Creativity Retreat in Oaxaca, México
March 11 - 19, 2027
¡Bienvenidos!
This will be my sixth annual creativity retreat in beautiful Oaxaca, Mexico, one of the most colorful and inspiring places I know.
Over seven days, we’ll paint en plein air throughout Oaxaca, beginning our mornings with movement classes, art discussions, creative exercises, and demonstrations before heading out to explore. Along the way, we’ll visit artisan villages, Zapotec ruins, wander through open-air markets, enjoy the extraordinary flavors of Oaxacan cuisine, take part in a traditional cooking class, and new this year; experience a special cacao workshop.
Steeped in the warmth, beauty, and vibrant culture of Oaxaca, this retreat is as much about immersing yourself in everything this extraordinary place has to offer as it is about making art and developing your practice. There will be plenty of individual guidance and one-on-one instruction, and I intentionally keep the group small to create an intimate and personal experience.
I’ll be demonstrating in pastel, but artists working in all mediums are warmly welcome.
Our creative painting time will be split in two areas:
In studio creativity exercises that will open up new pathways for you to explore your mark making, your own process and a variety of different techniques with pastels.
Plein air painting time with your chosen medium, that will focus on compelling composition of the city and landscapes in plein air as well travel and portability tips.
Each day will begin with an optional rooftop movement session and a privately catered breakfast, followed by art lectures, demonstrations, and studio painting in our beautiful private home. Having the house to ourselves creates an intimate, relaxed atmosphere where you can leave your art supplies set up securely.
You’ll have free time at lunch to rest, explore nearby markets and restaurants, or simply wander before we gather for plein air sessions in different locations to capture the evening light.
The retreat includes 30 hours of workshop time. Some painting experience is required.
Costs & Inclusions
The cost of this 7-day retreat is $3,350. See below for payment information and options. If you’d like to bring your spouse, friend or family member with you, you can do so for a fee of $2,500. More information and inclusions below.
What is included?
Daily art instruction with Amanda Houston
Accommodation in private colonial home
Catered breakfasts
2 large lunches outside of the city
4 dinners including 2 privately catered dinners by local chef
Optional morning movement class
Accommodation in private colonial home
2 days of tours outside of the city that include guided visit to weekend market, guided visit to zapotec ruins, visit to traditional weaving and natural dye workshop
A cooking class with traditional chef
A cacao workshop from bean to bar
Private transport for tours outside of the city
Local bilingual guide for duration of the tour
What is not included?
Airfares or transfers to and from Oaxaca
Art supplies. I will supply painting boards, and will bring larger papers for the creativity exercises and some additional pastel papers for purchase.
Please bring portable easels.
Please bring the painting materials of your choice, including a small set of pastels for the ins-studio pastel painting days.
What is included for spouse/additional person fee?
If you would like to bring your spouse, friend or family member with you, they will enjoy and participate in all of the same things as you, except for the daily art instruction with Amanda. This fee includes accommodation (sharing a room with you), morning movement sessions, included meals, activities, workshops, tours and private transport, and bilingual guide.
Accommodation
We will be staying in a beautiful private colonial style house in the heart of the city for the 6th year in a row. Easy walking distance to shopping, restaurants and other local must-sees! Each guest will have their own room and bathroom and daily breakfast and morning movement class (if interested). We will be using the rooftop and the courtyard space for our studio painting space so everything will be close and easy to squeeze as much painting time as you want in. Private massages at the house can also be arranged.
If you would like to extend your stay please email me for a list of close by hotels.
Getting to Oaxaca
There are direct flights to Oaxaca from Houston (United), Dallas (American) and Los Angeles (Volaris, 3 days a week; the other days they lay over in Guadalajara, still better than Mexico City). Otherwise, from Mexico City the flight to Oaxaca is only one hour.
We understand there are early and late flight arrive or departures. For your planning purposes:
March 11 is check-in day with a planned meet and greet and group dinner starting at 5:30pm.
March 19th is check out day with one last catered breakfast.
Transport from the Airport
There is a taxi desk in the airport (as you exit Customs) where you can book a shared door-to-door shuttle van known as a Colectivo. Give the address and pay. You will be asked if you are going to Zone 1 or 2. You will be going to Zone 1.
If you'd rather ride alone in a taxi, you'll book at this same stand. This is the option called Especial and is a higher rate.
Sign up & Payment Information
Participant fee and payment options:
The retreat fee is $3,350, payable in full or in two instalments. The second instalment is due January 15, 2027, and you’ll receive a payment link closer to the date.
Spouse/additional person fee:
You’re welcome to bring a spouse, friend, or family member for an additional $2,250. The fee includes all retreat activities except Amanda’s daily art classes and studio sessions. This fee can be added at checkout and paid in full or in two instalments.
Cancellation policy
Cancellations or credits toward future classes are accepted, minus the banking transaction fee, according to the following rates:
100% refund 6 months prior to class date.
50% refund 3 months prior to class date.
0% refund 60 days prior to class start.
After 60 days, a credit toward future offerings that Amanda hosts directly. (Courses offered through WAC, Dakota or Cole Gallery will not accept those vouchers).
If you have any questions at all, please get in contact via email.
How to pack for painting in plein air.
In this video, I’ll share my tips for packing for painting in plein air. All of these items can be found on the supplies list for this class.