8 Day Artistic Immersion Retreat in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

The Isis Rodriguez Art Retreat is a unique immersive experience designed to unlock your creativity and deepen your connection to art and culture. It is built around the philosophy of 'nepantla,' a 16th-century Nahua word meaning 'in the middle of things.' This concept embraces the transformative space between worlds, cultures, and ideas, and it is this creative threshold that Isis encourages her students to explore. Each day is a balance of structured learning and free-form exploration, allowing you to develop technique while letting your own style emerge organically.

Guests stay in a stunning private loft apartment, complete with a full-size bed, kitchen, private bath, and a patio perfect for sunbathing, meditation, or watching the sunset over the mountains. The centerpiece of the retreat is the large, fully-stocked art studio, a peaceful 750-square-foot professional space filled with natural light and a variety of materials. Here, Isis offers four personalized art classes from Monday to Thursday, where you can choose from oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, charcoals, graphite, and pen and ink. Your projects can range from portraiture and still life to landscapes and abstraction, with Isis guiding you according to your skill level and artistic voice.

Beyond the studio, the retreat includes a 3-hour guided art tour to contemporary museums and galleries. Isis will introduce you to the diverse, vibrant art scene that exists beyond the mainstream tourist experience, from neo-Mexicanism to indigenous folk art and avant-garde installations. You'll also have ample free studio time each afternoon to continue your projects or experiment with new techniques. In the evenings, you can explore the town's many offerings or choose from optional add-ons like an underground nightlife tour, a farewell dinner, or a relaxing massage.

The benefits of this retreat extend far beyond artistic skill. It's an opportunity to escape the pressures of daily life, drop into a slower rhythm, and discover a deeper sense of self. Guests consistently report feeling more relaxed, creatively inspired, and mentally clear. The intimate, personalized setting ensures that your experience is exactly what you need it to be—whether that's focused technical development, free-form exploration, or simply time to reflect and recharge in one of the world's most beautiful colonial cities.

What's included

- Accommodation in a private loft with private bath and kitchen - Gourmet continental breakfast Monday-Friday - 4 private art classes with Isis Rodriguez (Mon-Wed) - Free studio time daily (1 pm - 6 pm) - 1 guided art tour (3 hours) to contemporary galleries/museums - 1 Mexican artisanal gift - High-speed Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and laundry service - Private parking - Luggage storage - Pre- and post-retreat support from the team

What's not included

- Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Lunch & dinner - Optional add-ons (nightlife tour, goodbye dinner, massage, extra nights) - Airport transfers (shuttle available at extra cost)