Silversmithing with Eugenia
Explore the most beautiful city in Mexico with kaleidoscopic streets around the hillsides and a fascinating 500-year-old history. Learn the ins and outs of silver with silversmith Eugenia, exploring surrealism and transforming stories into unique jewelry designs. Outside the studio, draw inspiration from the city’s graceful churches, leafy plazas, tequila tastings, and lively atmosphere.
- Snacks, Coffee, & Tea
Pricing
- One Guest
- USD $1125
- Additional guest(s) (max 3)
- USD $360
Accommodation
- One Guest
- USD $250
- Additional guest(s)
- USD $125
Meet the Artist
Eugenia is a silversmith whose identity is inextricable from her city's mining industry, history, and culture. With a multidisciplinary practice that draws inspiration from her prior experience in photography, artistic doll-making, painting, and writing, Eugenia honed her jewelry-making skills by learning from master artists worldwide.
Eugenia's practice spans processes from intricate metal casting and setting to international techniques such as Mokum Gane from Japan and Keum-Boo from Korea. She makes her own silver alloy, sourcing metal locally from recycled X-ray components. Eugenia is proficient in working with many types of metal, including copper and gold. She also frequently incorporates other materials, such as stones, gems, glass, and locally sourced clay, into her work.
Eugenia loves experimenting and collaborating with other artists and co-founded a collective of female silversmiths that hosts frequent exhibitions and collaborations. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes traditional techniques as a foundation, followed by a flourish of creativity, pushing students towards conceptual growth and experimentation. Eugenia is a patient and dedicated teacher excited to share her city and her love of silver.
Eugenia's practice spans processes from intricate metal casting and setting to international techniques such as Mokum Gane from Japan and Keum-Boo from Korea. She makes her own silver alloy, sourcing metal locally from recycled X-ray components. Eugenia is proficient in working with many types of metal, including copper and gold. She also frequently incorporates other materials, such as stones, gems, glass, and locally sourced clay, into her work.
Eugenia loves experimenting and collaborating with other artists and co-founded a collective of female silversmiths that hosts frequent exhibitions and collaborations. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes traditional techniques as a foundation, followed by a flourish of creativity, pushing students towards conceptual growth and experimentation. Eugenia is a patient and dedicated teacher excited to share her city and her love of silver.
VAWAA Includes:
- Design a jewelry collection of silver rings, pendants, earrings or your own concept.
- Sketch and design with an intention of creating pieces with a meaning.
- Learn about metal properties and create your own .925 silver alloy.
- Explore techniques like metal piercing, casting, rolling, welding, and wire creation.
- Intro to wax carving, allowing you to create more complex forms.
- Learn to set precious and semi-precious stones into metal.
- Refine and finish by polishing, shining, and cleaning techniques.
- Visit a former mine, Guanajuato’s minerals and stone museum, and other artist studios.
- If time permits, go on a hike to the nearby mountains and dams.
Stay at Eugenia's
Stay in a guest room located in the same historic building as Eugenia's studio, situated in the historic center of the city. The building offers great views and a unique charm. There are two guest rooms and each have their own entrance and private bathroom. Shared areas include a kitchen and dining room on the first floor, as well as common terraces. The rooms have Wi-Fi but no A/C, only fans. The downstairs room features twin beds and a small patio, while the upstairs room offers a double bed, a small terrace, and stunning views of the city and mountains. They are the same price.
Explore Guanajuato
Guanajuato, Mexico, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a captivating blend of history and culture. Founded over four centuries ago on the discovery of silver veins, it emerged as a global silver mining hub by the 18th century. Today, remnants of this legacy can be explored in subterranean streets and the 600-meter-deep 'Boca del Inferno.'
Each fall, Guanajuato hosts the Festival Internacional Cervantino, one of Latin America's most important artistic and cultural events. The cuisine, too, is a point of pride: don't miss out on the opportunity to sample "enchiladas mineras," or miner's enchiladas, a local favorite that speaks to the city's mining legacy. Immerse yourself in Guanajuato's artistic spirit, rich cultural legacy, and charming Baroque architecture — some of Mexico's most beautiful — and you'll soon discover why locals know Guanajuato as the "heart of Mexico."
Each fall, Guanajuato hosts the Festival Internacional Cervantino, one of Latin America's most important artistic and cultural events. The cuisine, too, is a point of pride: don't miss out on the opportunity to sample "enchiladas mineras," or miner's enchiladas, a local favorite that speaks to the city's mining legacy. Immerse yourself in Guanajuato's artistic spirit, rich cultural legacy, and charming Baroque architecture — some of Mexico's most beautiful — and you'll soon discover why locals know Guanajuato as the "heart of Mexico."
Additional Details
Guanajuato is a lovely place to visit year-round. The national festivities in September and the Festival Internacional Cervantino in October make early fall a particularly exciting time to be in the city.
This session can be extended for up to 10 days. Please add a note in your booking request.
Seniors and anyone above the age of 15 are welcome to participate. Guanajuato's geography and urban design may challenging for people with accessibility issues or special needs.
Eugenia speaks Spanish and English.
This session can be extended for up to 10 days. Please add a note in your booking request.
Seniors and anyone above the age of 15 are welcome to participate. Guanajuato's geography and urban design may challenging for people with accessibility issues or special needs.
Eugenia speaks Spanish and English.
Guest Reviews
Louise C., Australia
My stay with Eugenia was AMAZING. She was so calm, and knowledgable in her practice and I learnt everything I wanted to. It was a very nice blend of learning about the culture and learning about the craft. She was extremely flexible and patient and so kind. I would and hope to go back again to visit her. A truly inspiring woman.
Laraib A., United States
Learning with Eugenia was a great experience and I’m so excited to know her and looking forward to learning more with her in the future! We explored different techniques from melting silver down, rolling it, soldering, bezel a stone, casting and using silver dust for texture. All amazing experiences and I learned so much! I made some beautiful pieces that reflect my time in Guanajuato with Eugenia Read more
Xenia M., Australia
I had an absolute blast with Eugenia. Not only we spent 6 days of making some great pieces but also spent a good amount of time showing me around and having delicious meals out in town. She was attentive, patient and very generous with her time. She showed me a few different techniques and I managed to create 10 beautiful rings, each one of them so different to one another and now feeling more con Read more
