MexArt excels in teaching the visual arts, dance, and Spanish. During one-month sessions, participants choose one area in which to focus and choose other areas with which to experiment. Student talent varies in ability from having an interest to having years of practice. All levels are welcome. Spanish is also an integral part of the program and is geared to each individual’s speaking ability. Professional artists, dancers and Spanish faculty are enthusiastic, talented teachers.

Art and Dance Classes:
Students take one 3-hour class in art or dance in the morning, followed by an elective in the afternoon. Art: painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, jewelry making. Dance: jazz, hip hop, modern, ballet, salsa, flamenco, folkloric.

Spanish Classes:
Spanish classes are offered daily for two hours concentrating on student communication, conversation, and fluency. San Miguel is a charming colonial town rich in history. Roaming the serpentine cobblestone streets, one finds 16th and 17th century buildings, flower-filled patios, burros delivering wood, women selling handmade dolls, men hawking straw baskets. Cultural festivals take place throughout the year, and San Miguel is Mexico’s most celebrated artists’ community having lured artistically passionate Mexicans and internationals for decades. This backdrop offers MexArt students an unsurpassed cultural experience and inspires each student to speak Spanish and integrate into this rich community.

Housting, Supervision & Meals:
MexArt students are housed in a colorful, centrally-located, small hotel called Casa Crayola where 2-4 students share a room. The property is regularly scheduled on the local house and garden tour. Adult staff members reside with participants and are responsible for the wellbeing of students, making sure they are healthy, happily participating in activities and are integrating into the MexArt program. Supervision and guidance are cornerstones of the experience abroad. Casa Crayola’s private cook and staff prepare and serve two meals daily. One meal a day, alternating lunch or dinner, is taken at various San Miguel restaurants. Fresh fruit and salads are ever present along with delicious homemade main courses.

Weekend Excursions and Evening Activities:
While in this beautiful, foreign culture, opportunities abound for side trips. Swim in hot springs, ride horses in the mountains, travel to the university town Guanajuato and nearby city of Queretaro, or hike in the mountains or botanical gardens. The evening activity is also an integral part of the MexArt program and varies according to what is happening in San Miguel. Students attend concerts, theater, dance performances and art openings. The group’s small size allows the program to be flexible. MexArt students also participate in their own evening activity such as talent shows, coffee houses, the occasional movie or free night.