info@gayleweisfield.com

Workshops — Gallery — BogaBoard Watercolor Paper Stretcher — 3D — Prints — Sold Work
About Gayle — Contact Us — Links —   Home

Guatemala

Date: May 14 - 24, 2007
Three cities, five-star travel experience

Arguably, one of the rising stars on the International Workshop scene, Gayle Weisfield is a Signature Member of the Northwest Watercolor Society and a Charter Member of the Southwest Washington Watercolor Society. She currently instructs workshops in Hawaii, Mexico, and Guatemala as well as all over the West Coast of the United States.

Kathrin Parsons, a licensed and practicing Life Coach and Creative Facilitator of Kathrin Parson’s Creative Retreats says of Gayle, “ a professional watercolor painter with an outstanding résumé, Gayle is one of the most fabulous art teachers I have ever worked with. She brought the best out in each woman—from the complete novice, to the professional artist; each woman on the retreat had at least one terrific, finished painting to take home.”

This is your chance to learn and paint with Gayle Weisfield in a one of th e most scenic settings and best kept secrets in the art world today…Guatemala. A “re-discovered” paradise for artists, Guatemala is a destination that most North Americans have overlooked for decades. This “land of eternal spring” once again calls artists, culture seekers, shoppers, and those who want to see and experience a beautiful and fascinating country where the ever colorful Maya practice their traditional customs and dress like their ancestors did hundreds of years ago. You'll fall in love with their calm, disarming nature. There are very few places left in the world where one can still witness the magic of traditional indigenous peoples .

You will stay in some of Guatemala's most charming and distinctive hotels. You will go behind the scenes to grow in an understanding of both Guatemala's Maya and Colonial history. There will be lots of time for visiting Maya markets and villages such as Chichicastenango and Comalapa, and opportunities for buying handicrafts and textiles known the world over for their beauty and quality. In Guatemala, beauty pursues the traveler as well as the artist, and you will find fascinating subject matter everywhere. Come participate in a creative feast for the heart and soul. Join Gayle on this adventure of a lifetime.

Workshop Setting and Highlights…

Guatemala City…

Discover the beauty of the QuintaReal ( www.quintareal.com) overlooking the City and facing the colossal “Fuego” and “Agua” volcanoes. Its feel and look is a resplendent blend of Guatemalan and Mexican art and architecture.

Travel through the highlands of Guatemala with vistas of great mountain peaks, plateaus, and valleys. Lake Atitlán, “the most beautiful lake in the world”, with its three towering volcanoes standing guard over azure waters and twelve Maya villages is truly inspirational. You will feel suspended in time as you watch a Maya fisherman in his dugout cayuco, plying his trade as his ancestors have done for centuries. The color, the dramatic landscapes, the deeply entrenched Maya culture will create memories to last a lifetime. You will stay at the Hotel Atitlán ( www.hotelatitlan.com), the water’s edge and surrounded by beautiful botanical gardens.

Chichicastenango…

The markets are the “crown jewel” of Guatemala, brimming with beautiful hand woven textiles and splendid works of art and crafts in designs and techniques passed on from generation to generation. The Maya/Catholic rituals and open-air market of world famous Chichicastenango, and the blazing colors of everyday dress will enthrall you. Here you will stroll the market and visit the churches of this unique Maya village.

Antigua…

In a verdant valley, surrounded by lofty volcanoes, the picturesque, time trapped city of Antigua will capture your heart. Antigua is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Central America. The romantic ambiance of its richly textured ruins, draped in vibrant bougainvillea, its peaceful parks, cobblestone streets, churches, monasteries, and colonial homes with courtyards provide artistic inspiration. You will stay at the most incredible Hotel Casa Santo Domingo ( www.casasantodomingo.com.gt), built from the ruins of a 16 th century monastery, where the sounds of running water in the stone-carved fountains, candlelight throughout the hallways, and fresh flowers everywhere will simply take your breath away.

Workshop/Tour May 14 - 24, 2007

Mon 14th: Fly into Guatemala City, overnight at Hotel Quinta Real, on a mountainside overlooking the city and volcanoes.

Tues 15th: We will travel to the village of Comalapa which has become an important center of naïf painting largely due to Andrés Curruchich, whose paintings are in galleries the world over. A wonderful Maya market here. T hen, travel through the magnificent Guatemala highlands with spectacular vistas and scenes of the Maya in a world not too changed from hundreds of years ago. A welcome, overview of the workshop, and discussion of workshop goals with Gayle . (B,L,D)

Thurs 17th: Boat across Lake Atitlán, viewing beautifully terraced mountainsides and volcanoes, to the village of Santiago for an incredible cultural experience and a little shopping in the artists’ colony. A Tz’utujil lunch at a private home (featured in Architectural Digest, Aug, 2002), built in the traditional style of Tz’utujil architecture will thrill you. Art upon return. (B,L,D)

Fri 18th: Another day for painting and sketching opportunities in the village of San Antonio Palopo, known for its wonderful ceramics and onion growing. Wine party to show off your work. B,L,D)

Sat 19th: There will be on-sight instruction by Gayle today. Take a walk up the Nature Trail and to the Butterfly Farm, relax in the gardens of the hotel, paint, draw, photograph, swim, or go into the local village of Panajachel. (B,L,D)

Sun 20th: Travel to Chichicastenango and its world famous market. Colorful, exciting; a maelstrom of furious commerce and the best place in the country to buy textiles and handicrafts. The magic of the Maya and their religion is everywhere.

After lunch we travel to colonial Antigua. Feel the romantic ambiance of its flower-filled courtyards, its narrow cobbled streets, and Spanish architecture. (B,L,D)

Mon 21st: In Antigua, take time this morning to explore your hotel, full of opportunity for inspiration with its architecture, colonial artwork (magnificent treasures) and special details in every corner. It is an ongoing archeological excavation site of a 16 th century Monastery with several “world class” museums. Gayle will be available for individual instruction or critique so find your spot and paint away. (B)

Tues 22nd: This morning we will walk to a pre-selected site for some painting time. After lunch, join us on an Antigua ruins tour and private tour of the Jade Factory, museum and shop. (B)

Wed 23rd: Free day. Our finale will be the recognition of our work together in the form of a group exhibition . Tonight we’ll join for dinner, and reflection. This is an evening to celebrate our trip to Guatemala and share our experiences. (B)

Thurs 24th: Departures for home. (B)

Accompanying your Workshop/Tour

Anita Rogers lived in Guatemala for 25 years, speaks Spanish, and was a collector of Maya weavings and Spanish Colonial antiques. She has been around the travel industry most of her life, as her family owns the beautiful Hotel Atitlán on Lake Atitlán in the Guatemala highlands. John Korte has traveled to Guatemala for the past 20 years. They understand local customs and business practices. They stay in the hotels, eat in the restaurants, and ride the transportation, personally experiencing every aspect of their workshop/tours. They know the “hidden treasures’ as well as the little bits of information only the locals know. Their experience, relationships, and knowledge of the country allow them to provide a worry-free, life enriching travel adventure.

Included in your Explore Guatemala Workshop:

• A superbly crafted travel experience to the most enchanting, magical land of the Maya…Guatemala.
• Travel and learn with rising star of the International Art Workshop, artist Gayle Weisfield.
• 11 days, 10 nights at unique, luxury hotels with most meals included (per itinerary).
• Deluxe motor coaches and private boats viewing the most scenic and colorful venues…an artists paradise.
• Hotel baggage handling, driver, and meal service tips. All entrance fees, and excursions included in itinerary.

NOT included:

• Airfare from your hometown to Guatemala City.

Our flexible plan allows you to:

• use your Frequent Flyer miles to obtain your own tickets
• or , purchase your tickets through your own sources
• or , go through our discount ticketing resource, eXito, a company that specializes in low-cost airfare to Latin America. Call Issac at 1-800-655-4053 ext. 8507 or 0 if not available. Tell him you are traveling with Explore Guatemala – Gayle Weisfield Group. Issac will arrange for everyone to arrive in Guatemala City by the appointed time.

Obviously, the sooner you make your reservation, the better the price and availability. Do not make airline arrangements until you have received confirmation of your reservation from Explore Guatemala.

Terms:

Prices:

● $1995 Plus airfare (based on double occupancy).

● Single room supplement: $365.

● Reservation Deposit: $500

RESERVE NOW – CLASS SIZE LIMITED

If you have questions please call Gayle at 509 365 3709 or email info@gayleweisfield.com.