An Artistic Adventure in San Miguel de Allende

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE

A Painter's Paradise

 

I have had the pleasure of putting together a special itinerary for October of next year for a group of ladies from Denver that are avid painters and love to travel to exotic places for some unique workshops.  And believe me, this will be an incredible adventure!  

 Ten days in San Miguel de Allende and

staying at a charming B & B right in the historic center of town.  

Experience the exceptional treasures of San Miguel;  its beautiful colonial architecture, delicious cuisine, native culture, comfortable climate, endless shopping and interesting museums.  A place I have lived and spent time in for over the past 49 years. 

A walking tour on Day two

with lunch at one of my favorite restaurants where Chef Anna Lilia will prepare a special lunch just for us.   

After lunch we will tour, La Esquina, the children's folk art museum situated in an old colonial three-story home that has been meticulously restored.  The concept of Maestra Angélica Tijerina when creating La Esquina was to group the works into four main themes, to promote and disseminate popular toys and games highlighting their manufacturing characteristics, materials and social function, as well as their artistic qualities, expression of creativity and cultural diversity of the country.  Over the course of 57 years, Tijerina has collected an astounding collection of over 3,500 Mexican toys from 28 different states in Mexico.

More on La Esquina, go to the post on my Blog:   

Link: https://robintalkscookstravels.blogspot.com/2017/12/la-esquina-childrens-folk-museum.html

One morning we will walk over to La Fabrica Aurora.  The La Aurora textile factory was one of San Miguel de Allende’s most important industrial operations from its opening in 1902 to its closure in 1991. It was the town’s biggest employer.  In 2004, it was re-inaugurated in its current form, a bustling collection of shops, galleries and cafes that many refer as a paradise for art lovers.

That afternoon we will spend at the lovely home of my good friend, Chef Paco's, up on the hill where we will have an inter-active cooking class of some phenomenal recipes.

After we will dine al fresco and enjoy the lunch that was prepared along with some local wines.

On our way to the first day of our painting workshop, we will make a stop at  the Sanctuary of Atotonilco (often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of Mexico).

The murals are everywhere and it is truly spectacular.

Artist Frank Garnder is a landmark in San Miguel.  I recently met with him to talk about the workshop and I was very inspired by what he was proposing knowing that my group is not new to painting.  A graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1986 with a BFA in Painting, he had a desire to explore the world and find true inspiration for his paintings.  This eventually led him on his second trip to Mexico in 1990 to San Miguel and it  has been his home ever since.  

 

Frank says, “A controlled chaos or loose spontaneity is my favored look, although each color and stroke is well thought out and carefully placed. I try and convey to the viewer my feelings about the scene through my use of color and brushwork. I’ll let the subject, my mood, or both determine how much detail is required to complete each painting.”  

 

For more on Frank, go to www.FrankGardner.com 

Frank's studio space is streaming with natural light and an ideal spot to spend the day.  You will be at Frank's studio three out of the four days.

 

Some works in progress from a landscape, caballeros, collages, a painting of his collage...

 A series of collages in the works...

Frank's property is an oasis in the campo (countryside)!  The cacti are just spectacular and the craftsmanship of the stonework is superb.  

An ideal landscape for Plein Air painting...  The lighting in San Miguel is spectacular, especially the morning and afternoon light.  Ideal for painters and photographers.

A break from the workshop, a side trip over over to Guanajuato where we will experience the elegant architecture, 

gorgeous churches and pedestrian streets,

 the beautiful Opera House, Diego Rivera Museum, 

world renowned Gorky Gonzales’s ceramic studio and then enjoy a sublime, gourmet meal at the best restaurant in town, Casa Mercedes. 

One day with Frank will be at the exclusive Rancho del Sol Dorado.

A beautiful venue with stables, horses, an outdoor kitchen for dining, 

 goats, chickens...

One morning will be at a taller (workshop) where you will create your own mini-Mojiganga!  

Mojigangas, supersize papier-mâché puppets, are a staple of almost every San Miguel de Allende wedding, fiesta, and callejoneada (parade).   The word "mojiganga" carries with it the meaning of "burlesque"... these giants are farcical and expansive exaggerations of humanity.

Pack your canvas and supplies for we will then head over to the phenomenal setting and spectacular home, Casa AguaMiel, 

and gallery of dear friends, Alfredo and Jim's, for an afternoon of painting

followed by an early dinner starting with a Tequila tasting, then a variety of mesquite grilled pizzas with traditional and Mexican toppings, salads and side dishes, dessert, wine, beer and fruit waters.  

They just recently hosted the opening night gala at their home for the International Film Festival.  It was over the top.

The last day you are on your own to shop, sight see, wander around town before we meet up for our farewell dinner when I have my favorite trio play for us over our cocktail hour.

 

My first encounter with San Miguel de Allende was the summer of 1974 when I went to the Art Institute and that same summer my parents bought their first Mexican house in the historic center of town.  And that is when my love affair with Mexico, especially San Miguel started.  Because of my intimate, long relationship with San Miguel, I receive extraordinary service, have exceptional contacts and countless resources in town.  On my tours, we dine at some of the best restaurants.  My driver and transportation service are top notch, whose owner I have know for over 25 years.  It is easy to say San Miguel is "my home away from home".

 

 

You simply just have to show up.  

I will have taken care of everything.  

That's the beauty of my tours.

It's a trip of a lifetime!   

 

 

TRAVEL IS THE ONLY THING YOU BUY 

THAT MAKES YOU RICHER 

 

October 12 - 22, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

Pipila and the Scenic Panaramic View of Gauanajuato

When I have my San Miguel de Allende tours, we always make a day trip over to Guanajuato and our first stop is the magnificent scenic overlook with the spectacular panoramic view of colorful Guanajuato.  In the 1700's Guanajuato was the largest silver producing city ever, providing over 70% of its silver to the Old World.  

The Pipila monument stands about 10 meters tall and is a reminder of the War of Independence.  Pipila, Juan Jose de los Reyes Martinez, was a hero and patriot born in San Miguel de Allende in 1782.  In 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo's forces were besieging the granary in Guanajuato where the Spaniards had taken refuge.  It was Pipila, a miner at one time, who slapped a slab of of stone to his back to deflect the gunfire and stormed the overwhelmingly massive granary (alhonidiga) and set fire to its doors, thus opening the way for the rebels to enter and occupy the stronghold.  In stone, he continues to hold the torch high, standing above the plaque promising "there are still other Alhondigas to burn." 

Today the Alhondigas de Granaditas contradicts it gory past.  On each of the four corners of the building, you will find large hooks set into the wall.  Each hook held a cage with the head of the heroes (Father Miguel Hidalgo, Juan Aldama, General Ignacio Allende and Mariano Jimenez) until 1821 when the Spaniards left Mexico for Spain for good.  Today the Alhondiga is a state and federal museum.

A view of town with the Guanajuato Mountains in the back and the prominent Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Guanajuato dead center and the state University behind it.

I love all the pedestrian streets in Guanajuato.  So welcoming.

The interior of the Basilica with 15 huge crystal chandeliers adorning the vaulted ceiling.  The Virgin at the back of the church is made of wood and was given to the city by Felipe II in 1557.  It has been venerated in Spain since the year 714 and so it is the oldest religious figure in Mexico.

El jardin de la Union is the main plaza is unique.  Because of the lack of flat land conducive to the typical broad, square Mexican plaza, the plaza is a rather unusual shape and it has the nickname, "a wedge of cheese".  Almost entirely covered by a thick canopy of Laurel trees, there is a handsome gazebo in the middle.

 

Very European is feeling with its grand architecture.

A panoramic view of the city.  It's a wonderful entree to the city and everyone is always excited to explore further.