Oaxaca Carnival 2025
A Mixed Media Art Experience with Michael deMeng
During Carnival Celebrations in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Los Sagrados Animales
Oaxaca, Mexico
Feb 26 thru March 7, 2025
Carnival in the Central Valley
The town of San Martín Tilcajete, about 20 miles outside of Oaxaca City, is well known for its vibrant alebrije art (wooden carvings of colorfully painted fantastical creatures) and Carnival festivities, also known as Dance of the Devils. In the lead up to Shrove Tues (aka Fat Tuesday) the town celebrates Carnaval, a tradition rooted in prehispanic Zapotec culture, where revelers run through town in costume, with bodies covered in oil or paint, wearing devilish and otherworldly handmade masks. These festive creatures are called Aceitados, the oiled ones, and are known to cause mischief. Some of the colors used to paint their bodies have meanings. Black represents the underworld; yellow represents the earthly world; and red represents infinity. The colors are prepared with different materials: black is made using a mixture of carbon and oil; the yellow is made with yellow corn, clay and cooking oil; the red is made with brick dust and oil. The celebrations include parades, bands, costumes, and a satirical wedding and there are Carnaval festivities to be enjoyed throughout the central valley villages during this time. We will not only enjoy the festivities but also allow them to influence creations in the studio.
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 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. We’ll spend several days exploring this culturally rich, architecturally beautiful city, visiting traditional and contemporary artist’s studios, taking street art and mural tours, partaking in the Carnaval festivities, enjoying the out-of-this world cuisine and making our own Oaxaca inspired mixed media master pieces to take home.
The Workshop – Los Sagrados Animales
A message from Michael…
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. Oaxaca is a magical place…it’s a place where the unexpected is around every corner. A good example of this is the sleepy little artisan village of San Martin Tilcajete. In this small Oaxacan village spirit animals are an inspiration for the celebration of Carnaval, where celebrants don crazy, beastly costumes and let out collective roars throughout the day.
So with this as our inspiration let’s dive into the mystical world of spirit animals by crafting intricate shrines using found objects and the art of assemblage. Inspired by the rich tradition of saints and santos, we’ll reimagine these sacred icons, infusing them with the essence of beasts that speak to our souls. Unleash your creativity and explore the depths of symbolism as we honor the spirits that guide and inspire us.
Itinerary
Feb 26 (Wednesday) – 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.
Feb 27 (Thursday) – Breakfast. Today we’ll enjoy a walking tour of the city center where we’ll view stunning cathedrals and colonial architecture, visit the zocalo (the bustling city center park), see street art, visit galleries and the renowned Rufino Tumayo cultural museum. Lunch with the group. Welcome dinner at 7pm.
Feb 28 (Friday) – Breakfast at the hotel. Class begins at 10:00 AM. Break for lunch at your leisure. Return to the workshop. After class we’ll head to the first parade to kick off Carnival week. Be prepared to see some strange and wonderful sights. Rest of the evening free.
March 1 (Saturday) – Breakfast at the hotel. Class begins at 10:00 AM. Break for lunch at your leisure. Return to the workshop. After class we’ll head to another parade in celebration of Carnival where colorful costumes and characters abound. Rest of the evening free.
March 2 (Sunday) – Breakfast at the hotel. Today we’ll travel to the beautiful village of San Augustin Etla. We’ll visit the home gallery of Marietta Bernstorff to meet the women fabric artists of San Francisco Tanivet and see the stories they tell in cloth. Lunch with the group and then we’ll visit the paper making studio of Alberto Valenzuela where we’ll hear his animated story of paper’s migration to North America and make some lovely handmade paper of our own. Evening free.
March 3 (Monday) – Breakfast at the hotel. Class begins at 10:00 AM. Break for lunch at your leisure. Return to the workshop. After class, we’ll head to the Jalatlaco neighborhood for a mural tour. Rest of the evening free.
March 4 (Tuesday) – Breakfast at the hotel. Today we meet in the lobby by 9am then we’re off to the village of San Martin Tilcajete for their Carnival festivities. This village is well known for their colorful alebrije sculptures, fantastical creatures carved from wood and painted in colorful designs. Sue recommends wearing dark clothes or bringing a change of clothes in case you get a hug from one of the oily boys. Lunch at Almu, a lovely outdoor restaurant located on a copal tree farm. Then we’ll visit the Aguilar family, who are known for their wonderful ceramic art. Evening free.
March 5 (Wednesday) – Breakfast at the hotel. Class begins at 10:00 AM. Break for lunch at your leisure. Return to the workshop. End of class gathering and critique with Michael at 4pm. Evening free. Live music and dancing on the zocalo tonight.
March 6 (Thursday) – Last full day of the tour. You’re free to further explore and do last minute shopping. Day tours to archaeological sites and artisan villages can be arranged through the travel agent at the hotel. Farewell dinner with the group.
March 7 (Friday) – Breakfast at the hotel. Fly away home day. Thank you for exploring Oaxaca with us!
- 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, 2 dinners and guided tours.
- Alcoholic beverages are not included
Price
Single $3,995
Shared Double $3,595
(Price if sharing room with another person taking the workshop)
Tag along $2,695
(Price if sharing a room with a workshop taker but not taking the workshop. Includes everything except the workshop. Tag along rate is in addition to the single rate for the workshops taker. Total for workshop taker and tag along sharing a room is $6,690.)
Deposit
$750 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot
Balance due January 1, 2025
Cancellation Policy
$750 deposit will be forfeited for cancellation.
No refunds (unless we are able to fill your space) after January 1, 2025.
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 deposit and payment options. If you have any questions email Mija at mija.matriz@gmail.com