villages. It is home to some of the finest artists in the world and abounds with ceramics, textiles, tin art, woodcarvings, jewelry, and so much more. There is also a prolific contemporary art scene with many murals, printmaking studios, photography and modern art galleries to enjoy. The vibrant atmosphere, fabulous food, and friendly people make Oaxaca an amazing place to visit.
Throughout our stay, people around the city will be getting ready for Dia de los Muertos, one of the most beautiful and treasured celebrations in Mexico. Many homes and businesses will be creating ofrendas (altars) and preparing for the festivities. Every day and night the city is buzzing with excitement that spills into the streets. The photo opportunities are endless. Each time you head out the door for the Zocalo or just a walk around the neighborhood, something new will catch your eye. Storefronts decorated with flowers, a school Catrina costume competition, comparsas (parades) winding through the streets with people in costumes, traditional dancers, lively bands and so much more.
While it has become a time of big celebration, the true spirit of the holiday is a reunion of the living with the dead, who come back to visit their loved ones once a year. It is traditionally a family gathering, a time to remember and celebrate those who have come before us and are no longer among the living. The heart of Muertos continues to live with families in their homes and in the cemeteries where they gather to connect with their departed loved ones. We will build our own ofrenda and visit a local cemetery to witness some of the magic of this beautiful season of remembrance.
The Workshop – Loteria: Found Object Allegories
From Michael
So, I used to think Mexican Loteria Cards were like mystical fortune-telling tools, predicting love or possibly summoning El Diablo (the devil). Turns out, they’re really used as a more vibrant form of bingo as well as a learning tool for kids. But regardless of their use they are unquestionably iconic in terms of Mexican culture. With this in mind, this year’s Oaxaca Day of the Dead workshop will use these as our artistic template. We are going to assemble our own funky 3-D Loteria cards using random bits of this, that and the other thing, and a touch of paint! You can create as many as you like with the card subjects of your choosing. Have a bit a fun…a watermelon card might be a bit ho-hum so why not go for El Vampiro or perhaps something peculiar like El Pepinillo Bailando (the Dancing Pickle). The world is your oyster…(La Ostra…just in case you were wondering).
Itinerary
October 25 (Friday) – Arrival day in Oaxaca. It takes all day for the various flights to arrive so we don’t have any big plans. Just get there and start enjoying the city after a long journey. You can enjoy a walk to the Zocalo (main square) to see what’s happening and partake in the delicious local cuisine.
October 26 (Saturday) – Breakfast. Today we’ll do a walking tour to get acquainted with el centro, the city center. We’ll view stunning cathedrals and colonial architecture, visit the zocalo, museums and a local printmaking collective for a demo. Lunch with the group. Evening comparsa (parade) to open the Dia de los Muertos festivities. Welcome dinner with the group.
October 27 (Sunday) – Breakfast. Class begins at 10:00 AM. Break for lunch at your leisure. Return to the workshop. This eve we’ll head out in search of more parades and festivities. Rest of the evening is free.
October 28 (Monday) – Breakfast. Today we head to the village of San Andres Huayapam, where the delicious, pre-Hispanic corn and cacao drink tejate was created. We’ll visit the home studio of artists Chucho Lopez Gonzales who creates monos (large paper mache sculptures) and Jean Foss, a painter. Then it’s lunch at the delicious Luz de Luna, where we can try tejate for ourselves. Next we’ll stroll through an orchid sanctuary, home to over 500 varieties of orchids. Evening free.
October 29 (Tuesday) – Breakfast. Class begins at 10:00 AM. Break for lunch at your leisure. Return to the workshop. At 5pm we’ll head to Casa Crespo for a class on making Oaxacan chocolate. Rest of evening free.
October 30 (Wednesday) – Breakfast. Today our excursion takes us to the village of Cuilapan de Guererro and an abandoned monastery. Then the weekly village market of Villa de Zaachila and we’ll visit the studio of a barro negro (black pottery) artist in San Bartolo Coyotepec. Lunch with the group. Evening free.
October 31 (Thursday) – Breakfast. Class begins at 10:00 AM. Break for lunch at your leisure. Return to the workshop. Evening free.
It’s Halloween night so there will be lots of festivities to enjoy along the Alcala and on the Zocalo. Paint your face, wear a costume… a great night to join the fun.
November 1 (Friday) – First day of Dia de los Muertos
Breakfast. Class begins at 10:00 AM. Break for lunch at your leisure. Return to the workshop. Class critique with Michael in late afternoon. Dinner on your own then we’ll meet at the hotel and head to El Panteon General, the big city cemetery. It’s a scene!
November 2 (Saturday) – Farewell brunch with the group. Rest of day free to explore and do last minute shopping. Day tours can be arranged through the travel agent at the hotel. In the evening, we’ll visit a small neighborhood cemetery in San Felipe del Agua for a more intimate experience of the holiday. Rest of the night is free.
November 3 (Sunday) – Breakfast. Fly away home!
- Itinerary is subject to change
- Airfare is not included. When searching for airfares the Oaxaca code is OAX.
- Included: Workshop, hotel, 9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, welcome dinner, farewell brunch and guided tours.
- Alcoholic beverages are not included
Price
Single $3,895
Shared Double $3,495
(price if sharing room with another person taking the workshop)
Tag along $2,295
(Someone sharing a room with a workshop taker but not taking the workshop. Price includes everything except the workshop.)
Deposit
$750 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot
Balance due August 1st, 2024
Cancellation Policy
$750 deposit will be forfeited for cancellation.
No refunds (unless we are able to fill your space) after August 15, 2024.
If the workshop is canceled you will receive a full refund.
Hotel Information
Holiday Inn Centro Historico
Diaz Quintas No. 115
Centro Oaxaca
www.holidayinn.com/Oaxaca
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Check out Rick Steves for recommendations and advice on types of coverage.
www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning/travel-insurance
To Enroll
Complete and submit the form below to reserve your spot. Mija will then contact you regarding payment options. If you have any questions email Mija at mija.matriz@gmail.com