Arrive Thursday, January 31 and depart Monday, February 11, 2019. Eleven nights and twelve days in the heart of one of Mexico’s greatest folk art centers. Sold Out. Taking a waiting list.
ITINERARY
Ceramic Catrinas, Capula, Lake Patzcuaro, Michoacan
| Th-1/31, Day 1 | Arrive Morelia, overnight in Morelia |
| F-2/1, Day 2 | Visit Casa de Artesania in morning. Depart for Patzcuaro at 2 p.m. Stop in Capula on the way (B, D) overnight Patzcuaro, WELCOME DINNER |
| Sa-2/2, Day 3 | City and gallery walk, lunch and art history of region, discussion Purepecha indigenous community, visit famous graphic artist and silversmith, plus numerous galleries (B, L) |
| Su-2/3, Day 4 | Once Around the Lake – Pottery, markets and embroidery, Tzintzuntzan, village story embroidery, painted pottery. We will visit markets, archeological sites, potter Nicolas Fabian Fermin and needleworker Teofila Servin Barrida (B, L), overnight in Patzcuaro |
| M-2/4, Day 5 | Santa Clara del Cobre (B, L) day trip to explore the copper making in this Pueblo Magico and meet the best artisans, overnight in Patzcuaro |
| Tu-2/5 and W-2/6, Day 6 & 7 | After breakfast, travel to Pueblo Magico Uruapan, overnight in Uruapan for two nights. Visit Fabrica San Pedro for handmade blankets and La Huatapera in the Maseta Purepecha. (B, L)
Travel to Textile and Mask/Wood Carving villages including Anhuiran. Meet Cecelia Bautista and family rebozo weavers, makers of Paracho guitars and carved masks (B, L), Return to Patzcuaro with overnight on 2/6. |
| Th-2/7, Day 8 | Open day in Patzcuaro, evening special event, Patzcuaro overnight (B) |
| F-2/8, Day 9 | Depart from Patzcuaro in early morning, arrive to Monarch Butterfly Biosphere and Pueblo Magico Angangueo, overnight in Angangueo (B, L) |
| Sa-2/9, Day 10 | Day in Angangueo, depart to Morelia in late afternoon. (B, L) |
| Su-2/10,
Day 11 M-2/11, Day 12 |
Day on your own in Morelia. Grand Finale Dinner. (B, D)
Depart Morelia for flights home |
Potters Nicolas Fabian Fermin and his wife Maria del Rosario Lucas
This is a preliminary itinerary, although the dates are firm. We reserve the right to adjust the itinerary based on availability of artisans.
Embroidered sampler, storytelling on cloth
The State of Michoacan is one of the most diverse for production of Mexican artisan crafts. Indigenous people here make more than thirty different types of handwork, making it one of the richest states in Mexico for appreciators and collectors of folk art.
Embroidered story rebozo by Teofila Servin Barriga
You will fly into Morelia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During our week together we will stay in two Pueblo Magicos and explore the history and traditions of the native Purepecha people. You will meet noted artisans who are recognized as Grand Masters of Mexican Folk Art and invited participants to the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, and Feria de Artesanias at Lake Chapala.
Historic 17th C. Morelia church
These are potters, weavers, silver jewelry makers, mask and furniture wood carvers, luthiers (makers of guitars and violins), lacquer-ware makers, coppersmiths, painters and graphic artists.
Hammering and forming copper, Santa Maria del Cobre
As many of you know from participating in other trips with me, our goal is to also get out of the van, walk, explore and discover. This way, we have a deeply intimate experience with the artisans where they live and work: in their homes and studios, off the beaten path. Our goal will be to know those who have already achieved fame and meet those whose talents are yet to be widely promoted.
Completed copper vessel, sculptural beauty
In the process, we become 21st century explorers ourselves.
The market at Tzintzuntzan, Lake Patzcuaro
I have friends who live in Patzcuaro who are knowledgeable about the region. I will invite them to lead group discussions about regional artisans, folk art, ceremonial practices, and customs. One is a noted photographer and I will invite her to give us a visual overview of the region in our first days.
Hand-crafted guitar, Michoacan, Mexico
Our guide comes highly recommended, is bilingual and lives in the area. We will have luxury van transportation to take us to the areas on our itinerary. The places we will visit are safe and secure.
Intricately embroidered blouse, Lake Patzcuaro
Resources:
Fishing is the theme for pottery, jewelry in Patzcuaro
Cost: Double occupancy (shared room with private bath), $2,795 per person Single occupancy (private room/bath) is $3,295 per person
All prices in USD. One-third of the total is due now to reserve. The remaining balance shall be made in two equal payments, the first on August 1, and the second on December 1, 2018.
- Double room deposit to reserve is $932, remainder in two equal payments on August 1 and December 1 = $931.50
- Single room deposit to reserve is $1,099, remainder of balance in two equal payments on August 1 and December 1 = $1,098
If you reserve after August 1 and before December 1, two-thirds of the deposit is due. If you reserve after December 1, full-payment is due.
Feathered rebozos of Anhuiran, Michoacan, competition winners
Trip is limited in group size.
Ceramic artist Manuel Morales plays a vintage ocarina
What the Trip Includes:
- 10 nights lodging in excellent accommodations
- 10 breakfasts
- 7 lunches
- 2 dinners
- Bi-lingual guide services
- Michoacan van transportation specified in the itinerary
Famed Anhuiran rebozo weaver Cecelia Bautista Caballero (right)
What the Trip Does Not Include:
- Airfare
- Airport transfers to/from hotel
- Tips, taxes, alcoholic beverages, meals not included in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
Reservations and Cancellations. We accept payment with PayPal only. We will send you an itemized invoice when you tell us you are ready to register. After December 1, 2018, refunds are not possible. If there is a cancelation on or before December 1, 50% of your deposit will be refunded. Aft that, there are no refunds.
All documentation for plane reservations, required travel insurance, and personal health issues must be received 45 days before the program start or we reserve the right to cancel your registration without reimbursement.
Required–Travel Health/Accident Insurance: We require that you carry international accident/health/emergency evacuation insurance with at least $50,000 of medical evacuation coverage. Proof of insurance must be sent at least 45 days before departure. In addition, we will send you by email a PDF of a witnessed waiver of responsibility, holding harmless Norma Schafer and Oaxaca Cultural Navigator LLC. We ask that you return this to us by email 45 days before departure. Unforeseen circumstances happen! Be certain your passport has at least six months on it before it expires from the date you enter Mexico!
Plane Tickets, Arrivals/Departures: Please send us your plane schedule at least 45 days before the trip. This includes name of carrier, flight numbers, arrival and departure time.
Horsemanship and a parade, Patzcuaro
Who Should Attend • Textile and fashion designers • Weavers, embroiderers and collectors • Wholesalers/retailers who want a direct source • Photographers and artists who want inspiration • Anyone who loves cloth, culture and collaboration
Terrain, Walking and Group Courtesy: We will do a bit of walking. Being here is a walker’s delight because there are pedestrian streets, although there are also hills. The altitude is 7,000 feet PLUS. If you have mobility issues or health/breathing impediments, please let us know before you register.
This may not be the study tour for you.
Purepecha, the people and the language
Traveling with a small group has its advantages and also means that independent travelers will need to make accommodations to group needs and schedule. We include free time to go off on your own if you wish.
Historic church, Patzcuaro, Michoacan, soft color of age
Wear Your Apron: Photos From the Feria del Barro Rojo
First, the last day of this year’s (2018) Feria del Barro Rojo in San Marcos Tlapazola is tomorrow, Monday, July 16, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Grammy Award-winner Lila Downs is feria Madrina, charms us all, gives her all
If you go, wear your distinctive Tlapazola apron, like I did. It’s gingham trimmed in folded ribbon that ends up looking like frosting on a wedding cake. Too much fun. And, that’s exactly what it evokes — the hilarity of a gringa (otherwise known as Huera — White Girl) wearing indigenous dress. I get called Huera a lot in these parts.
Oh, those aprons! All handmade icing on the cake
If you don’t have an apron, you can buy one at the fair.
Now, we know I will never pass as a local and even if I tried, I’d never get away with it. But, that’s not the point. The point is to honor and appreciate the local culture and one way I’ve found to do that best is to make a point of dressing like a local. Everyone in the village finds this more than amusing. They like it. They smile, giggle, laugh and wave.
Front and center, beautiful red clay pottery
They invite me to sit with them and have a tejate (not a Tecate, which is a Mexican beer). They offer an embrace and accept mine.
Lila Downs speaks with everyone, congratulates them, shakes hands
Some of the ladies I know from years of meandering and buy from them at the Tlacolula Sunday market and they recognize me.
Beribboned young women comprise the welcome delegation
I have time. I sit a while. Visiting with people and taking your time is another way to show respect. It was late afternoon and my second visit of the day after taking two friends to Mitla. (I decided to return for a more leisurely visit and to pay for a blouse I put on hold.)
Meet Paul Cohen, Lila’s husband, and their son, oh, and me
We broke open a bottle of wild agave tepeztate mezcal and shared a sip or two with fair organizer Gonzalo Artuza from the Oaxaca Government Office of Social and Economic Support in Oaxaca, that underwrote the event.
Red clay with painted design
Sometimes I like to travel solita just to experience the serendipity of what can happen by just being somewhere with no other plan than to just BE.
My apron, bought last year, gives my friends a giggle
Many of the women here are the pottery makers whose work is distributed by and sold under the name of others more famous. Few of them get personal recognition. The fair is a great way to collect this beautiful ware and to offer much-needed economic support in this Zapotec village of about 3,500 people, while directly supporting the women makers.
Sometimes the only roadblock is a bull and a bunch of cows
How to get there: Drive through the main street of Tlacolula and go southwest, toward the coastal mountains. Follow the main road out of town. There are no road signs. In the distance you will see a village straight ahead — that’s San Bartolome Quialana. Don’t go there. Tlapazola is the village to the far right, so as you get closer to Quialana, there is a road (unmarked) that will take you to the right and directly to Tlapazola. This road has curves, straightaways, potholes and some smooth pavement. If you use GPS, it’s pretty accurate. Just look for the church with the rounded red dome off to the right in the distance!
Many farmers are giving over their corn fields to the planting of espadin agave for mezcal production. It is now a high-paying cash crop. The road goes through these fields and it’s gorgeous.
Who can stop taking photos of beautiful, talented Lila Downs? Not me.
And, our last laugh! They are acculturated to be serious!
I want to recommend Maria Aragon Sanchez and Gloria Cruz Sanchez for their excellent red clay dinnerware. Privada del Porvenir #1, San Marcos Tlapazola, Cel. 951 281 3329 and email: lucinam@live.com.mx
Like this:
11 Comments
Posted in Cultural Commentary, Oaxaca Mexico art and culture, Photography, Pottery, Travel & Tourism
Tagged fair, Oaxaca, red clay pottery, San Marcos Tlapazola