Printmaking in guanajuato, mexico
Summer 2025
PRINTMAKING Workshop | July 9-July 16, 2025
After a rewarding day in the studio, unwind with Hugo’s famous margaritas on the terrace of Alma del Sol’s B&B, nestled amidst the stunning mountain views. Surrounded by Spanish Colonial architecture, the music from the cobblestone streets below sets a perfect backdrop for relaxation. The open-air yet enclosed printmaking studio, located on the top-floor terrace of the Bed & Breakfast, offers a serene space where participants can come and go at their leisure. Whether drawing with an inspiring panoramic view or using one of the several printmaking presses, the setting invites creativity and reflection.
Lodging is conveniently located in the heart of Guanajuato, within walking distance to a diverse selection of traditional Mexican eateries, international restaurants, local shops, and vibrant tourist attractions. By the end of your stay, you'll leave Guanajuato with a collection of prints, unforgettable memories, and lasting friendships formed with fellow artists from around the world.
This is not for PSU students. If you are a student wishing to earn university credit please visit PSU Education Abroad or email aschroer@pdx.edu.
Sign up with a friend and receive $200 each!!
(Both must be workshop participants. Discount can only be applied to 2 people)
Bring a friend or partner who doesn’t want to participate in the workshop but wants to enjoy Guanajuato, too. See Non-printmaking participant under “Cost”.
Dates | July 9-July 16, 2025
Immerse yourself in a seven-day printmaking and cultural adventure in the vibrant heart of Guanajuato, Mexico. This engaging and dynamic workshop combines hands-on artmaking with the beauty and rich history of this UNESCO World Heritage city. Co-taught by Portland artist and professor Mandee Schroer, along with Guanajuato-based printmaker Hugo Anaya, participants will explore the exciting world of printmaking while also soaking in the local culture.
Printmaking is a labor-intensive art form that involves transferring an image from a matrix to a surface, traditionally paper. The matrix, often referred to as the plate, can be crafted from a variety of materials, and through careful manipulation, inking, and pressing, the image is brought to life in print form—often in multiples.
Throughout the workshop, artists will learn a variety of printmaking techniques, including monotype, relief, and intaglio. By the end of the five-day intensive, participants will have a portfolio of high-quality, handmade prints. All necessary printmaking supplies, including plates, inks, and an ample supply of Rives BFK and washi papers, will be provided. Additional Rives BFK paper will be available for purchase from the instructor if needed.
While no prior experience in art or printmaking is required, participants are encouraged to bring their personal materials such as sketchbooks, drawing tools, and paints for personal journaling and sketchbooks. The instructors will also provide a range of materials for experimentation and exploration. This workshop is open to all levels, from beginners to advanced artists, offering both inspiration and technical guidance to help you create beautiful, one-of-a-kind prints.
Workshop is co-taught by Mandee Schroer & Hugo Anaya
Cost
Printmaking participant // $1,365
Cost includes: 7 nights of lodging, 5 days of studio time with demos and personalized instruction, printmaking paper, inks, blocks, and tools, daily breakfast, lunch on studio days, and a farewell lunch or dinner.
Not included: Airfare, taxis, dinners and lunches on non-studio days, housekeeping gratuities. travel-related fees, including travel documents, travel insurance, and health insurance.
Non-printmaking participant // $525
This option is ideal for those who would like to travel with a partner or friend but do not wish to participate in the workshop. The price is for double occupancy (shared room with your companion), and you must be accompanying someone enrolled in the workshop.
Cost includes: 7 nights of lodging, daily breakfast, lunch on studio days, and a farewell lunch or dinner.
Not included: Airfare, taxis, dinners and lunches on non-studio days, housekeeping gratuities, travel-related fees such as documents, insurance, and health coverage.
MANDEE SCHROER & HUGO ANAYA
Mandee holds both a BFA and an MFA in Fine Arts and is a skilled printmaker and painter based in Portland, Oregon. She currently teaches painting and drawing at Portland State University and Clackamas Community College. Since 2012, Mandee has also led students and private groups on artistic journeys to Italy and Mexico, combining her passion for teaching with her love of travel and cultural immersion.
Hugo, a native of Guanajuato, is a talented printmaker, chef, and the owner/host of Alma del Sol and Hotel Color Bed & Breakfasts in Guanajuato. He studied Fine Arts at Portland State University and spent 18 years living in Portland, Oregon, before returning to his hometown.
The workshop is co-taught by Mandee and Hugo, both of whom will be present every day in the studio to provide personalized guidance and support for your creative projects.
Guanajuato city’s closest airport is Leon, just 30 minutes west of town, and is approximately 3.5 hrs from Guadalajara and 5 hours from Mexico City.
Printmaking ITINERARY
Day 1 / Arrive in Guanajuato, meet and greet, snacks and drinks on Alma del Sol Terrace.
Day 2 / Printmaking in the studio, 10am-5pm
Day 3 / Printmaking in the studio, 10am-5pm
Day 4 / Printmaking in the studio, 10am-5pm
Day 5 / Printmaking in the studio, 10am-5pm
Day 6 / Free day to explore. Option to visit San Miguel de Allende, Dolores Hidalgo, Santa Rosa (for ceramics), etc on your own. We can help you figure out bus or taxis to these locations.
Day 7 / Printmaking in the studio, 10am-5pm. Farewell lunch/dinner
Day 8 / Trip ends
Food ACCOMMODATIONS
Enjoy a traditional Mexican breakfast each morning at Alma del Sol, followed by a delicious, freshly prepared lunch on studio days—all included in your workshop fee. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know! Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or have specific dietary needs, we’re happy to accommodate you.
ALMA del sol & hotel color
Stay in the heart of downtown Guanajuato at either the charming Alma del Sol Bed & Breakfast or the vibrant Hotel Color, both offering an authentic and comfortable experience. Each property features spacious rooms with windows or balconies, as well as a rooftop terrace with stunning panoramic views. Alma del Sol is just around the corner from the University of Guanajuato, several art galleries, and the colonial masterpiece Templo de la Compañía, which is celebrating its 250th anniversary. From the terrace, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the temple while sipping on a refreshing hibiscus cooler or a classic margarita.
Hotel Color is ideally located near local shops, restaurants, and bars, just a block from the iconic Teatro Juárez, a historic neoclassical landmark. Both accommodations provide the perfect base for exploring the city's rich cultural and architectural heritage.
NOTE about the terrain
Guanajuato is a charming, hilly town with cobblestone streets that add to its historic beauty. While most of the downtown sidewalks are smooth and easy to navigate, the combination of the town’s elevation and hills can make walking a bit challenging at times for some visitors. Please note that the hotel does not have an elevator, so guests will need to climb a few flights of stairs. However, if you're comfortable with walking and enjoy a bit of exercise, the effort is well worth it—the views from the top are truly spectacular!
click arrow to watch short video
Museums & galleries
Alhondiga de Granaditas, Diego Rivera Museum, San Gabriel de Barrerra, Pueblo de Guanajuato Museum, Regional Museum of Guanajuato, La Valenciana Church , Gene Byron Museum , Mummy Museum, Olga Costa Museum , Teatro Juarez, Contemporary Art Museum & others
GUANAJUATO
Nestled in central Mexico, Guanajuato is a stunning city shaped by its hilly terrain and bisected by a winding river. Known as one of Mexico’s famed silver cities, it flourished with the wealth from colonial-era mineral mines. The city’s streets wind and climb, following the natural contours of the land, creating a labyrinth of narrow alleyways, charming plazas, and steep staircases. Guanajuato is also the birthplace of iconic artists Diego Rivera and muralist José Chávez Morado. At an elevation of 6,600 feet, the city enjoys a moderate, arid climate, with temperatures averaging a comfortable 70–80°F in June and July—making it an ideal destination year-round.
TechniqueS
Monoprint/Monotype
*Various in depth monotype techniques will explored throughout the workshop.
Monotypes are a unique print made by pressing paper against a painted or inked surface. A Monotype implies that the original impression cannot be reused, “pulled” or printed twice. Both Monotype and Monoprint refer to the production of singular works. In contrast, the monotype allows only one pull of the original followed by a ghost print in some circumstances. The monotype, like painting, is very direct and allows great flexibility as the range of marks that can be obtained. Marks can made using brushes, rags, hands, and found objects. There are many ways to create the image on the printing surface, and the work can be produced quickly and spontaneously or slowly and in great detail, depending on how quickly the ink dries. Impressions can be reworked, corrected, and removed as is possible in painting.
RELIEF
A printmaking technique whereby the image is printed from the raised surface with the cutting away of the non-image areas. Traditionally, relief prints are created using a block of wood or linoleum. Using knives, gouges, or engraving tools. the image is developed with a variety of delicate and broad marks. Th areas that have been cut away and exist below the surface of the block will not print, as the ink remains on the raised surface. The unprinted areas )sometimes referred to as the negative space) are integral to the image and will stay the color of the paper used. The final image is printed in reverse, so the design will be a mirror image to the one created on the block.
Intaglio Etching & Drypoint
A technique in which the image is incised into a metal surface, filled with ink and transferred to paper. The term “Intaglio”, meaning “to engrave” or “cut into,” refers to the process by which an image is created by gouging, biting, or incising lines into the surface of a metal plate. The print is produced by filling the recessed marked and lines in order to transfer the image to damp paper. In the final piece, the image will print in reverse from the design on the plate and the ink will stand proud of the surface of the paper. Etching is an abrasive substance that bites or cleans away areas of a plate or block. In etching, usually ferric chloride or copper sulphate used to bite a line into a metal plate. Drypoint uses a hard needle to create a scratch across the plate surface. This action creates a burr and flanges of metal or plastic fold back from the edge of the scratch. It is these flecks of metal that retain the body of ink. The characteristic of a drypoint is softer, more furry line in comparison to the controlled clarity of an engraved or etched line. The drypoint is very fragile and generally does not sustain more than 20 good impressions.
Chine Collé
Traditionally, the printing of an image on a very light, delicate paper that is then adhered to a stronger, supporting paper. The application of color using colored paper rather than the use of ink on multiple plates.
Participants’ work
Testimonials
“This originally wasn’t on my bucket list, but it should have been.”
“Hugo’s hospitality is by far the best. He made sure we were all happy with everything every day!
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“My husband and I attended Mandee and Hugo’s outstanding Printmaking workshop last summer in July. It was an experience that I’ll never forget and hope to do it again someday.”
“I’ve been lucky enough to participate in Mandee’s printmaking class twice, once as a student of PSU and once as a graduated attendee. I love this program so much, that I am planning a third trip. The experience not only grew my personal practice, but opened me up to a new sense of community. Though you are learning in a group, you are given personal direction and instruction as well as the opportunity to explore outside of the traditional techniques, which is something I really love about how the instructor Mandee teaches.”
“It’s rare to have dedicated time to try new techniques, experiment with materials, and have first class instruction while surrounded by inspirational colors, sights, and sounds. Each day was different and pushed me to explore my creative side in new ways. After working all morning and getting expert guidance from Mandee and Hugo, we broke for lunch, which was always mouthwatering. Think slow cooked pork, street corn, fresh-squeezed hibiscus juice and tasty fish. And the friendliest, most helpful staff I’ve ever met.”
