Jean Grimm's Oaxaca Tour by Mexican Art and Culture Tours

Jean Grimm 1-888-783-1331

Art Culture Crafts Architecture Archaeology History

Treat yourself to the magic of Oaxaca, one of the world’s prime artistic centers, with scores of internationally known painters and artisans. It is sophisticated and charming, exotic and mystical. Its stunning colonial architecture is made from the pale green stone of La Verde Antequera, Oaxaca’s own quarry. You will see fascinating demonstrations by artisans in their village workshops, including those of textile and rug weavers, wood-carvers, ceramic artists and potters, a tinsmith, and an eco paper-maker. The dramatic archaeological sites of Monte Alban and Mitla will provide us with insights into the ancient Zapotec and Mixtec civilizations. We will view art in beautiful small museums, and visit select shops, and galleries and colorful markets. We will enjoy special meals of Oaxaca’s famously good food and catch a performance of the native Guelaguetza dancers.

COST     Double occupancy: $2,295 per person
                 Single occupancy:  $2,695 per person

    Airfare is not included

    A deposit of $300 is due by March 7, 2008. The balance is due by May 2.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

1-888-783-1331

Phone: 1-480-730-1764

Toll free: 1-888-783-1331

Itinerary for Oaxaca

July 11-20, 2008

DAY 1 Friday, July 11 Arrive in Oaxaca and transfer to Hotel Monte Carmelo, conveniently located between the Zocalo and the Santo Domingo area. This evening we will have a welcome reception and dinner. D

DAY 2 Saturday, July 12 This morning, take a walking tour of Oaxaca to become familiar with this wonderful colonial city. Stop at the beautiful Santo Domingo Church and the gold laden Rosary Chapel, and learn about Oaxaca’s pre-Hispanic and Colonial history on a visit to the Museo Regional de Oaxaca located in a brilliantly restored former Dominican monestery. We have lunch today in a lively out-door cafe at the Zocalo. We’ll inspect select markets, shops and galleries, including: the downtown crafts and basket market; the beautiful gallery-like store, La Mano Majica; and one of Oaxaca’s top art galleries, Galeria Oaxaca, where you’ll see some of Oaxaca’s best fine art. This evening enjoy a fabulous buffet dinner and attend a performance of the native Guelaguetza dancers. These accomplished dancers represent the seven regions of Oaxaca and wear the marvelous traditional dress of each of the regions. to become familiar with this wonderful colonial city. B, D

DAY 3 Sunday, July 13 In the village of Atzompa visit two of Oaxaca’s most accomplished ceramic artisans: Enedina Vasquez, to see her unglazed figural pottery, and Dolores Poras to see her fanciful pottery. We’ll shop for a few minutes in Atzompa’s pottery co-op and enjoy lunch in the co-op’s restaurant. We then go to the village of San Bartolo Coyotepéc, to see a surprising demonstration of how Oaxaca’s black pottery is thrown in the ancient Zapotec method. In the village of Santo Tomás Jalieza a family of back-strap weavers will give us a demonstration of how they weave their lovely belts, purses and other items. Our last stop today is at the weaving co-op. B, L

DAY 4 Monday, July 14 Begin today with a drive to the Tlacolula Market, one of the most ancient and colorful indigenous handicraft markets in all of Mexico. Here you will hear merchants from all over the state of Oaxaca speaking their ancient languages. Visit the Dominican Church, right next to the market, where medieval Christian and Zapotec Indian rites mingle. Our next stop is at Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca’s major Zapotec rug-weaving village, where we will visit the workshop of one of Oaxaca’s best rug weavers. This skilled textile artist and his family will demonstrate their craft, from the carding, spinning and dyeing of the woolen yarns through the weaving of their beautiful rugs. Learn about the red cochineal dye made from cactus bugs, and about other natural dyes made from plants. Enjoy a native Oaxacan gourmet lunch today. After lunch visit the fabulous archaeological site of Mitla, whose intricate abstract designs of stone masonry are reminiscent of the designs of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. B, L

DAY 5 Tuesday, July 15 Today, drive up the mountain to explore the spectacular archeological site of Monte Albán, Mesoamerica’s first great city. Excavations at Monte Albán have revealed pyramids, nearly 200 tombs, numerous ceremonial altars, stelae, palaces, frescos, friezes, hieroglyphic writings and the life-size stone carvings of the famous Danzantes. Visit the Dominican Monastery of Santiago Apostol, Cuilapan, an architectural marvel, begun in 1550 but, never completed. Our final stop of the day is in the village of Arrazola where we visit the homes and work-shops of several of Oaxaca’s best wood-carvers. B, D

DAY 6 Wednesday, July 16 Drive to the village of Etla this morning to visit an interesting handmade paper factory and see a demonstration of how the ecological paper is made, utilizing plants and the wings of dead insects. Also, visit Etla’s new and beautiful Art School. Drive further on, to the village of La Unión, to the home of an unusual wood carver. After a delicious native lunch we go to the district of Xochimilco to visit the workshop of an artisan who works in tin. B, L

DAY 7 Thursday, July 17 Following breakfast, take the scenic drive to Ocotlán, where our first stop, before we enter Ocotlan, is with the famous Aguilar sisters to view their witty, colorful, and highly collectable ceramics. We’ll visit all four of them in their nearby houses. We’ll walk through the Ocotlán market (slowly) on the way to an ancient Dominican convent and former prison meticulously restored by the late painter, Rodolfo Morales. It now houses a small museum, several small art galleries and a school for the arts. We’ll also visit Mr. Morales’s fascinating home to see some of his collages and paintings and his very wonderful kitchen. Enjoy a typical Oaxacan lunch made especially for us, in the courtyard of Mr. Morales’ home. B, L

DAY 8 Friday, July 18 Today, visit three small museums: the Rufino Tamayo Museum which houses Mr. Tamayo’s personal collection of pre-Columbian art; The Museum of Contemporary Art which has outstanding temporary exhibits; and Oaxaca’s newest museum, the Museum of Oaxacan Painters. The three museums are elegantly constructed in the Spanish Colonial style using the beautiful greenish stones from Oaxaca’s own quarry, La Verde Antequera. B, L

DAY 9 Saturday, July 19 Today is at leisure to return to our favorite places, discover new places, finish last minute shopping or just relax. We will meet in the late afternoon for a cocktail reception in one of Oaxaca’s premier art galleries, Galeria Quetzali, and enjoy a special farewell to Oaxaca dinner of nouvelle Mexican cuisine in Casa Oaxaca, one of the best restaurants in all of Mexico. B, L

DAY 10 Sunday, July 20 After breakfast, we (reluctantly) transfer to the Oaxaca airport.

To book a tour, for more information,
or to design a custom tour, please contact:

Jean Grimm Mexican Art Tours
1233 East Baker Drive
Tempe AZ 85282-7282

1-888-783-1331

480-730-1764

jgrimtours@aznetgate.net

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