Oaxaca is a place where creativity blooms—from vibrant markets and colorful streets to historic architecture and handcrafted pottery. This retreat invites you to slow down, immerse yourself in the culture, paint from life, and find inspiration through daily art sessions, local cuisine, meaningful connections, and unforgettable experiences.
Approximately one month prior to the retreat, Wendy will provide a detailed supply list so guests can prepare in advance. She will guide you in painting the flower markets, landscapes, architecture, and pottery still lifes that make Oaxaca such an inspiring place to create.
A creative retreat for artists who want to slow down, observe, and paint from life in one of Mexico’s most inspiring destinations. This isn’t about rushing to finish paintings or striving for perfection. Each day begins with an experience—wandering flower markets, exploring colorful streets, discovering local artisans, or taking in Oaxaca’s beautiful landscapes—before returning to the studio to translate those moments into meaningful works of art.
Each painting session is inspired by the places we explore together throughout the week.
Wendy’s class combines demonstrations with personalized instruction in a relaxed, encouraging environment. Working primarily in acrylics, you’ll paint from life, photographs, and thoughtfully arranged still lifes while developing composition, color, and confidence. Artists of all experience levels and mediums are welcome.
Whether you’re an experienced painter or simply looking to reconnect with your creativity, this retreat offers time to slow down, sharpen your observational skills, and find inspiration in everyday beauty. You’ll return home with a collection of paintings, new techniques, lasting friendships, and a deeper appreciation for painting the world around you.
WENDY DAVIS
Wendy is an award-winning, full-time artist from Waco, Texas, with more than 25 years of experience creating and teaching art. She is passionate about helping others develop their artistic skills while building the confidence to discover their own creative voice. Wendy is also a frequent exhibitor at Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Market, where she will be hosting her annual art fair this fall.
Her painting sessions combine demonstrations with personalized guidance in a relaxed, encouraging environment that inspires creativity and helps every artist grow.
“I believe every person has the ability to make art they love and can enjoy the process of creating.“ — Wendy
OAXACA, MEXICO
Oaxaca is a place where art, culture, and tradition are woven seamlessly into everyday life. Color spills from every corner—from hand-painted tiles and vibrant textiles to bustling markets filled with flowers, chiles, and handmade crafts. Colonial architecture stands beside ancient Zapotec and Mixtec roots, creating a city that feels deeply historic yet alive with creative energy. Music drifts through plazas, artisans work in open studios, and centuries-old traditions continue to shape the rhythms of daily life.
For those drawn to creativity, Oaxaca is an endless source of inspiration. Imagine wandering markets to study color and pattern, learning directly from master artisans in nearby villages, or finding artistic spark in the textures of clay, wood, and natural dyes. Food is an art form here as well, with rich moles, fresh tortillas, and mezcal shared around communal tables. Whether you’re exploring workshops, soaking in the region’s layered history, or simply observing life unfold in the streets, Oaxaca invites you to slow down, engage your senses, and connect deeply with a culture where creativity is not separate from life—it is life.
Immerse yourself in a hands-on indigo dyeing workshop rooted in Oaxacan tradition. You’ll learn about the history of indigo in the region while preparing the dye bath and exploring both solid dyeing and shibori resist techniques on cotton. Create a one-of-a-kind hand-dyed piece—napkins, a small table runner, or a scarf—to bring home.
Enjoy a full-day cultural excursion into the village of San Bartolo Coyotepec, home of Oaxaca’s famous black clay pottery. Visit local workshops to see how artisans shape, polish, and fire their pieces, while learning about the history, symbolism, and evolution of this distinctive craft passed down through generations.
Travel to San Martín Tilcajete, a village celebrated for its vivid alebrijes. Meet local artisans and learn the step-by-step process of transforming copal wood into imaginative, hand-carved figures. Discover the stories, symbols, and techniques behind these colorful works of folk art, and see how tradition and creativity intertwine.
Delve into the world of mezcal with a guided tasting that highlights Oaxaca’s deep connection to agave. Learn about different agave varieties, traditional production methods, and regional influences while sampling a thoughtfully selected range of mezcals that reveal the spirit’s depth, nuance, and sense of place.
Visit the town of Etla to explore its artistic and cultural heritage, with a focus on traditional paper making. Tour a local workshop to learn how natural fibers are transformed into handmade paper, gaining insight into the craftsmanship, materials, and techniques that define this time-honored process.
Join a hands-on cooking class led by a local cook who shares the heart of Oaxacan cuisine. Using fresh, seasonal ingredients, you’ll learn to prepare classic regional dishes and traditional techniques, then gather to enjoy the meal you’ve created—an experience rooted in flavor, culture, and connection.
ITINERARY
WELCOME TO OAXACA
Arrive at Oaxaca International Airport, where a private shuttle will greet you and bring you into the heart of Oaxaca City—a colorful, walkable city known for its historic streets, vibrant markets, and deeply rooted traditions. You’ll check into a beautifully preserved hotel featuring an open-sky courtyard and a rooftop with views of the iconic Santo Domingo Church, an inviting and inspiring place to settle in and slow down.
After some time to unpack and unwind, you’ll gather for a relaxed welcome cocktail hour. Enjoy local mezcal or refreshing agua fresca, light bites, and soft evening views as the city transitions into night.
That evening, join us for a traditional Oaxacan welcome dinner celebrating the region’s rich culinary heritage. During dessert, we will officially welcome the group, share the vision for the days ahead, and introduce the creative rhythm of the retreat—setting the tone for a meaningful and inspiring week together.
PAPERMAKING + MEZCAL TASTING
After breakfast, you’ll gather for a guided morning art session with Wendy, focusing on a new project and exploring her painting process, inspired by the colors, textures, and materials you’ve encountered throughout Oaxaca.
You’ll enjoy lunch before heading north into the lush mountain town of San Agustín Etla. Near the celebrated Centro de las Artes de San Agustín, you’ll visit Papel de Oaxaca, the workshop of master papermaker Alberto Valenzuela, where traditional techniques transform natural fibers into handmade paper.
You’ll watch a papermaking demonstration and gain insight into this time-honored craft before ending the day with a relaxed local dinner nearby, paired with a mezcal tasting—an inviting way to savor the region’s flavors and reflect on the day’s experiences.
A DAY OF COLOR, TEXTURE + DISCOVERY
You’ll begin the morning with a focused art session led by Wendy, offering time to complete yesterday’s work and refine details with personalized guidance.
In the afternoon, you’ll explore the time-honored world of indigo in a hands-on workshop. You’ll learn about the indigo plant and work with an organic dye vat, experimenting with solid-color dyeing and shibori resist techniques to create a hand-dyed piece to take home, such as napkins, a table runner, or a scarf.
Later, you’ll visit the historic Santo Domingo Church and enjoy a brief orientation to shopping in town, highlighting favorite artisan studios and local finds. The day concludes with a traditional Mexican dinner offering a relaxed moment to gather and unwind together.
OAXACA’S CREATIVE TRADITIONS
Today is a full-day immersion into Oaxaca’s rich artisan heritage. You’ll visit nearby villages to meet local craftspeople working in Coyotepec black clay pottery, learning about the techniques and history behind this iconic art form.
From there, you’ll continue to San Martín Tilcajete to explore the world of alebrijes—hand-carved and painted folk art figures made from locally harvested copal wood—visiting workshops and seeing the process up close.
Midday includes a Michelin-star Mexican lunch just outside the city, followed by a guided mezcal tour and tasting that traces the journey from agave to bottle. You’ll close the day with dinner at another Michelin-star restaurant celebrated for its environmentally responsible practices and deeply nourishing cuisine.
COLORS, TEXTURES + INSPIRATION
You’ll begin the morning with a relaxed, authentic Mexican breakfast at the hotel—fresh coffee and espresso, juices, pastries, seasonal fruit, and local favorites to ease into the day.
After breakfast, you’ll gather for Wendy’s next studio session and dive into Oaxaca’s vibrant spirit by capturing its flavors and textures in a mixed-media illustration project inspired by the region’s rich patterns, folk art, and layered details.
You’ll then break for lunch on your own and enjoy a little shopping time before heading into town for a hands-on cooking class celebrating Oaxaca’s renowned cuisine. You’ll work with organic ingredients and distinctive local flavors as you learn to prepare traditional dishes, then sit down together to enjoy everything you’ve made for a relaxed and satisfying dinner.
SAVOR, REFLECT + CELEBRATE
You’ll begin the day with breakfast at the hotel before heading into a morning studio session with Wendy—time to dive back into your projects, explore new ideas, and enjoy her hands-on guidance in a relaxed, inspiring environment.
After the session, you’ll head out for lunch on your own, giving you the freedom to try a café or restaurant that catches your eye. The afternoon is then yours to explore—wander the colorful markets, browse artisan shops, and step into local galleries for inspiration at your own pace.
That evening, you’ll gather with the group for an elevated celebratory dinner at an iconic restaurant, sharing stories, laughter, and reflections on the creative journey you’ve experienced throughout the retreat. After dinner, you’ll head back to the hotel for an intimate gallery showing where everyone can display their work, view one another’s pieces, and celebrate the creativity built over the week together.
ONE LAST TASTE OF OAXACA
You’ll gather for one final Oaxacan breakfast, savoring freshly baked pan dulce, seasonal fruit, and rich local coffee or traditional Oaxacan hot chocolate. Take time to linger over café de olla, enjoy the soft morning light, and soak in the final moments of this special place before your shuttle departs for Oaxaca International Airport at 10:00am.
As goodbyes are said, we send you off with warm wishes and heartfelt thanks for sharing your creativity, curiosity, and time with us. We hope this retreat leaves you inspired, refreshed, and carrying a piece of Oaxaca—and your creative journey with Crafted Roads—long after you return home.
ROOM + BOARD
Set within an 18th-century property, the selected hotel blends historic character with contemporary Mexican design, brought to life through local artwork, pottery, and handcrafted details. Located just one block from the iconic Santo Domingo Church—the cultural heart of Oaxaca City—it’s an ideal starting point for strolling cobblestoned streets, exploring traditional markets, and visiting nearby museums.
An open-sky courtyard and rooftop terrace offer views of Santo Domingo and the Sierra Norte, perfect for enjoying a cup of locally harvested coffee with a book in hand. Each morning begins with hearty regional breakfasts prepared at the comal by an all-female team of Oaxacan cooks, grounding your stay in the flavors and traditions of the region.
Thoughtfully appointed guest rooms blend historic architecture with contemporary Mexican design, featuring handcrafted furnishings, local artwork, artisan amenities, and either patio, courtyard, city, or park views. Accommodations range from cozy Standard Rooms to spacious suites with sitting areas and additional living space.
Most rooms are designed for single occupancy to provide a peaceful retreat experience, while select room categories can accommodate two guests. Guests may choose to book with another retreat participant or bring a non-participating companion, depending on room availability. Full room descriptions, occupancy options, and pricing details can be found on the Book Now page.
Food is woven into every part of the retreat, offering a true taste of Oaxaca’s culinary heritage. Each morning begins with a generous Oaxacan breakfast featuring coffee and espresso, fresh-squeezed juices, pastries, seasonal fruit, and rotating local favorites such as huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, tamales, avocado toast, and eggs prepared to order.
All breakfasts and dinners are included, along with most lunches (all except two), whether enjoyed at the hotel or during excursions. Highlights include a hands-on cooking class, two mezcal tastings, memorable fine-dining experiences, and a celebratory multi-course farewell dinner with traditional cocktails.
Most dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice. Guests may share dietary preferences at checkout. Menus vary seasonally.
Perfect for guests traveling solo or reserving a private room.
Your reservation includes:
- Accommodations
- Airport transfers
- Daily breakfast
- Welcome Dinner
- Farewell Dinner
- All meals included in the itinerary
- All host-led art instruction and workshops
- All excursions and experiences
- Transportation for all retreat activities
Standard (Private Room)
1 Participant
Junior Suite (Private Room)
1 Participant
Loft (Private Room)
1 Participant
King Suite (Private Room)
1 Participant
Master Suite (Private Room)
1 Participant
