Oaxaca is alive with color—woven into markets, drawn from plants and earth, and shaped by artisans who have refined their craft for generations. This retreat invites you to slow down, immerse yourself in vibrant culture, explore traditional techniques, and rediscover creativity through hands-on making, local cuisine, and rich sensory experiences.
Approximately one month prior to the retreat, Lori will provide a detailed supply list so guests can prepare in advance. She will also bring select materials and shared supplies to support the workshop experience.
A creative immersion for artists, makers, and the simply curious who want to reconnect with color, craft, and creativity in a real, felt way. This isn’t a vacation with a few art projects thrown in—and it’s not a pressure-filled workshop chasing “perfect” results. Each day centers on a single color inspired by Oaxaca’s living traditions, where outings spark ideas and studio time is all about play.
Each day is guided by a single color drawn from real experiences across Oaxaca—then brought back into the studio through playful exploration and hands-on making.
Each studio day blends guided instruction with open exploration, thoughtfully connected to the day’s cultural excursions. Sessions are welcoming to all skill levels and focus on process over perfection—encouraging experimentation, curiosity, and play. You’ll create using paint, drawing tools, collage, air-dry clay, indigo-dyed cloth and paper, plus handmade papers and found textures. No formal art training is needed—just a willingness to explore and enjoy the creative journey.
This retreat is for anyone feeling creatively hungry, quietly stuck, or simply craving deeper inspiration through color and place—artists, writers, educators, caregivers, and curious creatives alike. You’ll create without pressure, explore meaningful cultural experiences, and reconnect with your natural way of making. You’ll return home with a cohesive body of work, handmade pieces filled with personal meaning, and a renewed relationship with creativity—along with a richer understanding of how color lives both in the world and within you.
LORI SIEBERT
Lori Siebert is an accomplished mixed-media artist with a background in graphic design and decades of experience licensing her artwork across a wide range of home décor products. Her work blends acrylics, watercolors, torn paper, and dimensional elements, resulting in richly layered pieces known for their expressive color and thoughtful texture. Drawing inspiration from folk art, vintage textiles, and everyday details, Lori brings a fresh, refined sensibility to each collection. Today, she continues to license her work globally while sharing her passion for creative exploration and art-making with artists around the world.
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.
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, Lori and Angela 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 Lori, focusing on a new project and exploring her craftmaking 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 Lori, 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 Lori’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 Lori—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 a beautifully restored 19th-century mansion recognized as a historic monument, your accommodations blend classic Oaxacan architecture with modern comforts and warm hospitality. Located in the heart of Oaxaca City, just a short walk from the Zócalo, cathedral, and Santo Domingo, it provides the perfect home base for wandering colorful streets, visiting nearby galleries and museums, and experiencing the vibrant culture of the city.
Historic courtyards, traditional architectural details, and inviting gathering spaces create an atmosphere that reflects the beauty and everyday rhythm of Oaxaca. After days spent exploring artisan villages, creating art, and sharing meals together, you’ll return to a peaceful retreat that feels both inspiring and welcoming.
Thoughtfully appointed Superior Rooms combine historic charm with modern comforts, featuring comfortable furnishings, private bathrooms, and amenities designed to make your stay relaxing and effortless. As is common in historic properties, no two rooms are exactly alike and may vary slightly in layout, architectural details, natural light, and bed configurations, adding to the unique character of the experience.
Most rooms are designed for single occupancy to provide a peaceful retreat atmosphere, while select rooms may accommodate two guests. Rooms include either one king bed or two queen beds, assigned by the hotel based on 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.
Superior Room
1 Participant
- Each room includes either one king bed or two queen beds, assigned by the hotel based on availability. You may indicate your preference at checkout, but bed type is assigned by the hotel based on availability and cannot be guaranteed.
- Comfortable bed and bathroom with shower.
- All the services you could need to make your stay unforgettable: air conditioner, high-speed WiFi, flat screen TV, cable TV, phone, cleaning service, hair dryer, safe, purified water, and a coffee maker.