Travel Sketch Mexico City's Alebrije Parade with Meagan Burns Continuous Line Storytelling Experience
4-Day, 5-Night On-Location Art Experience Tuesday, October 17 - Sunday, October 22, 2023
Epic Travel Sketch Experience
Join artist Meagan Burns on this once-a-year opportunity to experience Mexico City's annual Alebrije Parade. We'll spend time exploring the arts and culture side of Mexico City and finish by attending the festive parade sponsored by the city's Mexico Folk Art Museum.
Our small group will be based at a charming hotel in Roma Norte Mexico City where we'll start each day with drawing exercises to prepare you for capturing your experiences in your sketchbook. We'll take cultural outings to museums including the Museo de Arte Popular (Mexican Folk art Museum), Frida Kahlo and the Anthropology. We'll spend time sketching in the streets in carefully selected venues and enjoy local food and vibrant culture, and for our grand finale, we'll attend the annual Alebrije Parade that starts in the the heart of Mexico City's metropolis, at the Zocalo.
This experience is a thoughtfully designed combination of sketching, sculpting and adventuring into the mythical and whimsical side of Mexico City, you don't want to miss this!
What are Alebrijes?
Alebrijes are colorful sculptures that entered the panoply of Mexican folk art in the middle of the last century. They are said to represent spirits that travel freely between this realm and the afterlife. They can be made of wood or paper mache and are intricately painted with vibrant color combinations. Every year in October giant versions are created by teams of skilled artisans and paraded through the streets of Mexico City. This is a uniquely Mexican experience that celebrates both the light hearted and the deeply spiritual aspects of this incredible art form.
Travel Sketching with Meagan Burns
Meagan will offer tips and techniques that will allow you to draw your experience of the lively Mexico City street scenes using the concept of continuous line drawing — one powerful, moving line that dances across your page — a technique Meagan champions to help artists of all skill levels better capture their experience of a location with a more organic and free flowing energy. We'll start each day with drawing warm-ups and exercises so you are prepared to capture your adventures in your sketchbook. These exercises will encourage you to lean into and develop your own personal drawing style and to let go of judgment because after all, this is your experience and your sketchbook!
Mexico City's Annual Alebreje Parade
On the last full day of our time together we will bring our creations to the annual alebrije parade for a delightfully immersive experience that will begin at Mexico City's grand Zocalo and travel through the Centro Historico up through the Paseo Reforma. The Alebrejes are parked on the Paseo for the following week through the Dia de los Muertos festivities, where you can walk among them to appreciate their true beauty and craftsmanship.
Our workshop Grande Finale will not only include the parade but a photo shoot with a professional photographer so we can document our creations, and then an Adios Dinner so we may have one last toast to celebrate our time together.
Meagan and Marti have taken a fresh approach in designing this fresh workshop that offers an immersive opportunity to explore and create in a whole new fully immersive way. They are as excited as you are to experience these delightful events.
Who Should Attend This Workshop
Those who curious to explore the world as an artist by documenting your travels in your sketchbook, with a willingness to sketch on location. Prepare to draw on this workshop!
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 online and 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, with artists sketching each week with the group from around the world. Background is marketing and graphic design, now she provides her community with art making opportunities, urban sketching and delicious tacos. Favorite motto: #makeartstaysane In this new era of traveling art workshops, every aspect has been considered to make all workshops a safe and positive experience. We invite you to take the leap and join us on this culturally rich and educational experience in Oaxaca.
Who Should Attend This Workshop
Those who curious to explore the world as an artist by documenting your travels in your sketchbook, with a willingness to sketch on location. Prepare to draw on this workshop!
WORKSHOP COST: $1,100 USD Add Accommodations: $60 USD per night Single x 5 = $300 Add Travel to Mexico City (MEX)
Mexico City Travel
Mexico City (MEX) is a major hub and easily accessible from almost all corners 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. Uber is also widely used and a safe and efficient way to travel in CDMX. Our hotel is located less than 30 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic, and the taxi should cost approximately $150 pesos, or about $8 USD.
**Note:Mexico City has added a new large airport to its profile, and the unfortunate news is that it's located a good distance from the city proper, about 2 hours away. Please be aware when booking travel to Mexico City to choose the MEX airport and NOT the AIFA airport.
Mexico City Hotel
Arrive: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 (or arrive the day before to get settled) Depart: Sunday, August 22, 2023
Hotel centrally located in Colonia Roma Norte $60 USD single room per night, includes breakfast* *you may opt to get a room without breakfast for $55 per night, but it will be your responsibility to breakfast before we gather
We have a block of rooms reserved at our Roma Norte hotel. You'll pay the hotel directly, approximately$60 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
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 Arrive Hotel, or day before to get settled 4pm Intros and Workshop Agenda in Hotel Lobby Walk to Welcome Dinner at local restaurant (included)
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel Drawing exercises with Meagan 9:30am Private van to Museo de Arte Popular Museum Sketching 2pm Walk to Lunch Restaurant Lunch Break Walk to Palacio de Bellas Artes Return to Hotel Sketchbook Review Dinner
Thursday, October 19, 2023 9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel Drawing exercises with Meagan 9:30am Private van to Coyoacan Frida Kahlo Museum + Sketching 2pm Walk to Lunch Restaurant Lunch Break Sketch Coyacan Plaza Return to Hotel Sketchbook Review Dinner
Friday, October 20, 2023 9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel Drawing exercises with Meagan 9:30am Private van to Anthropology Museum Museum + Sketching 2pm Walk to Lunch Restaurant Lunch Break Sketch Chapultepec Park Return to Hotel Sketchbook Review Dinner
Saturday, October 21, 2023 9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel Drawing exercises with Meagan 10:00am Private van to Centro Historico Alebreje Parade Sketching Alebreje Parade Professional Photo Shoot Adios Dinner at Local Restaurant (included)
Sunday, October 22, 2023 Local Breakfast at wonderful restaurant, hugs, goodbyes Check out and THE END
WORKSHOP COST: $1,100 USD Add Accommodations: $60 USD per night Single x 5 = $300 Add Travel to Mexico City (MEX)
50% Deposit due now to reserve your spot: $700 USD + $21 Transaction Fee = $721 Balance Due August 1, 2023, $700 USD + $21 Transaction Fee = $721 **See below for cancellation policy
PRICE INCLUDES: Travel Sketching Workshop with Meagan Burns Welcome Family Style Dinner at Traditional Roma Norte Restaurant Private Roundtrip Transportation to two museums and Zocalo Admission to Museo de Arte Popular + Museo de Antropologia Professional Photo Shoot upon Workshop Completion Last Night Celebration Dinner at Centro Historico Restaurant Tour management by Meagan Burns // Art Leap Adventures
NOT INCLUDED: Airfare/Transportation to Mexico City (MEX) Transportation to Mexico City Hotel Hotel (see hotel information above) Food & Drinks except for Welcome Dinner, Last Night Celebration (breakfast is included in your hotel reservation) Alcohol, shopping, incidental food, taxi and tips at your discretion Transaction Fee Required Trip Insurance: suggested providers (but please use your own if preferred): Squaremouth – https://www.squaremouth.com/travel-insurance-quotes More COVID policy info: https://www.squaremouth.com/press-room/travel-insurance-coronavirus best choices on Squaremouth: – HTH Worldwide, TripProtector Preferred, includes COVID cancellation – Trawick Intl, Safe Travels Voyager, includes COVID cancellation – TinLeg Gold, includes COVID cancellation another provider: https://www.insuremytrip.com
We’re requiring everyone to purchase travel insurance for this trip (include medical evacuation of at least $50,000, international accident & health insurance including primary medical coverage, and trip cancellation coverage). There are also trip policies that include COVID cancellations. We recommend that you get PRIMARY medical coverage, not secondary. We encourage you to purchase trip insurance with “Cancel for Any Reason” to cover you for unexpected circumstances.
Who Should Attend This Workshop
Those who curious to explore the world as an artist by documenting your travels in your sketchbook, with a willingness to sketch on location. Prepare to draw on this workshop!
Register: Travel Sketch Alebrije Parade Mexico City with Meagan Burns
Mexico City Weather
Dress in Layers! Mexico City enjoys almost year-round ideal weather, although it does have brief rainstorms in the afternoons. Bring some rain gear (like a poncho or umbrella) and a back-up pair of shoes just in case we get wet. Layers are super important to stay comfortable! It gets hot in the afternoon and chilly at night, but is overall really pleasant and non-humid. Locals in CDMX dress relatively conservatively; avoid wearing tank tops and shorts, or you’ll stand out. Dress in Layers!
Covid Safety
This workshop is designed to be mostly outside and many of Mexico City's restaurants are now out in the streets, although generally speaking 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 Meagan, 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 necessary and current boosters are requested; let's do what we can to ensure the group has a safe and enjoyable workshop experience.
If Covid protocols are required by Mexican Government and/or City Officials, we will abide and you must agree to abide.
Suggested Art Materials
I use Canson XL Watercolor 140lb 9"x12" plus Hahnemuhle 100% cotton; I combine these sketchbooks into one and have them spiral bound at my local Office Depot. What's in My Art Bag: Sailor Dude 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 Water Containers Paper Towels Water Bottle (for you to drink) Backpack to carry all your supplies **Tiny stool for sitting (**completely optional to bring a 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 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
- 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 8 participants + Marti + 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, yet currently this ALA agenda includes meat and corn.
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 1, 2023, $721 USD + $21 Transaction Fee = $721
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, you will receive a 100% refund up until August 1, 2023.
3) If you need to cancel after August, 2023, please contact Meagan and we can discuss the options for the possible refund of monies.
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. However this option is not possible if canceled within two months or less until workshop date.
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.