Arts & Crafts in Mexico with Projects Abroad

  Mexico

• Other Cities in Mexico: 
Tlaquepaque
• Guadalajara: 
Guadalajara

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: All Year Round (you set the start and end date)

Description: In Guadalajara, Projects Abroad has established a unique Culture & Community project, ideal for creative volunteers with an artistic flair. Based in Tlaquepaque, a district of Guadalajara located around 30 minutes by bus from the city center, volunteer placements can be arranged in a local ceramic workshop.

Tlaquepaque, along with Tonala, another district of Guadalajara are famed for their production of traditional Mexican crafts, and both areas are home to a large number of workshops. Local artisans predominantly produce ceramic and pottery works, which are sold in local markets and to customers around the world.

Projects Abroad work with Ceramic 1, a family owned workshop founded around 25 years ago. In the early days the workshop only produced decorative tiles, but today a team of around four artisans work to make wall plaques, jugs and wash basins as well as tiles decorated in both traditional and modern styles. The majority of their products are made to order and clients include Mexican hotels as well as German and Canadian customers.

Volunteering on the Arts & Crafts Project with Projects Abroad

This project enables creative volunteers to become craftspeople and get involved in the production of basic ceramic works, from start to finish. Previous volunteers have come from all walks of life and have included gap year students, career breakers and mature travelers. Your working day will start at around 9am and usually finishes at around 1pm, a convenient time to head home to your host family for lunch.

Your placement will be broken down into phases and you will spend time working on each stage of the production of ceramics. Firstly you will learn and assist in making moulds, before mixing clay and casting various ceramic items. Following this you will be able to hand paint your own designs onto your creations, taking inspiration from your experiences in Mexico and the work of the artisans around you. Finally you will learn how to glaze your product, before it is fired in the kiln; the final stage in the production of ceramics. After all of this, you will have a variety of items that you can take home to family and friends.

Ceramic 1 is a friendly workshop, with a relaxed atmosphere, that allows volunteers to get involved in the production of their own ceramic wares. You will learn about the production process, and the local artisans will be wiling to chat about their work, depending on your knowledge of Spanish!

Guadalajara is a fantastic city for anybody interested in art and traditional craft making. Many workshops throughout Tlaquepaque and Tonala are open to the public for browsing or buying and there are regular street markets selling large quantities of locally made handicrafts. In addition Guadalajara is home to many Art Galleries and the World Heritage site of Hospicio Cabañas houses a large modern art collection as well as stunning murals in the chapel by the highly acclaimed Mexican artist, Jose Clemente Orozco.

Highlights: For your accommodation, you'll live with a Spanish speaking host-family, which is a great environment for developing and improving your language skills. All the families involved are extremely supportive of the projects carried out by Projects Abroad and are eager to experience an inter-cultural exchange and learn about the lives of volunteers.

Guadalajara and Ciudad Guzman, where we are based, is part of the West Central Highlands and has one of the most pleasant climates the country offers. The winters are moderately warm and the summers hot although not unbearably. With this wonderful climate, you will be able to explore all the beauty Mexico has to offer anytime of the year!

In addition, this project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications: None.

Cost in US$: From USD 2,395 and up

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range: 16-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Mexico Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992