Santa Fe in New Mexico has launched its March offerings, including “DIY: A Creative Tourism Journey”, said to give visitors the chance to spend all or part of a vacation taking workshops from artists and artisans. The workshops are offered with partner hotels providing discounted rates to participants.
There are various options to choose from, including: Sharon Candelario, who will teach a day of traditional tinwork at her family’s café, shop, and gallery in the village of Chimayo; making glass beads at Donna Nova Designs; lessons with photographer Craig Varjabedian, who will take shutterbugs on a four -day photographic exploration of the northern New Mexico people, landscape, and architecture he has been photographing for thirty years; and lessons with artist Julie Claire, who believes that painting on a bold, large scale connects students to their innermost joy and freedom, even if they haven’t held a paintbrush since second grade.
Also included are: Japanese paper making, egg decorating in Southwestern motifs, spinning wool, bead making, silk painting, abstract painting, and print making. DIY Santa Fe is ideal for groups of friends, multi-generational families and couples.
Visitors book the hotel, inn or bed and breakfast of their choice for as long as they want, and book one or more workshops directly with the artists.
DIY: A Creative Tourism Journey is a project of Santa Fe Creative Tourism, which offers over 250 creative experiences throughout the year. In 2005, Santa Fe was named to the Creative Cities Network by UNESCO. It was the first American city to be so honored.
