November 7 - 14 2025
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, MEXICO
Kelly Milukas & Gabriela Sánchez
Immerse yourself in an exploration of color, values, and light, combining Zen painting and encaustic techniques. This curated experience unfolds within the vibrant culture and picturesque landscape of San Miguel de Allende.
Imagine a week-long journey in the heart of Mexico, where we blend modern encaustic techniques with the colors, values, inks, and inspiration drawn from the nature and rich culture of San Miguel de Allende. We’re excited to co-teach and create alongside you in this unique experience.
Ready to reserve your spot?
A $500 non-refundable deposit reserves your spot!
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
This 6 day artist retreat, a week of exploration and creativity in the heart of Mexico, where we’ll blend contemporary encaustic techniques with inks, values, and colors inspired by the nature and rich culture of San Miguel de Allende.This will be a space to experiment with layers, transparencies, and textures, letting the materials guide the process. We’ll work intuitively, combining technique with personal expression, and allowing each piece to unfold naturally. for those who are looking to deepen their practice through an exploration of art making, design thinking, and mindfulness.
*Participants must have a basic understanding of encaustic, including application and experience fusing with a torch.
Schedule:
Day 1 (Fri, Nov. 7): Arrival day. Welcome gathering in the evening with introductions, a light botanas dinner with margaritas or agua fresca.
Day 2 (Sat, Nov. 8):
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
Evening free time, followed by a group dinner or on your own
Day 3 (Sun, Nov. 9):
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
Evening free time, followed by a group dinner or on your own
Day 4 (Mon, Nov. 10):
9:00 a.m. -Breakfast included
10:00 am DEMO & Class Time
12:00 p.m. Midday meal (comida) include.
1:00-4:00 p.m. Studio time
Evening free time, followed by a group dinner or on your own
Day 5 (Tues, Nov. 11):
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
Day 6 (Wed, Nov. 12):
9:00 a.m. Breakfast included
10:00 -3:00 pm Visit the Aurora
Return to San Miguel
4:00 p.m. visit local art galleries
6:00p.m. Dinner as a group (optional, not included)
Day 7 (Thurs, Nov. 13):
9:00 a.m. Breakfast
10:00 a.m. Setup ArtShow
12:00 p.m. Lunch on your own
4:00-6:00 p.m. Art Show open to the public
Farewell Celebration
7:30 Dinner as a group (optional not included)
Day 8 (Fri, Nov. 14):
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.
We originally published an Early Bird price of $2,995, and we will honor this rate for all registrations made before March 31, 2025.
After this date, the full workshop price will be $3,600 USD.
The remaining balance is due May 1st.
Spaces are limited to 12 participants in shared rooms.We look forward to welcoming you!
Cancellation Policy
Gabriela Sanchez Art & Milukas Studio/Imagination Collaboration LLC reserves the right to cancel any workshop due to low enrollment without incurring obligations, and deposits/payments would be returned. The workshop deposits and fees are applied as a pre-payment of tuition. All student cancellations must be made in writing. X-PLORE ZEN, WAX, COLOR in San Miguel de Allende, is a significant retreat to plan, source and acquire tools, techniques and vast materials. Cancellations received 90 days prior to the workshop start, receive a refund less a $750 cancellation fee. If you cancel after the 90 day time frame from the class, your fee is non-refundable, unless you can find another artist to fill your space. Should artists be on a waiting list, we will help you in reaching out to them.
*6 Day Retreat that includes five days of hands-on making, blending encaustic, Zen Painting, and mixed media techniques in the inspiring setting of San Miguel de Allende. We’ll explore movement, breath, and mark-making through encaustic, while Kelly Milukas will guide us in working with color, values, and composition. Together, we’ll take inspiration from the vibrant streets, textures, and architecture of San Miguel, bringing those elements into our work.
Jodi Reeb
Meet your artistic guides:
Kelly Milukas
Kelly Milukas is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist whose work spans sculpture, encaustic, pastel, and mixed media. Known for her joyful and colorful abstractions, she blends storytelling with elements of science and imagination. Kelly’s art often reflects themes of nature, music, and scientific discovery, inviting viewers to explore with curiosity.
Her career includes leadership roles, such as President Emerita of South Coast Artists and past president of the Providence Art Club. She also teaches for R&F Handmade Paints and participates in collaborative residencies with scientific communities. Kelly’s work is exhibited in private and public collections across the U.S., showcasing her commitment to process, experimentation, and the beauty of exploration
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.
