Oaxaca Writing and Art Retreat
December 13-19, 2025
WAITING LIST ONLY!
Dear writers, artists, friends and collegues…
Join me. Let’s write and make art…
…in community
…in a lush oasis
…in the middle of the vibrant city of Oaxaca.
Meet me at the Casa Colonial for a 6-night retreat December 13-19.
Come create with me in Oaxaca, a legendary music, dance, and food-filled city of vibrantly colored buildings, murals and graffiti, delicious flavors, cobblestone streets, bustling markets, artisans, dancers, parades, and revolutionary art!
We will live and work at Oaxaca’s warm and welcoming Casa Colonial Bed and Breakfast, a private art center and urban oasis with mature lush gardens, soaring trees, birdsong, and inspiration.
I’ve been visiting the Casa since the early 2000s – for vacations and month-long private writing binges.
Since my first visit, I’ve dreamed of bringing a small group of writers and artists here to create, commune, and adventure.
Now’s the time. Join me for this generative and regenerative 6-night writing and art-making retreat.
This retreat is for 6-12 participants.
What does it cost?
- The retreat fee is $1,550 per person (in a shared room) or $1,750 per person (in a single room).
What’s included?
- Six nights at the beautiful Casa Colonial.
- Shared rooms have a king or double + twin. Single occupancy rooms have a double bed.
- Six full breakfasts, plus coffee/tea/Mexican hot chocolate
- Three family-style dinners (cenas) at the Casa
- One festive group dinner at one of Oaxaca’s most delicious restaurants
- Daily guided generative writing and art-making sessions
- Create in community or in solitude in our private studio in the afternoons/evenings
- Some art supplies (also… bring your own!) I will provide some paper, brushes, collage materials, pencils, glues, paints, etc.
- City walks with writing and art exercises
- Relaxing, reading, watching the birds, fish, butterflies in the gardens and art-filled library
- Late afternoon check-ins on the patio (enjoy a margarita or juice)
- A 1-on-1 with Ericka to discuss craft, creative process, etc.
- Offsite printmaking workshop at Subterraneos
- Group reading and open studio (with delicious snacks in the garden!)
- Celebrating Nuestra Señora de la Soledad festival with fireworks, music, and dancing.
- Companionship. Fun!
All activities are optional.
…NOT included in the registration fee:
- Airfare to Oaxaca, transportation to and from the airport, taxis around town
- Daily lunches and two dinners (explore Oaxaca’s legendary food scene)
- Visits to archaeological sites, Zapotec art and craft villages, hiking, museums and music, cooking classes
- Additional alcohol
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Manuscript review session with Ericka (schedule ahead of time)
- Laundry
- Gratuities
- …anything else not specifically stated above
Registration and FAQ
Sample (tentative) Retreat Schedule
Saturday 12/13 – Arrival, Welcome cena (dinner), opening circle
Sunday 12/14 – Breakfast, 9:30-11:30 generative session, lunch on your own, art and writing afternoon/take an expedition/ meet with Ericka, patio check-in (with juice or margaritas), group dinner at Levadura de Olla
Monday 12/15 – Breakfast, 9:30-11:30 generative session, lunch on your own, art and writing afternoon/city walk/meet with Ericka, patio check-in (with juice or margarita), cena
Tuesday 12/16 – Breakfast, 9:30-11:30 generative session, lunch on your own, Subterraneos printmaking workshop, patio check-in (with juice or margarita), dinner on your own
Wednesday 12/17 – Breakfast, 9:30-11:30 generative session, lunch on your own patio check-in (with juice or margarita), dinner on your own, meet to celebrate Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
Thursday 12/18 – Breakfast, 9:30-11:30 generative session, participant reading and open studio w/ snacks in the garden, patio check-in (with juice or margarita), cena
Friday 12/19 – Breakfast, closing circle and checkout
A few more details…
- Minimum 6 and maximum number of 12 participants
- A non-refundable deposit of $350 books your place.
- Balance due by October 1, 2025 (talk to me about payment plans).
- Travel insurance is strongly recommended, all participants must sign a liability waiver.
- We reserve the right to cancel if the minimum don’t sign up (if we do so, you’ll receive a full refund.)
