From September 25 to October 2, 2024, the GAS Travel Program journeyed to Oaxaca, Mexico, for another successful international glass art tour. Oaxaca is a captivating region in southern Mexico known for its culture, diverse cuisine, historical sites, and stunning landscapes. Our group of ten ‘Glass Travelers’ participated in a week that was rich with studio visits, local Oaxacan traditions, and Michelin Star dining experiences. This tour was truly a feast for all the senses.
We gathered for our first evening together at the Galería Taller La Màquina printmaking workshop for a private tour, exhibition viewing, and a welcome reception, followed by dinner at Las Quince Letras. Our group became instant friends and began its shared love for not just glass, but also for black mole, mezcal, chocolate, textiles, printmaking, ceramics, and so much more.
Over the next seven days, the group enjoyed a wide range of activities that included glass demonstrations, studio visits, hands-on workshops, and guided tours.
We toured and climbed the ancient Zapotec ruins of Monte Albán with its panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. We celebrated the opening of the second Bienal Internacionale de Arte en Vidrio de Iberoamerico (BIAVI), which included over 40 glass art pieces by artists from Latin America, Spain, and invited countries. Our group danced through the streets of Oaxaca in a festive calende, and explored some of Oaxaca’s most celebrated artisan and food markets. We made chocolate with a traditional chef from Teotitlan del Valle, visited a women’s weaving collective, and learned about natural dyes. We toured a local palenque to learn about mezcal production and visited the renowned Jacobo and María Ángeles workshop to learn about the ancestral practice of wood-carved and hand-decorated Alebrijes.
“If one is interested in glass art, then I would absolutely recommend the GAS Travel Program.” – Joan Mazer, Oaxaca 2024 attendee
And of course, we celebrated glass with spectacular visits to local glass studios Gorilla Glass, Studio Xaquixe, and Dos Estudio. Jason Pfohl and his amazing team at Gorilla Glass produce body jewelry in both borosilicate and soft glass. Our visit to this studio also included a monotype demonstration with local printmakers, and a hot glass demo and talk with Washington-based glass artist Katrina Hude who was working with upcycled Bullseye glass from cutoffs from the production studio.
At Studio Xaquixe, we enjoyed a very special glass demonstration with Einar and Jamex de la Torre and Christian Thornton. Einar and Jamex are legends in the glass community and they used their skills to speak about their unique cultural experiences, immigration, and life on both sides of the Mexico-US border. Studio Xaquixe co-founder Salime Harp Cruces talked to us about the studio’s sustainable approaches including using agave plants from the studio’s own agave field. Its ovens work partially thanks to the recycling of used kitchen oil that is recovered from hotels and restaurants within the city.
Our third glass visit was to the studio of Diego Vides Borrell who is currently collaborating on a project with Mexico City-based glass artist Luisa Restrepo. Do Estudio focuses on unique blown glass high-design products. Diego and Luisa’s demo combined Luisa’s innovative jewelry designs with Diego’s contemporary approach to glass. All three studios went above and beyond to welcome our group with amazing hospitality and stunning up-close encounters and conversation. Our time with Jason, Katrina, Christian, Salime, Einar, Jamex, Diego, and Luisa were unanimous highlights for all on our GAS tour.
“Traveling with GAS gives you access to interesting people and places that you wouldn’t have as an individual. Traveling with people with common interests adds a lot to the experience.” – Tami Black, Oaxaca 2024 attendee
Our trip to Oaxaca would not have been possible without the support and participation of the following individuals, artists, studios, and institutions who made our glass tour a phenomenal success. Thank you everyone!
Once Journey
Bianca Bodero
Ainsley Warner
Majo Ruela
Gorilla Glass
Jason Pfohl
Katrina Hude
Studio Xaquixe
Christian Thornton
Salime Harp Cruces
Einar de la Torre
Jamex de la Torre
Diego Vides Borrell
Do Studio
Luisa Restrepo
Chef Trini
Real Minero
Galería Taller La Màquina
Vida Nueva, Women’s Weaving Cooperative
Jacobo and María Ángeles Workshop
Join our group of glass travelers in 2025!
We’re traveling to Australia in March 2025 and Venice in September 2025. Learn more about our 2025 GAS Travel Program here!