Urban Sketching Dia de los Muertos Mexico City with Meagan Burns Tuesday, October 25 - Monday, October 31, 2022 7-Day, 6 Night Sketching Workshop
The Mexican culture takes their "Dia de los Muertos" holiday quite seriously, as it's a time to honor, remember and celebrate family members and dearly departed who've come before them, and the gatherings take place in their homes, in cemeteries and on the family member's grave site. It's a day of remembrance, and in the past few years, Mexico City has found new and exciting ways for people to participate in this event, so we're inviting small group of sketchers to see and sketch the Mexico City events this year. There's never enough time to see it all, but in this dynamic workshop we'll be based in Roma Norte and we'll take time to explore this hip urban neighborhood, the Centro Historico and two of the city's fascinating top-notch museums.
We'll start our day with drawing warmups and on-location continuous line practices before we set out to produce a sketchbook of the colorful scenes before us. We'll practice sketching architecture, people, altars, museums and tacos and also take time to sit on a park bench to bask in the magic that is Mexico City during the Muertos week.
Continuous Line Urban Sketching is a tool to help you strengthen your drawing abilities and Mexico City is the perfect city to practice this art. At the end of this workshop, your sketchbook will be filled with the magic of Mexico City as only you experienced it.
WHY I BELIEVE IN CONTINUOUS LINE URBAN SKETCHING
WHO IS MEAGAN BURNS
Meagan Burns Artist/Instructor originally from Chicago, first went to San Miguel de Allende in 2001 and now lives in Mexico City where she helps people plow through their drawing fears by practicing Continuous Line Urban Sketching in the fascinating streets of Mexico City and beyond. She rallied the San Miguel de Allende sketching community to become a Regional Chapter of Urban Sketchers in 2016, and is an administrator. Background is marketing and graphic design, she now she provides her community with art making opportunities, urban sketching and tacos. Favorite motto: #makeartstaysane
Art Leap Adventures is a art workshop tour agency Meagan created in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico in 2017. Everything moved to online live Zoom classes when Covid hit, teaching back-to-back sketch classes three times a week in the Zoom Sketch Sessions, as well as Watercolor Drama Watercolor workshops with friend and fellow artist Laurie Richards.
In this new era of workshops and travel, every aspect has been considered to make our workshops a safe and positive experience. We invite you to join one of our artful experiences when you are ready.
Mexico City is a fascinating and diverse city, and I invite you to me on this 6-night urban sketching adventure. Each morning we'll gather after breakfast in our Roma Norte hotel for drawing warmups and lines exercises before heading out for the day to see and experience the altars, art and spectacles on display around town, including museum visits and a flower mercado visit -- you do not want to miss this fascinating annual cultural event! Each evening we'll gather in a local restaurant for a meal and to review our sketches from the day. Bring your sketchbook bag, solid walking shoes and sense of adventure and your appetite, we're going to see and sketch Mexico City like never before.
LEARNING GOALS
Our overall goal is to learn to confidently on location, no matter what the subject matter. This workshop is a travel experience and we will learn to capture it all with a small and versatile kit, and in quick sketches throughout our days: - We will sketch people, food, architecture and experiences throughout the duration of the workshop - Push through drawing fears to add more unique character to your urban sketches - Gain a better understand of composition and logistics on the page by practicing continuous line - Build confidence and a sense of accomplishment by starting and completing your drawings with unique stroke
WORKSHOP COST: $1,400 USD Accommodations: $50 USD per night Single x 6 = $300
MEXICO CITY HOTEL
Six Nights, Seven Days Arrive: Tuesday, October 25, 2022 Depart: Monday, October 31, 2022 Airport Code: MEX Hotel Milan in Colonia Roma Norte Avenida Alvaro Obregon 91, Cuauhtémoc 06700 Cuidad de Mexico, CDMX $50 USD single room per night, includes breakfast* *you may opt to get a room without breakfast for $45 per night, but it will be your responsibility to breakfast before we gather
Our hotel for the duration of this workshop is Hotel Milan, and we have a block of rooms reserved. You'll pay the hotel directly, approximately $50 USD per night for a single room that includes breakfast, once your registration is confirmed; Meagan will confirm a room for you at the hotel.
If you prefer to stay elsewhere for the duration of the workshop, please note your plans in the registration comment section. For ease of access, it is suggested to stay close to Roma Norte in either a hotel or Airbnb of your choice.
WORKSHOP AGENDA detailed agenda will be sent upon registration
Tuesday, October 25 Arrive Mexico City Tuesday Welcome Dinner
Wednesday, October 26 Meet after breakfast in Hotel Drawing warmups and practice continuous lines with local subjects Travel by van to Art Museum in Centro Historico Lunch Sketching Time Dinner
Thursday, October 27 Meet after breakfast in Hotel Drawing warmups and practice continuous lines with local subjects Travel by van to Pan de Muerto Baking & Sketching class Walk to Angel de la Independcia Lunch Sketching Time Dinner
Friday, October 28 Meet after breakfast in Hotel Drawing warmups and practice continuous lines with local subjects Travel by van to Condesa Cafe Flower Mercado Food Tour with Guide Lunch Sketching Time Dinner
Saturday, October 29 Meet after breakfast in Hotel Drawing warmups and practice continuous lines with local subjects Travel by van to Chapultepec Park Dia de los Muertos Parade (***date not yet confirmed***) Lunch Sketching Time Dinner
Sunday Meet after breakfast in Hotel Drawing warmups and practice continuous lines with local subjects Altars and Ambiance, a Day of Sketching Lunch Final Dinner and Sketchbook Review
Monday Check out and goodbyes - END
TRANSPORTATION
Mexico City (MEX) is a major hub and easily accessible from almost every corner of the world. Upon you arrival at the MEX airport, there are verified taxi stands where you can purchase your taxi ride with a verified taxi driver. Our hotel is located less than 30 minutes form the airport, depending on traffic, and the taxi should cost approximately $125 pesos, or about $10 USD.
**Note: Mexico City is adding a new large airport to its profile, and the unfortunate news is that it's located a good distance from the city proper, about 1.5 hours away. It's unclear when the transition of arrivals and departures will take place, but please be aware that at some point in the near future when traveling to Mexico City, you may land at the new AIFA airport.
WORKSHOP COST: $1,400 USD
50% Deposit due now to reserve your spot: $700 USD + $21 Transaction Fee = $721 Balance Due August 26, 2022, $700 USD + $21 Transaction Fee = $721 **See below for cancellation policy
PRICE INCLUDES: Meagan Burns 7-Day, 6-Night Sketch Workshop Welcome Dinner at Roma Norte Restaurant Transportation to local Musems and Centro Historico Admission to Folk Art + Anthropology Museums Local Tour guide, transportation, tour and lunch at Flower Mercado Pan de Muerto Baking & Sketching Class with Local Chef Last Night Adios Celebration at Roma Norte Restaurant Tour management by Meagan Burns Art Leap Adventures
NOT INCLUDED: Airfare/Transportation to Mexico City (MEX) Transportation to Hotel Milan in Roma Norte Hotel (see hotel information above) Food & Drinks except for Welcome Dinner, Mercado Food Tour, Last Night Celebration (breakfast is included in your hotel reservation) Alcohol, shopping, incidental food, taxi and tips at your discretion Transaction Fee Required Proof of Vaccination Required Trip Insurance: suggested providers (but please use your own if preferred): Allianz Travel Insurance Mexico Insurance Advisors
COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Although Mexico never officially closed their borders throughout the Covid pandemic, much of the country followed strict safety protocols even as vaccinations became available, and as Covid numbers have been in decline. Foreigners living in Mexico also were able to get vaccinated, although not as easily as in the United States nor Canada, but none the less the vaccination program throughout Mexico has been successfully employed as a Temporary Resident of Mexico. Currently mask mandates are in place, however this seems to be a fast-changing topic. The workshop is designed to be mostly outside and many of Mexico City's restaurants are now out in the streets, although much of life has always been lived in the streets in Mexico. Proof of vaccination is required to attend this workshop, as it is show of respect and regard for being a tourist in Mexico. If you have any further concerns about the Covid situation in Mexico, please feel free to reach out to me, but I have been living in Mexico City since 2021 and have found it somewhat easy to navigate an outdoor existence because so much happens outside. Personal responsibility is required, and I am here to help make this an enjoyable experience even in an uncertain world.
If Covid protocols are required by Mexican Government and/or City Officials, we will abide and you must agree to abide.
MEXICO CITY WEATHER
Dress in Layers! Mexico City enjoys almost year-round ideal weather, although it does have a pretty thick rainy season which begins around May. Your smartphone weather app may say rain for the day, but generally speaking the rains move in around 3pm and are done by 6pm, so most people know to do what they need to do by 3pm, and be tucked in by mid-afternoon so they can be out by dinnertime. Dressing in layers is your best bet, having some rain gear and a back-up pair of shoes in case we get caught in the rain.
Complete agenda will be emailed upon registration
Artist, Instructor, Tour Manager Meagan Burns in Roma Norte CDMX
Comprehensive Art Supply List
I suggest having at least two sketchbooks; one larger one for Continuous Line Urban Sketches in the streets and a smaller one for quick street scenes. Just make sure they are quality sketchbooks! I use Canson XL Watercolor 140 lb 9"x12" spiral bound book for this workshop. For watercolor paintings I use Fabriano Artistico and I also carry my hand-sized, handmade Fabriano 50 5"x7" sketchbook for my quick street sketches. You'll need a lot of Sharpies "fine point", I recommend bringing a box, but they are widely available in CDMX if you run out. I will supply paper for our drawing warmups and exercise, then you many use your arsenal for urban sketching.
Sailor Fude de Mannen Fountain Pen (or similar of your choice) Sharpie Fine Point Markers Quality Watercolors in Travel Pan Set (Daniel Smith is recommended) Quality Watercolor Brushes Pentel Brush Pens Platinum Carbon Ink (for Sailor and Pentel Brush) HB Pencil Gum Eraser Two Water Containers Paper Towel Backpack to carry all your supplies Tiny stool for sitting (highly recommended to have a handy portable stool to sit on;I have the Cooseon 10" folding stool, folds up nicely and fits in my backpack, but others prefer the Walkstool Comfort) Sun Hat + sturdy walking shoes Stash of N95 Masks Layers of clothes for chilly mornings, warm afternoons, rainy evenings A regard for the safety of yourself and others Your enthusiasm and sense of adventure
Additional art supplies of your preference. *It is not an option to attend this urban sketch workshop and not participate in the sketching activities
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SMALL PRINT, PLEASE READ
Minor agenda changes may occur, but the substance of the tour will remain. Please always be armed with your walking shoes, N95 masks, sun hat, sketch bag and sense of adventure, as there will be sketching prompts throughout the workshop, as well as unforeseen circumstances that naturally occur in Mexico. We'll roll with the changes and ask for your patience if a change in the agenda is necessary. Group is limited to 9 participants + Meagan During our group meals; we will have one bill per table and you must pay for what you consume plus a 20% tip. Please keep track of what you consume. Food sensitivities can be accommodated with proper notification, but please know that corn is an extremely important ingredient in the food and culture in Mexico. Vegan and vegetarian options exists, with diligence. Physical ability to walk unassisted and stand for extended periods is absolutely necessary.
50% Deposit due now to reserve your spot: $700 USD + $21 Transaction Fee = $721 Balance Due August 26, 2022, $700 USD + $21 Transaction Fee = $721 You will receive an Art Leap Adventures' invoice from the ALA Bookkeeper, Lisa F., after we've received your registration, which will include a 3% USD transaction fee. Lisa can answer any questions you have in regards to payment. If you require assistance with travel arrangements, please allow Meagan to assist you.
CANCELLATION POLICY
1) All individual cancellations must be made in writing and are effective upon receipt.
2) If you have paid your deposit or trip fee and are unable to attend due to medical emergency or pandemic affiliated issue you will receive a 100% refund up until July 29, 2022.
3) If you need to cancel after July 29, 2022, please contact Meagan and we can discuss the options.
4) If a waiting list of interested participants has formed, we will put you in contact with the first person on the list to whom you can offer your class spot. If the person accepts and then pays the workshop fee in total, you will be reimbursed for your workshop fee.
5) If there is no waiting list, you can transfer your paid fees to another ALA travel workshop within 12 months.
6) Participant expenses incurred in preparation for the trip (e.g., non-refundable purchased airline tickets) are not the responsibility of ALA. It is required to obtain medical/trip cancellation insurance for this reason.
7) If an emergency occurs and you must make a change to your participation status, please contact Meagan to discuss.