Mexican Smalti Retreat – January 24-30, 2027 SOLD OUT

January 24-30, 2027

5-Day Immersive Workshop | 6 Nights Accommodation 

The Experience

Join us for an unforgettable artistic retreat in the vibrant coastal city of Puerto Vallarta. This five-day, hands-on workshop welcomes mosaic artists of all levels who want to deepen their practice using Mexican smalti, all while enjoying sun, culture, and great food. AT THIS WRITING WORKSHOPS ARE SOLD OUT, DROP BONNIE AN EMAIL TO BE WAIT LISTED. We are quite a bit out from workshop dates, we may have a cancellation.

What’s Included

Accommodations
• 6 nights at The Joint Boutique Hotel, a stylish modern hotel just two blocks from the beach in the lively Romántica neighborhood
• Private en suite room for each participant (double, queen, or king beds available; assigned first-come, first-served)

Workshop & Studio Time
• 5 days of instruction (Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM)
• 25+ hours of studio time, including optional evening open studios
• Bright, secure private studio with ergonomic workstations and natural light
• One-on-one guidance to help you plan future personal projects, including design, andamento, materials, and fabrication methods

Materials
• All materials for structured exercises included
• Substrates, adhesive, concrete colorants, and Mexican smalti provided

Meals & Social Events • 6 buffet breakfasts (Monday–Saturday) • 4 buffet lunches (Monday–Friday) • Welcome cocktail reception on Sunday evening • Local Food Tour (lunch) • Wednesday Night Art Walk with a local guide

What You’ll Explore

• Color theory and gradation using smalti
• Foundational and advanced andamento techniques
• Innovative design strategies and aesthetic refinement
• Concrete colorants and custom substrate creation

Participants will complete several mosaic studies, working abstractly or figuratively. You’re also encouraged to bring personal projects to work on during open studio time.

Guest Policy (Yes, This Is Real 😊)

You may bring a non-participating companion for $200 total for the entire stay (6 nights, Sunday–Friday). This includes:
• Shared room accommodation
• Breakfasts, lunches, food tour and the Sunday evening reception

Guests do not attend workshop sessions.

A limited number of rooms accommodate couples; availability is first-come, first-served with no guarantee of bed type. If two students wish to share a room and both attend the workshop, please contact Bonnie directly for pricing and availability.

Billing for guests and additional nights will be a separate invoice.

Important Notes

• Airfare is not included
• Travel insurance is strongly recommended
• Early arrivals or extended stays may be arranged—contact Bonnie directly
• Rooms are assigned first-come, first-served
• All rooms are en suite

PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE YOUR AIR TICKET UNTIL WE CONNECT CONFIRMING WE HAVE REACHED OUR MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS AND ARE 100% GREEN LIGHTED.

This retreat is hosted in collaboration with Maverick Mosaics, supporting artist-centered retreats at The Joint. Instructors interested in learning more are welcome to reach out to Bonnie.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted in writing to
bonnie@maverickmosaics.com

• Before August 1, 2026: 100% refund minus $100 administrative fee
• August 2 – October 1, 2026: 100% refund minus $250 administrative fee
• October 2 – December 1, 2026: 100% refund minus $500
• December 2 onward: No refunds
(If your spot is resold by you or us, you’ll receive a full refund minus $100.)

Adding days to your trip: As a courtesy, additional nights at the hotel are booked through Maverick Mosaics for workshop students. There is a $10 per night cancellation or change fee once avability is confirmed. Know your desired dates before asking to check availability. Room rates will be quoted upon request.

Should Maverick Mosaics cancel the retreat for minimum of 8 students not met you will be refunded 100%.   

Schedule at a Glance

• Sunday, January 24: Optional welcome cocktail & meet-and-greet around 5:00 PM
• Hotel check-in: 4:00 PM (luggage storage available; early room access if available)
• Monday–Friday:
– Breakfast
– Workshop instruction: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
– Lunch at 2:00 PM
– Free time & open studio afternoons/evenings
• Saturday, January 30: Check-out by 11:00 AM

INCLUDED IN WORKSHOP FEE HOTEL CHECK IN SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, CHECK OUT SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2027. INCLUDED IN WORKSHOP FEE HOTEL CHECK IN SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, CHECK OUT SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2027. This is week of two of two of this retreat offering.

All prices are in USD.
Featured workshop image: smalti from smalti.com. Gallery images student studies from 2026 workshops, finished smalti works by Bonnie