A Hands-On Immersion in Oaxaca's Culture & Embroidery Traditions

​​Join us for Impressions of Oaxaca, a 10-day guided artistic journey to explore Oaxaca’s diverse craft traditions, natural beauty, and rich culture. On this embroidery workshop tour, you will take a deep dive into Oaxacan embroidery by engaging in hands-on learning alongside traditional and contemporary artists. On this trip, you won’t be a spectator, but an active maker. 

A collaborative project between Kim Hunter of Traveling Traders Bazaar, artist and Professor Emerita Carolyn Kallenborn, and Oaxacan embroidery artist Miriam Campos, we dreamed up this trip to provide an alternative to conventional artisan tours by fostering interpersonal connections, developing intercultural understanding, and inspiring creative practice.

Inspired to slow down


This artistic immersion was developed as slow tourism.  Inspired by the rural Oaxacan lifestyle  in which it is common to use long, slow processes to visit, cook, walk and make. We hope to infuse a shift from a lifestyle of rushing and accomplishing to a slower pace giving you time to enjoy the beauty around you, to learn and to make, and to find moments of joy and inspiration.

Connect with Master Artisans

Our workshop sessions are taught by master artists and artisans who will share innovative and traditional embroidery techniques. We also will discuss the ethical practices of working with traditional artisans and imagery. Dedicated studio time is built into the program, giving you time to develop ideas and create your own project.

Our Approach

  • Explore

    and gain an understanding and appreciation for the colorful history, culture, and techniques of Oaxaca.

  • Connect

    with master artisans and other makers to learn and exchange together.

  • Create

    new works including creating your own idea of a sketchbook to record new techniques and directions for your art practice.
JOIN US THIS FEBRUARY!

Our Team

  • Miriam Campos , Artist & Tour/ Workshop Co-Leader

    Miriam Campos is a 3rd generation embroidery artist from San Antonino Castil­lo Velasco in Oaxaca. She and her family are known for their signature designs and colorful floral embroidery used in their traditional clothing. Miriam's mother Reyna Cornelio, grandmother Virginia Sanchez, and all her aunts are established designers and embroiderers. Miriam has exhibited in museums nationally and internationally including the Rufino Tamayo Museum in Oaxaca, Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, New York Botanical Garden, and the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

  • Carolyn Kallenborn, Artist & Tour/ Workshop Co-Leader

    Carolyn Kallenborn, Professor Emerita from the University of Wisconsin, is an internationally acclaimed artist working with textiles, film, installation, and community projects. She has 25 years of university teaching experience, leading students in collaboration and developing a personal creative practice. She has traveled extensively to research traditional and contemporary textiles and artisan projects. Kallenborn has been teaching, learning, and collaborating with artisans in Oaxaca since 2004. She has been a cultural, artistic, and technical guide for students, interns, academics, artists, and artisans. Through exhibitions and her documentary films Woven Lives and La Vida y Los Muertos, she helped introduce Oaxacan artisans to the international art community. 

  • Kim Hunter, Tour Co-Leader & Textile Lover

    Over several trips to Oaxaca, my husband and I have cultivated rich relationships with the land, people, culture, & cuisine of Oaxaca. Our passions have evolved into a business, Traveling Traders Bazaar, which offers hands-on, immersive tours into this fascinating region of the world.  Deeply curious, appreciative of cultural differences and interpersonal engagement, we believe that by experiencing different cultures, we gain a greater understanding of the world, our place in it, and the better future that we can build together. It's in this spirit that we share the Oaxaca that we know & love with you.

How to join, the cost, ​and what's covered:

  • What is Covered on Trip

    This trip of 10-12 participants begins with dinner on June 11 and ends the evening of June 21st, our Guelaguetza celebration.

    Most meals (breakfasts and dinners on free evenings are on your own), two nights in mountain cabins, tours and guides, transport, activities, and workshop fees are included. 

    From June 14- June 22, we have a gorgeous four bedroom artist residence with rooftop terrace available for six participants (2 singles, 4 doubles) that is only a few blocks from Carolyn’s studio where our workshops and creative time will be spent. Fruit, yogurt, bread, and coffee will be available in the kitchen.

    Gratuity for all meals and services are included. Alcohol during meals, souvenirs, and some optional activities are not included. Lodging is not included for local participants.

  • Price & Payment Schedule

    The price of this 10 day/ 10 night trip per person* :

    • $3200.00 USD Single Room with double bed (2 spots)
    • $2800.00 USD Double Occupancy with Two Beds (4 spots)
    • $2200.00 USD Local, No Accommodation (4 spots)


    Lodging is not included for local participants, but we will provide a list of hotels in Xochimilco near our studio space to those interested. We do not provide accommodation the night of June 11 in Oaxaca City, but we will provide a list of recommended hotels that are convenient for our early departure on February 16th/ June 12th.


    Payments for the trip shall be made in full, and include the NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT of $500 so we can reserve accommodations, transportation and artisan workshops.

    Refunds for cancellations will be returned on the following schedule:

    • 120+ days before the start of the trip, 80% refund (total minus deposit);
    • 90-120 days before, 50% refund;
    • 90 days before, no refund available

  • How to Join

    Apply today! We review each application to get to know each participant and give us insight to create the best experience for each group. Once we've reviewed your application, we'll reach out ASAP to schedule a call, answer questions and send payment info. We use Stripe as our payment processor.

    We will fill the trip in the order of payments received.

    Payment plans are available on a case-by-case basis. Please send an e-mail to kim@travelingtradersbazaar.com an email to explore this option.

Impressions of Oaxaca Info Call