TRAVEL STUDY

Paint or Learn to Sculpt in San Miguel

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, February 19 - March 5, 2011

Escape for 2 weeks from frozen February in the states, and join 8 to 12 fellow artists in the Central Highlands of Mexico in beautiful, historical San Miguel de Allende, known as the cradle of the Mexican Revolution. San Miguel was designated as a World Heritage Site in 2008 by UNESCO, and voted one of the top 5 destinations in the Americas by the Condé Nast Traveler 2009 Readers' Choice Awards

The San Miguel art travel program is offering 2 trip options:

1. Learn stone sculpture with renowned sculptor, Ken Smith, in a studio ready with table, tools and stone.

OR

2. Paint without an instructor in your preferred medium.

 

Fee:

Painters: $1,125 (double occupancy) with no instructor
Sculpture Students: $2,000 (double occupancy) with Ken Smith, instructor

Fee includes:

• Lodging for 14 nights at the Hotel Quinta Loreto.
• Van from the León airport or the Querétaro airport to San Miguel.
• Organized instructorless painting at sites throughout San Miguel
• Three dinners, one lunch, all breakfasts.
• Two full day excursions: We will go to another UNESCO World Heritage City, Guanajuato, only 1&1/2 hours drive but three centuries away. Another day we will paint at the quaint village of Mineral de Pozos and stay for lunch.
• 3 critiques with refreshments.
• Fee for trip museums and painting sites.
• Turpentine for oil painters.

Not included:

• 13 lunches. 10 dinners. Art supplies.
• Airfare to Mexico. Air travel to central Mexico is served by American, Continental, Mexicana, and other airlines. Regional airports close to San Miguel are: Querétaro (QRO), 45 minutes from San Miguel, and León (BJX), approximately 1&1/2 hours from San Miguel.

Sculpture Workshop details:
Ten days of instruction with Ken in a studio in San Miguel. He will provide the stone, the tools, work tables, and a dinner at course conclusion. Shipping of sculpture to your home available at cost. You will still be able to participate in the Saturday side trip to Guanajuato, and, if you choose, the day trip to Mineral de Pozos.

About Ken Smith, Stone Sculpture Instructor:
Ken, a New York City native, set aside an early venture into art to become a physician and surgeon (general, plastic and reconstructive surgery), including 21 years in the Navy. Before his retirement from surgery in 1998, he developed his interest and skill in sculpture. Today he has his studio and gallery in Staunton, Virginia, and teaches classes and workshops in sculpture. About his work, he says "I am interested in creating rhythms of light and dark in my pieces, and I strive to couple these with stimulating and sometimes disturbing themes. I also want my pieces to invite the outstretched hand to enhance the experience the viewer shares with my art." For more information, see Ken's web site, www.PassionateStoneStudio.com

About Barbara Albert, trip director:
Barbara is a professional potter (a regular exhibitor at the bi-yearly Crozet Art and Craft Shows) and painter living in Batesville, Virginia. She is also an experienced world traveler, from trekking in the mountains of Tibet to bathing in thermal waters in Antarctica. She is excited to be introducing people to the beautiful, historic city of San Miguel de Allende, to which she has traveled twice in the past 5 years. She speaks Spanish and has several friends living in and around the city who keep her posted on local news. Barbara will hold an informational meeting for all participants prior to the trip.

Lodging:
Hotel Quinta Loreto is a traditional Mexican family accommodation favored by many North Americans. It has a well-regarded restaurant which offers a full breakfast menu in a cozy dining room. Lunch is also available. The Quinta has a very beautiful and large garden, and all rooms have a spacious veranda. Rooms have television, telephone, private bath and some have patios. Location is adjacent to the craft and food market and 5 blocks north of the Plaza Principal.

About Safety in Mexico:
Travel always includes the unknown. Our contacts living in San Miguel assure us that although there are safety issues in other parts of Mexico, this area has not been affected. All international BSSS trips require the participants to purchaseTrip Insurance, and this will help in case of plan changes due to any change in travel warnings issued by the US State Department.

Sites to Visit:
Besides exploring the streets, buildings, galleries and shops in San Miguel, Guanajuato, and Mineral de Pozos, here are some specific sites that may be included in our travels:

In San Miguel:

• Historic Museum de Allende  Birthplace of Ignacio de Allende, Hero of the Mexican revolution. This grand home houses historical exhibits opposite the Parroquia, main church, on the plaza, El Jardin.
• Bellas Artes  A former 18th century convent, housing an art school and a cultural center famous for rotating exhibits and a café.
• Botanical Garden El Charco del Ingenio  A dazzling array of cactus and succulents on a 445 acre property with 4 miles of walking paths.
• Public Library  The best bilingual public library in the Americas featuring a theater showing foreign films, and a restaurant.

In Guanajuato:

• Jardín Union and Teatro Juarez  The town's social center and art deco gem of a theater hosting plays, opera and the famed Cervantes festival.
• Museo Iconográfico del Quijote  A restored 18th century home housing over 600 works of art inspired by Cervantes' anti hero Don Quixote.
• House and Museum of Diego Rivera  Birthplace of Guanajuato’s most famous native son, now restored by Rivera's daughter.
• Museo de la Alhóndiga de Granaditas  The famous granary in which a pitched battle of the Revolution occurred and now a state museum.
• La Valenciana The most beautiful church at the silver mine from which sprang the wealth of Guanajuato.

Registration:

• Deposit of $375 due by September 30
• Deposit of $667 for sculpture workshop program September 30
• Balance in equal installments due by November 16 and January 4
• Cancellation Policy:
  • 90 days prior to leaving (November 16) Fee for cancellation of $150, issued as a travel certificate from BSSS
  • 89 to 45 days prior (up to January 4, 2011), forfeit your deposit
  • 44 to 15 days prior, forfeit 50% of cost
  • 15 days to non-appearance, no refund

For More Information Contact:

• Beverley Street Studio School: (540) 886-8636
  24 West Beverley Street, Staunton, VA 24401
  Email: bssschool@verizon.net
  Office hours:
  • Summer Hours: June-August, Wednesday-Friday 10-12.
  • Regular Hours: September-May, Tuesday-Friday 10-2


• Trip Director Barbara Albert: (434) 823-5286
  Email: Baralbert@mindspring.com