Scenic views of Oaxaca and Mexican artwork

Colors and Canvases in Oaxaca with Erika b Hess

October 14-20, 2026 

Pricing: $5,375 per person; For a single room add $850

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Please contact ATA at 855-395-6100 or CHQtravels@academic-travel.com to inquire.

Overview

Immerse yourself in the heart of Oaxaca on this exclusive journey with Chautauqua Travels, led by Erika b Hess, The Sydelle Sonkin and Herb Segull Artistic Director of Visual Arts at Chautauqua. This thoughtfully curated experience is exclusive to Chautauqua Travels and offers unparalleled access to Oaxaca’s vibrant creative traditions, from its master artisans to its contemporary art scene. Stroll through historic neighborhoods adorned with striking murals, witness the intricate craftsmanship of black clay pottery and alebrijes (wood carvings), and meet the artists that are preserving Zapotec weaving and printmaking traditions. Enjoy behind-the-scenes experiences, including a private demonstration with a celebrated printmaker and an intimate session with a blind artisan shaping pottery through touch. Learn about the history of color and pigment and discover the significance of Oaxaca’s ephemeral sand art. Along the way, savor the region’s rich culinary heritage, from home-hosted meals with artisans to mole and mezcal at local restaurants. With expert guidance and exclusive access to Oaxaca’s cultural treasures, this journey promises an unforgettable fusion of art, history, and cuisine. 

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Questions?

Please contact ATA at:
Toll-Free Number: 855-395-6100
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Trip Highlights

  • Engage with your Chautauqua Travels Expert Erika b Hess in discussions on contemporary Mexican artists, color theory, and Oaxaca’s artistic traditions, deepening your understanding of the region’s creative legacy. 
  • Enjoy rare access to local studios and workshops, meeting artisans who specialize in black clay pottery, wood carving, weaving, and goldsmithing using ancient Zapotec techniques. 
  • Savor Oaxaca’s renowned cuisine, from mole to mezcal, while sharing meals with artisans and dining at local restaurants. 
  • Witness the fleeting beauty of Oaxacan sand art and the enduring traditions of candle-making, weaving, and printmaking in exclusive artisan-led sessions. 

Trip Expert: Erika b Hess  

Erika b Hess is a painter and the Sydelle Sonkin and Herb Segull Artistic Director of Visual Arts at Chautauqua Institution. She also hosts the podcast I Like Your Work, showcasing contemporary artists. Hess’s work has been exhibited internationally in cities such as New York, Detroit, Los Angeles, and London, with recent work exhibited at First Street Gallery (NYC), Bridgette Mayer Gallery (Philadelphia), and MASH Gallery (LA). 

Featured in publications like Art New England and ArtScope, Hess has curated and juried for Cambridge Art Association, Gallery 263, and AllSheMakes. She has also presented at SCOPE Artfair (Miami) and lectured at Wellesley College, Pratt, and Massachusetts College of Art & Design among many others.  

Based in Columbus, Ohio, and Long Island City, New York, Hess is represented by Contemporary Art Matters in Columbus. She earned her BFA from Wright State University and her MFA from Boston University. 

Erika b Hess

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 1

¡Bienvenidos a Oaxaca! 

Arrive at Oaxaca International Airport and transfer to your centrally located hotel. Join Erika b Hess, The Sydelle Sonkin and Herb Segull Artistic Director of Visual Arts at Chautauqua for a welcome lecture late this afternoon. Then gather for a welcome reception and dinner at a local restaurant.  

Included Meals: Dinner, Reception 

Accommodations: Parador San Miguel 

Day 2

Historic Highlights and Artistic Allure 

Embark on a walking tour of Oaxaca’s historic center, with stops at the stunning Santo Domingo Church and Museo de las Culturas. Discover contemporary and traditional graphic arts at the Instituto de Artes Gráficas de Oaxaca (IAGO), showcasing works by both renowned artists and emerging talents. Then savor authentic Oaxacan flavors in a cozy and colorful eatery, known for its mole dishes and artisanal beverages. After lunch, join your local guide to explore Jalatlaco and Xichimilco, picturesque neighborhoods admired for their cobblestone streets, colorful murals, and rich colonial charm. Return to the city center and visit the Prehispanic Art Museum and marvel at the extensive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts curated by artist Rufino Tamayo, showcasing Mexico’s ancient cultural heritage. Continue to Oro de Monte Albán and witness a master artisan craft intricate gold jewelry inspired by Zapotec designs, blending ancient techniques with modern artistry. This evening, enjoy dinner as a group at a local restaurant. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Accommodations: Parador San Miguel 

Day 3

Pottery and Craft Perfection 

Take a short (30-minute) drive outside the city center to the village of San Bartolo Coyotepec to discover its unique “barro negro,” or black clay pottery, made of natural clay found only in Oaxaca. Then, try your hand at shaping your own creation. Continue to a local artists’ collective and meet with one of the artisans. Experience a moving pottery session at “Taller Manos Que Ven,” where a blind artisan will share his tactile techniques. Return to the hotel to watch a skilled artisan craft intricate sand art designs, showcasing the ephemeral artistry that is used to craft elaborate sand carpets (“tapetes de arena”) to welcome and celebrate the spirits of deceased loved ones during the Day of the Dead festivities. This afternoon, continue to explore Oaxaca’s vibrant streets and restaurants on your own. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Accommodations: Parador San Miguel 

Day 4

Woven Traditions and Whimsical Wood 

Immerse yourself in the vibrant colors and scents of the Ocotlán de Morelos Market as you explore the colorful stalls with fresh produce, spices, and artisanal goods. Visit a local studio to witness the meticulous back strap loom weaving process, preserving centuries-old Zapotec traditions through vibrant textiles. Then, meet with a carver at San Martín Tilcajete to learn about the art of creating whimsical “alebrijes,” or fantastical wood carvings painted in vivid hues. Enjoy a hardy lunch featuring authentic Zapotec dishes in a serene rural setting. The rest of the day is yours to continue exploring the charming streets and galleries of Oaxaca on your own. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Accommodations: Parador San Miguel 

Day 5

Wax and Weaving 

This morning, marvel at the majestic Tule tree, which has the widest tree trunk in the world and is believed to be over 2,000 years old. Then, observe the detailed process of crafting traditional beeswax candles, a multigenerational art form incorporating elaborate designs and vibrant colors. Gain insights into the art of rug weaving, during an exclusive studio visit with a master artisan who will share background about the process, including the use of natural materials like marigolds, indigo, huisache beans, and cochineal to dye wools. After, savor a family-style meal at the artisan’s home. Later today, learn about the history of color and pigment in painting from your Chautauqua expert.  

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Accommodations: Parador San Miguel

Day 6

Paper and Prints 

Your day begins with a visit to a paper factory where members of the community produce paper using natural fibers, such as tree bark, branches, flowers, pigments, and cotton. Continue to the studio of a celebrated local painter and printmaker for a personalized demonstration of his craft, followed by a home-hosted meal with the artist. After, join Erika b Hess to learn about contemporary artists in Mexico. Enjoy time on your own this afternoon before toasting your journey with a celebratory dinner at a beloved local restaurant.  

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Accommodations: Parador San Miguel 

Day 7

Adiós 

Transfer to the airport anytime for individual flights back to the United States 

Included Meals: Breakfast 

What’s Included?

  • All accommodations for the duration of the tour
  • Meals, as noted in the itinerary
  • All sightseeing and visits as noted in the itinerary
  • Expertise of a Chautauqua expert, ATA-hired travel director, and local guides throughout the tour
  • All gratuities for on-tour guides, drivers, hotel, and restaurant staff as part of the group program
  • All on-tour transportation, unless otherwise noted
  • Round-trip airport transfers
  • Quietvox listening devices to facilitate audibility and social distancing on tour
  • The assistance of an ATA professional travel team to assist with pre-trip questions, travel arrangements, including flights, extra hotel nights and other services
  • Comprehensive pre-departure mailings and materials with information about the destination and what to expect on tour, including a suggested reading list
  • Emergency evacuation insurance

Accommodations

Parador San Miguel (6 nights) 
The Parador San Miguel is a four-star boutique hotel located in the heart of Oaxaca, just steps from the Oaxaca Cathedral and other cultural landmarks. The beautiful colonial-style building is celebrated for its warm hospitality and traditional Mexican ambience, including a lush interior courtyard, gardens, comfortable lounge, and rooftop terrace. Bright rooms feature local tiles, high ceilings, and local handicrafts. The hotel offers on-site dining serving traditional Oaxacan cuisine.