Creativity Retreat in Oaxaca, Mexico
January 18-25, 2026
¡Bienvenidos!
This will be my 5th annual 6-day creativity retreat in beautiful Oaxaca, Mexico. The workshop will include 6 days of plein air painting with pastels in the Oaxaca area, morning lectures and art discussions, excursions to artisan villages to experience the Oaxaca crafts and of course daily delights of Oaxacan food, open air markets, a cooking class and culture. Steeped in a cultural exploration of all that Oaxaca has to offer, come to enjoy the warmth and sun and dive into your own creative retreat. Daily creative exercises, demos and lots of one on one instruction. I purposely keep the group small so it’s an intimate private experience. I will be demoing in pastels, but all mediums are 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.
Plein air painting time that will focus on compelling composition of the city and landscapes in plein air as well travel and portability tips.
Every day will start with optional rooftop morning mediation, vinyasa flow yoga, and private catered breakfasts followed by art lectures, demos and studio painting time right in the comforts of our private home. This very private feel will allow you to leave your stuff out with security without the distraction of a larger hotel and other guests. Lunch will at nearby restaurants and afternoons are open to explore the shops and museums, sketch or take a siesta. We gather again in the late afternoon and evenings plein air to catch the evening light. This will be a total of 30 hours of workshop time. Pastel experience necessary.
Costs & Inclusions
The cost of this 6-day retreat is $3,100. See below for payment information and options. If you’d like to bring your spouse or an extra person with you, you can do so for a fee of $680. More information below.
What is included?
Daily art instruction with Amanda Houston
Breakfasts
Dinners
Optional Vinyasa flow yoga
Lodging
2 days of tours outside of the city
2 large lunches outside of the city
2 chef-prepared meals at the house
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 plan to bring portable easels and the majority of your own painting supplies.
Lodging
We will be staying in a beautiful private colonial style house in the heart of the city for the 5th 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 yoga (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.
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.
Transportation 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. Give the address and pay. You will be asked if you are going to Zone 1 or 2. We will be going to Zone 1.
If you'd rather ride alone in a taxi, you'll book at this same stand. The prices in the photo are likely out of date, but they're close.
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.
Sign up & Payment Information
Workshop fee:
To sign up for this unforgettable retreat you have the choice to pay the full fee of $3,100 in one single payment, or over two instalments.
Spouse/extra person fee:
You are welcome to bring a spouse or other family member with you, who is welcome to join us for meals, excursions and our daily movement classes. The fee for an extra person is $680, which you can select when making your payment.
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.