Session I: Sunday, June 23 - Saturday, July 20, 2002 Students Finishing Grades 10 - 12Session II: Sunday, July 21 - Saturday, August 17, 2002 Students Finishing Grades 8 - 9Dance Session: Sunday, June 23 - Saturday, July 20, 2002 Students Finishing Grades 8 - 11
MexArt is a month-long Art and Spanish and Dance and Spanish program set in the picturesque mountain town of San Miguel de Allende. San Miguel is a haven for foreigners who come to enjoy the music festivals, the theaters, the art schools, as well as to study Spanish. The spectacular beauty and charm of San Miguel and the year-round perfect climate have been attracting Americans for the past 50 years.
ART & COMMUNITY SERVICEStudents choose one “focus” area and electives from the following:
Painting/Color & Design Printmaking Drawing Silver Jewelry Ceramics Creative Writing Photography Community Service Metal Work
Participants spend three hours per day, five days per week on their “focus” areas. Students also choose one or two electives and spend five to ten hours per week in their elective area(s). All professors of art are experienced professionals of the highest caliber. (See web site for details.) Art classes are taught primarily in English.
DANCE & COMMUNITY SERVICEThe emphasis of the dance program is on jazz, modern, hip hop with some ballet. Fun workshops in Latin dance, salsa, flamenco, belly dancing, and other specialties popular in this area of Mexico are offered frequently to spice up the program. A final performance open to the public showcases the students’ work. Students take 3 hours of dance in the morning. Following lunch, 2-3 times per week, there is the opportunity for more dance or to take an art class. The other afternoons, students can TEACH dance to underprivileged Mexican children as a community service project.
SPANISHConversational Spanish classes are held two hours per day, five days per week. Classes are fun! Students practice their skills in the streets, in the artisans’ market, in the main square, at the corner grocery store, and through playing games. Teachers create a non-competitive atmosphere with teaching geared to the individual. Teachers are bi-lingual and extremely experienced in teaching Spanish to Americans.
DAY TRIPSWeekends are dedicated to travel and exploration. Possibilities include horseback riding in the desert mountains, swimming in local hot springs, hiking in breathtaking hills, touring the pottery town of Dolores Hidalgo, visiting Senor Esteban and his family in a little brick-making village and exploring the cities of Guanajuato and Queretaro.
EVENING ACTIVITIESThe evening activity is an integral part of the MexArt program and varies according to what is happening in San Miguel. Students attend concerts, theatre, dance performances, and art openings. Our small size allows us to be flexible. MexArt students also participate in their own evening activities such as poetry slams, talent shows, coffee houses, and the occasional movie.
LODGING AND FOODMexArt students are housed in a charming, centrally-located, small hotel. Adult staff members reside with the participants.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in various San Miguel restaurants all picturesque, quaint, and colorful. Students always eat together. Since the weather is perfect, meals are served out-of-doors. The food is fabulous! Students have many choices and menus are chosen weekly to guarantee everyone’s satisfaction. Cusine includes Mexican, Italian, Chinese, as well as American. Vegetarians have diverse and interesting options.
TRANSPORTATIONTransportation is not included in the tuition; however, MexArt is happy to make travel arrangements for students. Participants fly into the airport in Leon, Mexico where they are greeted by staff members and escorted via charter bus to San Miguel. The ride is 1 ½ hours.
DIRECTORSCarly Cross is the director and founder of MexArt. She is a graduate of McGill University where she majored in psychology and oboe performance. She was the director of a well-known arts camp in Maine for 6 years.
Caren Cross, BFA, MSW, and David Cross, B.Eng, M.Ed, are associate directors. Caren, a painter is a retired psychotherapist; David consults to his business in the States. The Crosses moved to San Miguel in 1998.
COST $3395Enrollment is limited to 20 students per session.