A 6 days, 7-night art retreat combining Zen Painting, encaustic monotypes, and brushmaking in the heart of Mexico.
Immerse yourself in an artistic journey where Zen painting, encaustic techniques, and mindful practices come together. This retreat invites you to connect deeply with your inner voice while experiencing the vibrant culture and charm of San Miguel de Allende.
San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO World Heritage site, provides the perfect backdrop for art, culture, and connection. The colors, textures, and light of this city will become part of your creative journey.
Ready to join us?
A $500 non-refundable deposit secures your spot in this experience.
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
This 7-night, 6-day retreat in San Miguel de Allende invites you to explore monotypes, Zen painting, and mixed media inspired by the city’s colors, textures, and vibrant creative culture. Instead of morning walks, we’ll spend time in conversation, visiting local galleries, exploring a nearby pueblo mágico, discovering one of the most important folk art collections in Mexico, and experiencing exhibitions that will feed your artistic curiosity.
We’ll create with inks, papers, and wax, and dive into personal mark-making and layered processes.
With Elizabeth’s guidance, you’ll also craft your own brushes using natural and local materials from Mexico. No previous encaustic experience is needed — just curiosity and the joy of creating.
Schedule:
Day 1 (Thu, Nov 5 ):
Arrival day. Welcome gathering in the evening with introductions, a light botanas dinner with margaritas or agua fresca.
Day 2 (Fri, Nov 6):
9:00 a.m. – Breakfast included
10:00 am DEMO & Class Time
12:00 p.m. Midday meal (comida) included
1:00 -4:00 p.m. DEMO & Class Time
4:00p.m. Free time at studio
Evening free time, followed by a group dinner or on your own
Day 3 (Sat, Nov. 7):
9:00 a.m. Breakfast included
10:00 a.m. Visit Atotonilco Chapel & Atotonilco Gallery
13:30 p.m. Lunch at Nirvana Restaurant (Not Included)
4:00 p.m. Open free time at studio
Evening free time, followed by a group dinner or on your own
Day 4 (Sun, Nov. 8):
9:00 a.m. – Breakfast included
10:00 am DEMO & Class Time
12:00 p.m. Midday meal (comida) included
1:00 -5:00 p.m. Studio Time
Evening free time, followed by a group dinner or on your own
Day 5 (Mon, Nov. 9):
9:00 a.m. – Breakfast included
10:00 a.m. WORK-TIME
12:00 p.m. Midday meal (comida) included
1:00-4:00 p.m. Visit local art exhibitions
Evening free time, followed by a group dinner or on your own
Day 6 (Tue, Nov. 10):
9:00 a.m. – Breakfast included
10:00 a.m. WORK-TIME
12:00 p.m. Midday meal (comida) included
1:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m.WORK-TIME
5:00 p.m. Clean-up studio
Evening free time, followed by a group dinner or on your own
Day 7 (Wed, Nov. 11):
9:00 a.m. Breakfast included
10:00 -2:00 pm Visit the Aurora
Return to San Miguel
3:00 p.m. Setup ArtShow
5:30-7:00 p.m. Art Show open to the public
Farewell Celebration
7:30 Dinner as a group (optional not included)
Day 8 (Thurs, Nov. 12):
Final breakfast before departing to the airport
Pricing:
Ready to reserve your spot?
A $500 non-refundable deposit reserves your spot!
Venue Highlight: Casa de la Noche, a historic building lovingly transformed by Barbara Poole, a patron of the arts, is a short walk from the central Jardin in San Miguel de Allende.
REGISTRATION:
Secure your spot in the workshop with a NON REFUNDABLE $500 deposit.
Early Bird price of $3,600 until November 15th , 2025.
After this date, the full workshop price will be $3,800 USD.
The remaining balance is due May 1st. 2026
Spaces are limited to 16 participants in SHARED rooms. We look forward to welcoming you!
Single occupancy available for an extra $800. This option allows you to bring your partner or guest, who will not be participating in the workshop, and share a single room without extra cost.
Rooms: Hotel rooms will be assigned by Casa de la Noche.
Cancellation Policy
Alchemy of Ink in San Miguel de Allende with Elizabeth Schowachert & Gabriela Sanchez reserves the right to cancel any workshop due to low enrollment without incurring obligations. In such cases, deposits/payments will be fully refunded.
Workshop deposits and fees are applied as a pre-payment of tuition. All student cancellations must be made in writing.
This retreat requires significant planning, sourcing, and acquisition of tools, techniques, and specialized materials. Cancellations received 90 days prior to the workshop start date will be refunded, minus a $750 cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 90 days of the workshop, your fee is non-refundable, unless you can find another artist to fill your spot. If we have a waiting list, we will assist you in reaching out to those artists.
Alchemy of Ink in San Miguel de Allende is a 7-night, 6-day retreat that weaves together Zen Painting, encaustic, and mixed media techniques in the inspiring setting of this UNESCO World Heritage city. We’ll explore movement, breath, and mark-making through a variety of materials, working with color, values, and composition.
Together, we’ll draw inspiration from the vibrant streets, textures, and architecture of San Miguel, bringing those elements into our art. The retreat will culminate in a final group exhibition, celebrating the creative journey we share.
Meet your artistic guides:
Elizabeth Schowachert
Elizabeth Schowachert, a Montana-based artist, finds her artistic muse in the enchanting beauty of her surroundings. With a deep connection to nature, she seamlessly incorporates found materials from her environment into her brush and tool designs, creating a unique fusion of art and nature. Elizabeth’s philosophy revolves around the power of connection. She believes that each brush and tool she crafts establishes a connection between nature and artistry.
As she creates, another connection forms when she uses these tools to unveil captivating visuals with distinctive marks. Her work, including encaustic monotypes, beautifully reflects this profound connection.
Having taught art workshops for over a decade, Elizabeth’s move to Montana in 2019 has expanded her canvas. She now offers a variety of courses and workshops, both online and in person. Her areas of expertise span Sumi-e brushwork, encaustic monotype, and her distinctive fiber and silicone tools.
Elizabeth’s artistry has garnered international recognition, with exhibitions that span across the United States and Asia. Her pieces are a testament to her commitment to crafting meaningful and emotionally evocative art.
Gabriela Sánchez
Born in Mexico City in 1972, Gabriela is a visual artist with a background in Textile Design and a master’s degree in Visual Communication. Her creative journey weaves together technical expertise, personal memories, and poetic expression, resulting in work that feels both intimate and bold.
Throughout her career, Gabriela has exhibited extensively, both in solo and group shows, refining a distinctive style that revolves around the exploration of the line—whether drawn, stitched, or implied—as a fundamental element of expression. From 2002 to 2024, her artistic production has evolved, yet remains anchored in the idea that every mark tells a story.
Currently, Gabriela divides her time between creating new works in her studio and sharing her knowledge through workshops that embrace a variety of techniques, including encaustic, monotype, and mixed media. Each class she teaches reflects her passion for experimentation and the belief that art is a process of discovery, not just a finished product.
For inquiries about available artwork, upcoming workshops, or collaborations, you can contact Gabriela directly.
