A Fistful of Nichos – Mixed Media Workshop
From Michael deMeng
Join me in Oaxaca, Mexico during Día de Muertos as we create small nichos—personal shrine boxes built from found objects, curious fragments, and the kinds of treasures most people pass by (their loss, our gain).
Inspired by Mexico’s tradition of devotional altars and home shrines, we’ll transform humble materials into meaningful assemblages that honor memory, storytelling, and a touch of the mysterious. These pieces may be small, but they carry big stories—tributes to loved ones, symbols of personal mythology, or simply beautiful oddities given a second life.
Surrounded by the color, candlelight, and atmosphere of Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, we’ll layer paint, texture, and symbolism into shrines that feel both playful and heartfelt. No rules—just intuition, creativity, and a willingness to see magic in unlikely things.
Bring your imagination. Bring your weird little treasures. Let’s build something worth remembering
Dia de Muertos – Day of the Dead
Dia de 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 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 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.
Itinerary
October 27 (Tuesday) – Arrival Day
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 (city center park) to see what’s happening and partake in the delicious
local cuisine.
October 28 (Wednesday) – Lapiztola screen printing workshop
Breakfast at the hotel. New this year… today we head to Lapiztola studio to screenprint our very own custom DeMeng de los Muertos 2026 t-shirts! Lunch with the group. Optional afternoon visit to the San Pablo Cultural center and world class textile museum housed in a 16th century monastery. Evening Free.
October 29 (Thursday) – Workshop Day
Breakfast at the hotel. Fistul of Nichos class begins at 10:00 AM. Break for lunch. Trip to the super huge Benito Juarez indoor market after class. Welcome dinner with the group at one of Oaxaca’s many amazing restaurants.
October 30 (Friday) – Workshop Day
Breakfast at the hotel. Class begins at 10:00 AM. Break for lunch the return to the workshop. After the workshop we’ll visit the home and studio of painter and assemblage artist, Humberto Bautista. This evening, we’ll keep an eye out for one of the many Dia de los Muertos comparsas (parades) going through town.
October 31 (Saturday) – Excursion
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we head to the Etla valley. First visit is to the archeological site in Santa Maria Atzompa which is considered to be an adjacent part of Monte Alban. Then we’ll visit a fantastic pottery school and studio founded by Ana Maria Alarzón. Lunch with the group and then we’ll visit Castillo del Duende aka Elf Castle. A magnificently colorful, creative and kitchy experience with an interesting story. After returning to town, the rest of your evening is free. It’s Halloween night with lots of festivities to enjoy throughout the city.
November 1 (Sunday) – Workshop Day – First day of Dia de Muertos
Breakfast at the hotel. Class begins at 10:00 AM. Break for lunch then return to the workshop. This evening we’ll head to one of the nearby cemeteries to experience the first night of Dia de los Muertos festivities. Rest of your evening is free.
November 2 (Monday) – Workshop Day
Breakfast at the hotel. Class begins at 10:00 AM. Break for lunch at your leisure. Return to the workshop after lunch. At the end of class, we’ll gather around the ofrenda for a mezcal toast to our loved ones now passed. Tonight we’ll visit a small neighborhood cemetery in San Felipe del Agua for a more intimate experience of the holiday.
November 3 (Tuesday) – Excursion
Breakfast at the hotel. Dia de los Muertos festivities continue in some villages including San Antonino Castillo Velasco which is where we’ll head today. First we’ll visit San Martin Tilcajete, a wood carving village best known for the wonderfully colorful and intricately decorated fantastical animal sculptures called Alebrijes. Here we’ll visit the studio and school of well known alebrije artisans Jacobo and Maria Angeles. We’ll have lunch with the group then make our way to San Antonino for their final day of festivities, including candle lit marigold fields. After returning to the city the rest of your evening is free.
November 4 (Wednesday) – Last Full Day
Today is a free day to do your last minute shopping or visit one of the many many wonders of Oaxaca that we did not get to. Day tours can be arranged through the travel agent at the hotel. An optional ceramics painting workshop with Demetrio Aguilar will be available. Farewell dinner with the group at yet another delicious Oaxacan restaurant.
November 5 (Thursday) – Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Fly away home. Thank you for joining us in the wonderful land of Oaxaca! We hope you had a fantastic experience.
- Itinerary is subject to change
- Airfare is not included. When searching for airfares the Oaxaca code is OAX.
- Included: Workshop, hotel for 9 nights, 9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners and guided tours.
- Alcoholic beverages are not included
Price
Single $4,295
Shared Double $3,895
(price if sharing room with another person taking the workshop)
Tag along $2,695
(Someone sharing a room with a single price workshop taker but not taking the workshop. Price includes everything except the workshop.)
Deposit
$750 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot
Remaining balance due August 1st, 2026
Cancellation Policy
$750 deposit will be forfeited for cancellation.
No refunds (unless we are able to fill your space) after August 15, 2026.
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
CLICK HERE to go to registration form
Complete and submit the form to reserve your spot. Mija will then contact you regarding payment options. If you have any questions email Mija at mija.matriz@gmail.com