photo: Michael Amici

by Linda Lamb

If you've spent more than five minutes in San Miguel, you already know that this town has an art scene as colorful and layered as a Diego Rivera mural. But beyond the galleries and exhibitions (glorious as they are), lies an even more hands-on world -- the wonderfully messy, inspiring, and delightfully diverse universe of workshops.

As an abstract painter myself, I know there's something uniquely satisfying about stepping outside your usual medium and getting your hands dirty... sometimes literally. I've spent years exploring color, texture, and creative intuition, and thankfully without ever worrying about staying inside the lines.

Here in San Miguel, we creative types are spoiled for choice when it comes to art exploration.

Michael Amici

Whether you're a pro with a DSLR or snapping away with your iPhone, Michael's workshops teach you to see – the play of light, the dance of shadow, and the quiet poetry of San Miguel's streets and beyond.

His journey began back in 2001 as a photojournalist for the Hearst Corporation in Texas, and since relocating to Mexico in 2003, he's led workshops in Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende and even as far as India – proving that his camera (and curiosity) knows no borders.

I first met Michael 3 years ago and what struck me wasn't just his talent, but his "old soul" presence and way with people. No surprise then, that he believes that photography is more than just pretty pictures. As Michael puts it, "Every photo is like a mini self-portrait, exposing our views of the world around us."

A gifted teacher, Michael invites you to slow down, compose with intention, and walk away with images that are more than mere snapshots. Personally, I'm already dusting off my Nikon and eyeing the signup list.

www.santafeworkshops.com/instructors/michael-amici-2/

For the tactile souls who find joy in spinning mud into magic, roll up your sleeves at one of these three great local options:

If you've ever dreamed of shaping a humble lump of clay into something beautiful (or at least doesn't resemble a collapsed souffle) 369 Clay Studio is your place.

This creative gem welcomes students of all levels – from total beginners who've never touched a wheel, to seasoned potters who love the collaborative environment provided.

Owner Alberto Sánchez is the magic ingredient of this studio. He is not only an incredibly skilled ceramicist, but also a warm and encouraging teacher who offers personal instruction in a beautiful and comfortable setting that encourages artistic growth and expression.

My good friend Katherine Weston (a self-confessed 369 addict) swears by their classes. What started as "just trying something new" has turned into a full-blown love for pottery. I am the proud owner of her unique marbleized plates – thank you Katherine.

www.369claystudio.com - Fotos

Alberto Sánchez explaining glaze options
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plate: Katherine Weston

Paloma Clay Studio is a nurturing creative setting so lovely you might never want to leave. With natural light, gentle instruction, and a Zen-like atmosphere, it's the perfect place to shape something beautiful - whether it's a bowl or a bold new mindset. Think of it as an artistic sanctuary, where the coffee is strong, the energy is supportive, and no one minds if you occasionally shout, "This was supposed to be a cup, but now it's…a modern sculpture!"

Here, every pinch, coil, and spin on the wheel feels like a little meditation, and every creation is a reminder that beauty sometimes comes from getting your hands a little dirty.

www.sanmigueldeallendeceramicworkshops.com

pot: instructor Richard Burkett

For a more experimental and sculptural approach, Barro.Co is where creativity meets clay on its own terms. Abstract, bold, and full of personality-just like the city it's in.

Bring your idea, big or small – this fun place has all the tools and tricks to help bring them to life. So, go ahead, channel your inner artist and prepare to fall a little bit in love with clay.

www.barro-co.com

Ready to forge something bold? This two-day workshop is a favorite among artists and curious creatives alike. With glowing Trip Advisor five-star reviews that ooze with accolades, it's no wonder this workshop has been rated the #1 Class/ Workshop in all of Guanajuato State for eight years running.

The dynamic father / son duo Alex Van Doren and 'Papa Lane' are masters in all applications of metal craft and love nothing more than sharing their passion. They guide students through the hands-on process of bending, welding, and shaping raw steel into art - and yes, sparks fly (in the best way).

My husband David is a huge fan of Alex's workshops - he came home with an impressive handmade steel art piece … and a huge smile. (I'd expected something modest, maybe a small tabletop piece, but he proudly returned with a five-foot-tall Aztec 'warrior goddess' that now rules over our roof terrace). Pro tip: make sure you have space for your creation – size is no object in these workshops.

The beauty of this experience is that it appeals to everyone. Working with metal is both empowering and surprisingly fun, even for those with no prior experience. Students create everything from hummingbird mobiles to bold abstracted sculptures and striking wall art.

So if you're ready to unleash your inner metal artist, the Van Doren workshop might just be your new obsession.

www.vandorenmetalart.com

Lane and Alex Van Doren
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sculpture: (by my husband) David Frost

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If you've ever wanted to paint with fire (and let's be honest, who hasn't?), encaustic workshops are your ticket - melted beeswax, pigment, heat – it's pure alchemy. There's nothing quite like the tactile, layered quality of encaustic painting. Several local artists offer small-group intensives where you can explore either cold or hot wax mediums here in San Miguel.

My personal favorite is Ezshwan Winding, who guides students through the ancient, yet endlessly modern art of encaustic painting. Her classes are a joyful journey of technique, experimentation and hands-on fun. It's painting with fire, yes - but it's also meditation, finesse and magic all in one.

Ezshwan with author
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Ezshwan herself is a force of nature: passionate, soulful and brimming with a creative energy that fills her studio like music. That's no accident – she spent years alongside her late husband, legendary jazz trombonist Kai Winding, whose spirit of improvisation and rhythm still lingers in the air to inspire. Just like jazz, encaustic art invites you to loosen up, play with the unexpected, and embrace happy accidents. Best to come with no expectations because this art form is a lesson in pure surprise.

Ezshwan offers encaustic and cold wax workshops, and welcomes vacation workshops through Vacation With an Artist. By the end of your class with her, you won't just walk away with a one-of-a-kind creation, I guarantee you'll leave with a little more fire in your creative soul.

www.ezshwan.com

encaustic: Ezshwan Winding

Best of all, these workshops are for everyone: seasoned artists looking to loosen up, curious visitors who've never touched a brush, and locals itching to tap into their creative side. And in true San Miguel fashion, you'll often find yourself in a sun-drenched studio, sipping a café con leche, with the hum of creativity all around you.

So if your soul's been whispering to "make something," this is your invitation. Take a workshop. Try a new medium. Get messy. Who knows? You might just uncover a talent you didn't know you had - or, at the very least, walk away with a handmade masterpiece and a few new friends.

In this magical town, inspiration is the easy part. The hard part? Deciding which workshop to take first. Take a class. Try something new. Let your creativity roam. You might surprise yourself – and what better place to ignite your artistic flame than in San Miguel?

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Linda Lamb, a creative soul since childhood, is formally trained in the arts and holds a BS degree in Interior Design. Principal of her own firm - Lamb Design Group - in California for over 40 years, she built a stellar career with projects as diverse as work for a Four Seasons in Hawaii, villas in Tuscany, residences along Pebble Beach's 17 Mile Drive, and even the interiors of a G4 Gulfstream jet. Behind the scenes, Linda has also been painting for over 20 years. Her high-spirited abstract art is an extension of her passion for life.

"One thing I've learned is that good design, like art collecting (or writing articles) is more about editing and careful curation rather than merely filling up space – a metaphor for living well."

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