The itinerary offers a thoughtful guide through each day’s workshops and explorations.

Oaxaca Cultural Tour Schedule

Arrive at Oaxaca Airport — if on recommended flights, shuttle transportation provided to hotel
Check in at Hotel Catrina de Alcala
Light spread of baguettes provided for group at arrival
Free evening to settle in at hotel

Light breakfast at hotel (see note below)*
8:30 to 10:00am: Optional casual walk to Zocalo and mercado with Patrick and Valentina (mainly to get a quick feel for our neighborhood attractions and to get your bearings).
10:15am: We will walk (20 minutes, 3/4 mile) up to Rolando Rojas’ studio. Or you can taxi ($5+/-), or Uber.
10:30 to 1:00pm: We will all settle in to our studio area and get set up and do our first studio work where we will be drawing/painting from the model, who will have her indigenous garb on. Please bring your camera/phone to take pictures!
1:00 to 3:30pm: After a quick lunch, we will be working on our second drawing of the day.
4:00 to 7:00pm: We will leisurely walk back to the hotel and have the remainder of the afternoon ad free-time.
7:00pm: We will meet in Hotel Catrina lobby and do the quick walk with Patrick and Valentina to Casa Oaxaca. Welcome Dinner, Oaxacans Traditional cuisine.

Breakfast at hotel
10:00 to 1:00pm: Spend all morning with Maestro Rolando Rojas. He will demonstrate one of his painting techniques using marble dust mixed with acrylic paints.
1:00 to 1:30pm: Light lunch brought to RR studio.
1:30 to 4:00pm: Continue work in RR studio.
7:00pm: Open group dinner. We will meet at the hotel and walk to our chosen restaurant. Optional: Stroll with Patrick Palmer to San Pablo Convent, Textile Museum, Galeria Arte de Oaxaca, Mercado de Artisanries Benito Juarez.

Breakfast at hotel
8:00 to 10:30am: Drive to Monte Alban to see the ruins and pyramids. Guided tour. Bring sketchbooks to work in with watercolor pencils and water.
11:00 to 1:00pm: Light lunch at Asador Bacanora. Signature Chef Oaxacan cuisine.
1:00 to 4:00pm: Oaxaca City tour with Mau as our guide. We will be visiting women’s owned printing press, ceramic art gallery, and look at Oaxacan textiles and clothing. Learn about Oaxaca’s rich history with a tour to Mercado 20 de Noviembre, Museum Pintores Oaxaqueños, The Zocalo, and the Museum of Santo Domingo de Guzman, Monte Alban’s Tomb #7 jewels.
4:00pm: Free afternoon
7:00pm: Open group dinner. We will meet at the hotel and walk to our chosen restaurant. Visit Remigio Mestre textile shop at Los Baules de Juana Cata

8:00am: Early breakfast
8:45 to 10:15am: We will leave Hotel Catrina de Alcala to explore neighborhood markets where we will be buying fruits (watermelon!) and flowers to set up our still-life.
10:15am: Return to RR studio and talk about mixed-media still-life techniques.
12:00 to 12:45pm: Fast (tacos or empanadas brought to RR studio) lunch.
1:00 to 3:00pm: Studio time.
3:00 to 5:00pm: Return to hotel for free-time or remain in studio.
4:15 to 6:45pm: Free afternoon.
7:00pm: Meet at Hotel Catrina de Alcala. From there, we will have a short walk to Asador Vasco. European and Oaxacan Fusion cuisine at Zocalo for Oaxaca dinner. Dining upstairs, overlooking Zocalo Plaza with music and dancing.

8:30 to 9:00am: Early breakfast, return to studio
9:00 to 11:30am: Have two hours in studio to wrap up unfinished works, pack up and roll works in travel tubes (provided), and return to hotel.
12:00pm: Open lunch with Patrick (optional). Optional: Walking tour with Patrick to Santo Domingo church and cathedral, final shopping time.
2:00 to 4:00pm: Celebration with special Frida Kahlo Dinner prepared by renown chef of the Catrina Hotel, check with Patrick regarding potential margaritas!

Early Morning: Check out of hotel. If on recommended flights, shuttle transportation provided to airport.