Marcella Kriebel has always been an artist and foodie, with barefoot gardening and bright paints reflected in her earliest memories. 

A love of art and culture-through-cuisine led her to receive degrees in Studio Art and Cultural Anthropology, a combination that springboarded her into traveling, journaling and cooking in numerous Latin American countries.

She is known for her vibrant watercolours that celebrate our world through food, culture and nature, partnering with numerous institutions including the Smithsonian and the nonprofit, World Central Kitchen.  

Kriebel has spent over a decade as a self-employed artist, creating a growing series of watercolour art prints, home goods, and public artworks that range from 20-foot-tall Food themes. 

She loves travel journaling, and has taught art workshops for over a decade, and is the author of the illustrated cookbooks, Mi Comida Latina and Comida Cubana. Both cookbooks feature over a hundred of Marcella’s favourite Latin American dishes captured in vibrant watercolour ready to be explored. 

Arrive to Oaxaca Airport (OAX)  / Xoxocotlán Airport

NOTE we will collect you from the airport whatever time you arrive - day or night. 

There is no programme on Arrivals Day - our guests come from all over the world.

Sunday Market at Tlacolula de Matamoros

Market day is the weekly highlight, with vendors bringing their produce and goods into this lively town. We’ll wander, taste, shop, and take it all in. Grab some lunch along the way, then head back to our hotel for an introductory session with Marcella.

Includes B,D

Walking tour – markets & food culture

We start at 10.00 am and the tour runs for around 3.5 hours.

We’ll walk at an easy pace with commentary on local food culture and the history of the area, visiting four different markets along the way – each within comfortable walking distance and each with its own focus.

Following Markcella's lead we will find somewhere for an afternoon sketch session.

Includes B,L

Today we travel to a nearby valley, Teotitlán del Valle.

The valley is well known for its natural dyes and woven carpets. We’ll visit a small local museum, check out a few great little eateries, and then roll up our sleeves for a cooking class – with lunch as the reward. I’ve also heard there’s a woman nearby who makes her own ice cream. Naturally, that will need investigating.

Working with Marcella, we’ll be documenting the cooking and food as it unfolds. Quite possibly a tag-team effort.

Includes B,L

Today we’re heading to the markets with another local cook. Everyone has their favourite stalls and trusted ingredients, and there’s always more to learn.

We’re hoping for a deep dive into mole. Oaxaca is the home of this rich, varied sauce, and there are as many recipes as there are cooks.

After shopping, we’ll travel to a ranch just outside Oaxaca and cook up a feast together. Plenty of cooking, eating, and sketching woven through the day.

Includes B,L

Pottery & food culture day

Oaxaca is famous for its pottery. In one direction there’s red clay cookware, in another the deep black ceramics the region is known for. We’ll head out to one of these pottery villages – likely San Marcos Tlapazola for red clay cookware, or San Bartolo Coyotepec for black pottery – to learn a bit about how it’s made. It depends on who is home to welcome us.

We’re especially interested in studios producing cookware. It fits perfectly with our focus on food – after all, you’ve got to have a plate.

Along the way, we’ll stop in at bakeries and small women-run enterprises, learning more about food culture and food production around Oaxaca.

Includes B,L

Today we’re visiting a local woman who raises and produces cochineal. It’s not a foodstuff, but it is a safe food colouring – and it’s completely fascinating to see how it’s produced and just how many colours can come from this tiny insect.

Cochineal can be used as a dye, as a food colouring, or even painted straight into your journal. So why not record the story of cochineal and use a little of it to colour your sketchbook along the way?

Afternoon to work on your sketchbooks.

Includes B

We’re heading towards San Antonio Arrazola.

First up, alebrijes – the brilliantly painted spirit animals this village is known for. We’ll see how they’re made and finished, and spend time looking closely at the colour and pattern work.

Later, we’ll shift gears and learn about mezcal production. The best mezcal is centred around Oaxaca, and it’s exciting to see a growing number of women entrepreneurs running small, boutique production units. 

Art and something good in a glass to round out the day.

Includes B, L

You’ll have noticed the bright floral aprons worn by so many women here – definitely something to pay attention to. An apron is an important part of the wardrobe, and women often have many, many versions to suit different outfits and occasions.

We’ll visit an apron maker, along with other women entrepreneurs running bakeries and tortilla businesses. So many different entry points into food culture, all worth a closer look around Oaxaca.

After such a fabulous time, let's share a final meal somewhere special tonight to celebrate Oaxaca and working with Marcella.

Includes B,L,D

Departures from Oaxaca Airport (OAX) /Xoxocotlán Airport

We'll drop you to your flight any time night or day.

B

Materials list for guests to pack: 

a small clamshell watercolour set, 

pencils, 

sketchbook with thick paper. 

Watercolour paper

Getting Around – Physical Considerations

This retreat is designed for travellers who are comfortable getting around on foot and have a good general level of health and mobility.

Because we’re centred in Oaxaca, the pace is a little easier than a moving tour, but you’ll still need to be able to walk unaided at an average pace. On some days this may be for a few hours at a time, including uneven surfaces, gentle hills, steps, and stairs.

You’ll also need to be comfortable getting in and out of local transport and dealing with the occasional over-the-bath shower.

If you enjoy being out and about, exploring markets and streets on foot, and don’t mind a bit of daily movement, you’ll be well suited to this retreat.

This won’t be the right fit for anyone who needs a very slow pace or frequent rest stops, but for most active travellers it’s a comfortable and rewarding way to experience Oaxaca.