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  • The finished molcajete crafted by Anthony, under Julio's guidance, during is 7 day VAWAA apprenticeship.

    Discovering Creativity through Stone Carving in Zacualpan, Mexico

    For many, travel is about discovery—not just of new places, but of new ways of seeing and being. ...

    February 28, 2025

  • Left: Glass Sculpture (Photo by Inese Kalnina) by Latvian Glass artist Marta. Right: Stone Sculpture by British sculptor Gail.

    When Master Artists Learn from Each Other: A VAWAA Story

    With over 165 artists spanning 37 countries, VAWAA is more than a platform—it’s a global communit...

    February 20, 2025

  • A Culinary Journey Exploring Mixtec Traditions in Mexico

    As a culinary enthusiast, cultural preservationist, and herbal artist, I have an insatiable thirs...

    February 14, 2025

  • Meet Nato, Master VAWAA Artist and leader of the Georgian ceramics revival.

    Reviving Georgian Ceramics: Nato's Journey Through Tradition, Innovation, and Cultural Heritage

    If you ask anyone in Georgia about wine, they will likely mention the vessel that holds it. This ...

    January 31, 2025

  • Yoshinori San, 4th generation master, and one of ten remaining craftsmen in entire Japan capable of making Buddhist Rin bells.

    The Art and Tradition of Japanese Orin Bowls: Exploring Craftsmanship, Culture, and Meditation

    Japanese Orin bowls (おりん or 鉦鼓, pronounced "O-rin") are small, bell-like instruments deeply roote...

    January 24, 2025

  • Masayuki is a Japanese master painter and katazome artist based in Kyoto.

    The Human Challenges of Our Time—and How VAWAA Transforms Them Through Creative Apprenticeships

    As the world becomes increasingly AI-driven, where generating ideas is ubiquitous, the ability to...

    January 16, 2025

  • Macrina, a cultural visionary and a guardian of Zapotec heritage. Her commitment to red clay pottery ensures that this timeless craft continues to evolve and inspire.

    Macrina, The Zapotec Artisan: Daughter of the Red Clay

    In the early months of the year, under the Oaxacan sun, master ceramicist and VAWAA artist Macrin...

    November 22, 2024

  • Photo by Cosmic Timetraveler on Unsplash

    From Knitting to New Discoveries : VAWAA Apprenticeships Inspired by Textile & Craft Traditions

    In recent years, knitting tourism has gained traction, as noted by The New York Times in their ar...

    October 18, 2024

  • In This Mexican City, Women Transformed a Silversmithing Tradition

    In Guanajuato, Mexico, people walk on water—topographically, that is. Formerly known as Cuanaxhua...

    August 02, 2024

  • Rich Heritage Textile Traditions From Around the Globe

    Textiles may be the most immaterial materials on earth. They hold our memories, our desires, our ...

    July 26, 2024

  • Designers Miriam Josi and Stella Lee Prowse of Aléa.

    The Parisian Studio Growing the Future of Biodesign

    A white mass of fungi root sprawls below the human world. Called mycelium, it grows in thriving, ...

    June 15, 2024

  • JoAnna Haugen of Rooted focuses on sustainable tourism.

    Crafting Sustainable Tourism: Insights from JoAnna Haugen of Rooted

    Embarking on a journey of mindful travel often begins with the realization that our adventures ex...

    May 21, 2024

  • VAWAA artist Ursula and guest Sonam's family enjoy an art education in historical cuisine.

    How Families Cultivate an Art Education for Their Children with VAWAA

    A brief (and fascinating) history lesson: in the 1990s, NASA’s interest in divergent thinking and...

    April 22, 2024

  • 5 Rising Art Hubs around the globe

    5 Rising Art Hubs Mending a Global Art Tapestry

    Creativity knows no borders. Whether exhibited in prestigious galleries or adorning urban landsca...

    April 15, 2024

  • A handwoven piece by narrative textile artist, Karen

    The Forgotten Stories of Black Women Weavers in America

    Our ancestors are cardinal guides—vital mentors in uncovering the lessons of life. In the lands t...

    April 08, 2024

  • The resurgence of fiber art

    The Resurgence of Fiber Art

    These days, it seems the world can’t get enough of fiber arts. And thank goodness! I can’t help b...

    April 01, 2024

  • A typical wild rice-based Indigenous dish

    A Roadmap of Indigenous North American Cuisine

    When we talk about American cuisine, images of hamburgers, apple pies, or mac and cheese might co...

    March 25, 2024

  • Donna Green at HB381 Gallery, New York.

    Shaping the Future: Ceramics in a Contemporary World

    With their sometimes imaginative, sometimes functional works of art on display in galleries and m...

    March 18, 2024

  • 5 Ancient or Endangered Craft Traditions to Keep Alive

    5 Ancient or Endangered Craft Traditions to Keep Alive

    In the ongoing search for master craft masters who are willing to open their studios and share th...

    March 11, 2024

  • Creativity is the ultimate practice of self-love

    Nurturing Creativity as a Practice of Self-love

    As someone who’s endured the harsh beauty standards of the early 2000s (and all the insecurities ...

    February 26, 2024

  • An ode to an uninspired artist

    Dear Uninspired Artist, Welcome the Recharge as Muse

    Winter's long, dark days invite an ice-frosted gloom for many of us. Living in New York City, my ...

    February 23, 2024

  • Creative wellness as a practice

    3 Powers of Creative Wellness (and Why It Matters)

    What creative pursuit brings you joy? From dancing to painting, creativity can manifest itself in...

    February 19, 2024

  • Creative destinations to inspire you

    Discovering New Cultural and Creative Destinations—5 VAWAAs to Inspire You

    I’m noticing a lot of reels highlighting lesser-known travel destinations. Clips of almost-empty-...

    February 12, 2024

  • A piece by a felt artist

    7 Big Questions with Fiber Artist Marjolein

    Like many professional artists, Marjolein’s path has been a squiggly one. She initially worked as...

    February 09, 2024

  • How to Make Money As an Artist: A Guide

    Ikigai: How to Make Money as an Artist

    At last, the big question. One that looms large in this glorious, complicated, ever-shifting thin...

    February 05, 2024

  • Art and Impermanence: An Introspection

    Ephemeral Beauties and Transcendent Peoples: Embracing Art and Impermanence

    In an age defined by instant gratification, the realities of a memory erased or the end of a jour...

    January 29, 2024

  • 5 reasons we love slow travel

    5 Benefits of Slow Travel: Embracing Mindful, Slow Tourism

    Passport? Check. Portable charger? Check. Water Bottle? Check. This list goes on. Preparing for a...

    January 22, 2024

  • In the Heart of Chef Joanne’s Kitchen, We Celebrate the Culinary Matriarchs of Goan Cuisine

    Something about the kitchen can always call to the depths of the soul. It invites you in for an o...

    January 05, 2024

  • Contemporary painting in the dreamtime tradition by Khatja Possum

    The Dream Map is the New Resolution

    Is it just me, or does the start of each new year feel like a bit of a shock awakening? After the...

    January 01, 2024

  • Nancy Basket

    Nancy Basket: Walhalla’s Kudzu Master on the Intergenerational Power of Basket Making

    As a child of the South, kudzu overgrowths gracefully lended themselves to my wandering imaginati...

    October 27, 2023

  • Hannah Höch's "Roma." Photo: Berlinische Galerie/VG Bild-Kunst

    Remarkable Women Changing The Narrative Through Art

    Art has revolutionized the lives of women, providing them with a means to express themselves. Thr...

    June 16, 2023

  • Claire Reynes during her VAWAA in Mexico.

    Celebrating Teachers Who Are Shaping our Future

    For this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week, we want to take a moment to honor and recognize the in...

    May 05, 2023

  • Michael Ventura

    Prioritizing Purpose with Michael Ventura

    Purpose and living a meaningful life are recurring themes at VAWAA. As a community of creative tr...

    April 13, 2023

  • Left and right, Lake Umecuaro, Mexico. Photo: Claire Reynes

    Tend Your Garden, Cure Your Burn Out

    Carmen and I walked along the ambiguous edge of Lake Umecuaro. The depth of the water fluctuates ...

    March 27, 2023

  • An 'Alien bowl' I made during my VAWAA in Slovenia

    Letting True Nature Take The Lead : Olivier's Ceramics Journey

    Hi All! My name is Olivier, Olly; born and raised in Amsterdam, and I would like to share my stor...

    January 27, 2023

  • Photo by @strikula

    Referral Program

    Refer friends and earn VAWAA creditsKnow someone that would love to go on a VAWAA? Were you refer...

    January 10, 2023

  • VAWAA team from left to right: Kris Kiger, Erica Batista, Geetika Agrawal

    My first 3 months at VAWAA: How it’s Helped Me Find My Creativity

    I have always been passionate about art and travel, so when I came across VAWAA, I was immediatel...

    January 04, 2023

  • Elena Vela Rey learning how to make baskets.

    The Story of a Journey: From Design to Arts & Crafts

    This is the story of a journey. My journey. Everything started in 2016. I was an art director wor...

    December 15, 2022

  • Main Photo: Apartment in Gamla Stan, 1968. Photos: Sven Åsberg

    Ikigai: Uncovering Your Unique Talents

    I'm not usually entertained by food network tv - never having had much interest in cooking myself...

    November 07, 2022

  • Meditation on Art and Play

    Art was always an important part of my life. I was the child that asked for a paint set for Chris...

    September 20, 2022

  • Luisa and Liza during their VAWAA with textile designer Thao in Vietnam.

    Spot Artists. Nominations Now Open.

    Who are the best artists and makers you know?At VAWAA, we love hunting for the best artists aroun...

    August 31, 2022

  • Woven mandala by VAWAA artist Cloe in Majorca, Spain

    Art and Geometry: How Composition Teaches Us About the Higher Order of Nature

    In all of art’s storied and complex history, one constant is that humans will create. Creation is...

    August 15, 2022

  • Istanbul based VAWAA artist and dancer, Alper

    Beyond Words: Experience Culture and Arts to Transcend Language

    With over 100 artists in 27 countries, with crafts ranging from Sgraffito pottery in India to Con...

    July 04, 2022

  • Two upcycled shirts by VAWAA guest, stylist, and founder of vintage clothing store Preloved, Rebecca Rose. Photo credit: Jean Pierre Espinal

    Upcycling Textiles in the Basque Country

    I always enjoy traveling alone and meeting new people, learning about different cultures, and acq...

    June 20, 2022

  • Hayden with Robert Paul, a.k.a  “Jean Weaver” “Jean Genie” "Denim Doctor"

    My Favorite Shirt

    Soggy snowflakes pattered my windshield as I let out the clutch on a Montana backroad. I was on m...

    June 10, 2022

  • Ikebana artist Kimiko in Kyoto, Japan

    Ikigai: The Secret to a Happier You and a Better World

    When you’re a part of the VAWAA team, you’re coming across different artforms, crafts and creativ...

    May 25, 2022

  • Traditional trullos in Puglia, Italy

    A Cooking Experience in Puglia, Italy

    I have a confession to make, I am a self described Travel Whore. Yes, you read that right. I am a...

    May 19, 2022

  • Don't "Miss-Education"

    “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”--Mahatma GandhiIn 19...

    April 09, 2022

  • Sarah learning the art of handweaving with Ulrike in Spain

    The Art Apprentice

    The world is opening up again, and that itch to roam and wander is strong! What better way to ful...

    January 25, 2022

  • Keeping Traditions Alive with Gee's Bend

    Throw away your rotary cutter, your quilting ruler, and your cutting mat.  And, probably any rule...

    November 08, 2021

  • An Ode in Memory of Paola Besana

    The VAWAA family is ever expanding, our team is always looking out for inspiring new craftspeople...

    October 20, 2021

  • Reclaim & Renewal: Communing With Images and the Art of Collage

    ‘Collage allows the opening of the unconscious, which is very direct…. it’s also a way of looking...

    September 28, 2021

  • Life Lessons from Stone : Designers of Virtual Worlds on their Apprenticeship with an Award Winning Stone Sculptor

    Michael Hazani, a software engineer and virtual reality designer had a dream. He wanted to work w...

    August 02, 2021

  • Walking With The Elder: Present, Past and Future

    Wrinkles and fine lines, grey hairs, varicose veins, slow footsteps, shaky movements… In our imag...

    June 30, 2021

  • VAWAA Artist Linnea's beautiful four acre property in Upstate New York

    Vacation With An Artist : East Coast Edit

    Unsurprisingly, you will find that many areas around New York City are peppered with creative mic...

    June 29, 2021

  • Zapotec Weavers and VAWAA Artists Jacobo and Maria at their studio in Teotitlan del Valle

    Vacation With An Artist : Mexico Edit

    The history of Mexico has seen the rise and fall of great civilizations, and thousands of years o...

    June 29, 2021

  • Four men holding kayak frames while building boats

    Build Your Own Boat for Your Summer Vacation at the Lake

    How would you like to end your vacation with a hand built boat to take home - built entirely by y...

    June 28, 2021

  • Handbuild your very own canoe and then paddle it down the river with VAWAA Artist Rollin in Maine.

    Vacation with An Artist: Massachusetts to Maine Edit

    New England has historically been home to several art colonies. This treasured region was where s...

    June 28, 2021

  • A tattoo design by Taiom, based on the book ‘Futures Past’ by historian Reinhart

    How Taiom is Pushing the Boundaries of 21st Century Tattoo Ideas

    Once, when avant garde tattoo artist Taiom lived in Bologna, he was approached by a history stude...

    June 24, 2021

  • Vacation with an Artist: California Edit

    A few years ago I got the chance to visit the home and studio of a talented artist in the city I ...

    June 22, 2021

  • VAWAA guest Amy along with VAWAA Artist Iria at Iria's beautiful studio in Galicia, Spain. Photographed by Jose Troitinho

    Why a Vacation With An Artist is the Best Way to Travel Post-Pandemic

    An interesting trend emerged over the past year: nearly everyone I know has become a practicing h...

    June 04, 2021

  • Freshly harvested grapes from Ursula's garden. She is a VAWAA artist, historic cuisine chef and archaeologist based in Martina Franca, Italy.

    In The Mood For Travel: A Way Forward

    The excitement of embarking on new adventures is here! Countries across the world begin to reopen...

    May 24, 2021

  • Visual artist Beatrice Coron posing with and wearing her cut creations. Photo by Ric Kallaher.

    Living Through Transition: Beatrice Coron Lets Curiosity and Creative Intuition Take the Lead

    Armed with a blade and an equally sharp wit, Manhattan-based artist Beatrice Coron tells vivid vi...

    February 13, 2021

  • Textile collage by Nancy Walter

    Reclaiming Intuition Through Making and Textile Collage

    Our contemporary world is complex. With technology allowing for consistent communication, as well...

    February 02, 2021

  • Artist Debra Rapoport wearing a hat she made from paper towels. Photographed by Denton Taylor.

    Living through Transition: Debra Rapoport and the healing power of creativity

    Art is a reflection of the world around us. When the world shifts and we lose our collective way,...

    January 05, 2021

  • Patterns by Srujana Akkiraju from Brooklyn, USA.

    Patterns in Moroccan Geometry: An Online Exhibition

    It’s incredible what you can create with just a compass, ruler, and colored pencils. Over five we...

    July 15, 2020

  • Alexandra Marizy’s and her family’s collective mandala project.

    Collective Wisdom for a Better Future

    It has been about two months since the majority of the world has been under lockdown. Five weeks ...

    May 14, 2020

  •  "Lockdown" photomontage by VAWAA Artist Annette, collage and photomontage artist in Greece.

    A global family reunion.

    Our first VAWAA Live last Saturday was a reunion of strangers. Meeting your creative brothers and...

    April 07, 2020

  • Making my first pair of jeans.

    A Mini Apprenticeship with a Bespoke Denim Maker

    There is a creative spirit in all of us. But it gets very quiet and lazy if all we do is work at ...

    March 04, 2020

  • We crave a simpler way of life and are increasingly going back to basics. Courtesy of @ankhesenamun96.

    Going Back to Basics — Using Time-Honored Concepts to Shape the Contemporary Framework

    In the face of a world that is faster and crazier than ever, we are coming to understand that our...

    December 30, 2019

  • Demonstration of Chado, the Art of Tea at the Portland Japanese Garden. Courtesy of Jonathan Ley.

    The Art of the Japanese Tea Ceremony and What It Can Teach Us About Appreciating Everyday Items

    The Japanese Tea ceremony, or sadō (“way of tea”) as we know it today, emerged during the 16th ce...

    December 22, 2019

  • Courtesy of Xevi Casanovas.

    How to Develop a "Joy of Missing Out” Artistic Mindset

    The extremely popular meme, Fear of Missing Out, which was born in 2000 as a result of a marketin...

    December 13, 2019

  • Abstract painting by VAWAA Artist Tessa from The Netherlands.

    Ink Art is Becoming More Valuable

    “I’ve been creative all my life as a young child but I’ve never really recognized it because to m...

    November 14, 2019

  • Wet Plate Collodion Photo Expedition with Borut in Ljubljana, Slovenia

    How do you Maximize an “Experience”?

    In 2014, an essay called “Waiting for Merlot” was published in the journal Psychological Science ...

    November 08, 2019

  • Courtesy of @toulakaran.

    “Take Five” with Kimiko on the Art of Ikebana

    Ikebana or “the art of arranging flowers” is an ancient floral art form that dates back to the 7t...

    October 29, 2019

  • My Soul Rejuvenating Solo Experience With VAWAA

    An incredible experience to say the least! You know those rare moments in your life where realit...

    October 14, 2019

  • VAWAA tattoo artist, Taiom.

    Tattoo Art is Now Hotter Than Ever Before

    Tattooing has been practiced as far back as thousands of years, with discoveries of tattooed skin...

    October 11, 2019

  • Courtesy of Aarón Blanco Tejedor.

    What Exactly Is Art Therapy and Does It Work?

    When the Pratt Institute started offering a graduate art therapy degree in 1970, it became one of...

    October 10, 2019

  • “Take Five” with Ines in Portugal

    Ines, who teaches the art of creating mandalas to VAWAA guests, has loved to play with nature sin...

    October 04, 2019

  • Different colors of hand-dyed yarn from Old Wire Road, founded by Ashley Wilson. Courtesy of Old Wire Road.

    Why Knitting Matters Now More Than Ever

    At VAWAA, we believe in connecting with art as an opportunity to explore, learn, and create. Maki...

    September 23, 2019

  • Six Tips to Trade in “Goals” for “Growth”

    We’ve probably heard this since our childhood: what are your goals? What milestones have you cros...

    September 13, 2019

  • At Helsinki Design Week 2019. Courtesy of DelightFULL.

    Five Things We Learned from Paris, London and Helsinki Design Weeks

    The romantic city of Paris has yet another dimension, as the home of Design Week that is currentl...

    September 12, 2019

  • Courtesy of Brenau University.

    Large-Scale Printmaking Works Abound…thanks to Steamrollers!

    The art of printmaking which originated in China around 105 A.D. used stone rubbing as the earlie...

    September 09, 2019

  • “Take Five” with Robert

    Denim, a fabric that is as everyday to most of us as eating or sleeping, has marked culture and f...

    August 30, 2019

  • It's important to slow our travels down to appreciate, honor, and engage with the places that we explore. Courtesy of Jesse.

    Slow Travel is the Solution to Traveling Consciously

    The Travel DilemmaThe more we travel, the more we’re inspired to care for the planet. Yet the mor...

    August 28, 2019

  • “The Little Prince” is a book that is also very relevant to adults. Courtesy of @stasiaburrinngton.

    How to Rebuild that Childlike Creative Divergent Thinking

    In the magical book, Le Petit Prince or The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry tells the sto...

    August 15, 2019

  • Anastasia, a VAWAA artist, teaches guests how to make different types of ceramic-ware in Spain.

    How Ceramics are Disconnecting Us from our Phones and Reconnecting Us with Ourselves

    It’s about connecting with clay in a totally therapeutic wayToday, the art of ceramics has seen a...

    August 06, 2019

  • Wood Cut Print made by Julie Duryea during her Printmaking VAWAA with master printmaker Gerard, Paris.

    I Am Not An Artist... Yet

    Honestly, I could substitute that word “artist” with any number of pursuits that carry a one-word...

    July 29, 2019

  • Sundance Resort, Utah

    Boutique hotels for arts, crafts and design lovers: VAWAA Partners with Tablet Hotels

    What if you could extend your travel experience with a stay at a hotel that really gets the minds...

    July 25, 2019

  • My first week at Ceramics class was spent working on a plant pot for my mint plant. Courtesy of Georgiana Phua.

    How to Plan your Sabbatical

    “Why does someone from Singapore need to learn Spanish?”, the immigration officer at Amsterdam’s ...

    July 20, 2019

  • Me, Master Weaver Antonio, Geetika, and Master Natural Dyer Juana, Courtesy of VAWAA.

    A Trip to Oaxaca Learning about the Zapotec Weaving and Textile Community in Teotitlán del Valle

    Recently, Team VAWAA lived and worked from Mexico City for a month. Geetika and I were lucky enou...

    July 15, 2019

  • Courtesy of Jayne Matricardi.

    Breaking Through Life Transitions and Out of Creative Ruts

    Lisa Sheirer is an artist, a designer, and educator living in Frederick, Maryland, United States....

    July 10, 2019

  • Watercoloring in Riviera Maya, Mexico, 2018. Photo courtesy Katherine Conaway.

    Art Experiences for Travelers and Digital Nomads

    One warm July morning in 2015, a high school student arrived in a tuktuk to my guesthouse in Luan...

    July 08, 2019

  • Being silly with my guide in Nepal. Courtesy of Lina Fedirko.

    People Across Journeys

    “To travel, above all, is to change one’s skin.” – Antoine de Saint-ExupéryThese words by Antoine...

    July 05, 2019

  • Courtesy of Manoocher.

    Experiencing Holy Week in Southern Italy with World-Renowned Photojournalist

    "I never travel alone as I always have my camera with me."When I left Marrakech last week, the se...

    June 25, 2019

  • Susy Matthew in the studio of VAWAA artist and Slovenian contemporary ceramics designer Katja. Courtesy of Tit Košir.

    Learning Contemporary Ceramics from a Slovenian Designer: Peek into my VAWAA Journal

    Before My VAWAA, Outward-LookingThe world beckoned and every tale of travel made me want to go ex...

    June 22, 2019

  • Karakami Printmakers Takuma and Aiko.

    12 Things to Know about VAWAA (Vacation With An Artist)

    Book a Vacation to Learn a SkillVacations are too often used as a way to “escape” our day-to-day ...

    June 20, 2019

  • Artwork by Linda Moerland

    Why Your Dreams Are Dead and How to Bring Them Back to Life

    “When you stop growing you start dying.” - Lou HaltzHarsh but true. “Travel the world.” “Write a ...

    June 18, 2019

  • Courtesy of Giuseppe Famiani.

    Stop Letting Life Happen to You: The Power of Creative Living

    When’s the last time you did something for you? For the sake of your own personal growth. And let...

    May 30, 2019

  • "Introduction to the world of natural perfume-making  Ever wondered how to make a natural perfume? We did too, and we're telling our story on the blog: How we learned natural perfume making from Persephenie Los Angeles based master.  #vawaa #art #artist #perfume #fragrance #creativevacation #losangeles #learn #makers"

    Team VAWAA Learns Natural Perfume Making with Persephenie

    If our founder Geetika could, she would do a VAWAA every month. That's why she started this compa...

    May 10, 2019

  • """We make stuff so that we can return back to who we really are. Creative beings."" Read the full story and see more pics of this tissue paper mosaic on the VAWAA blog.   #vawaa #homedecor #art #artist #artwork #paper  #papercrafts  #paperart "

    Creativity: The Gateway Back To Yourself

    Creativity used to be a word I would use to describe extracurricular activities. Something to do ...

    February 16, 2019

  • """When you are alone there is no one else to blame. You are the only one responsible for how you spend your time."" Read about the lessons this Silicon Valley pro learned through solo travel all over the world.  #vawaa #solotravel #travel #lessons #travelers #dancing #tango"

    What Traveling Alone Taught Me

    After 12 years in Silicon Valley, I had finally burnt out. It wasn’t anything dramatic or even th...

    February 04, 2019

  • For anyone embarking on solo travel: seek connections, smiling strangers, heartwarming moments in everyday life, and try to approach your experience with openness, curiosity and kindness. #solotravel #vawaa #creativevacation #travelexperience #globetrotter #slowtravel #adventure #womenwhotravel #travel #discovery #traveltips

    How Solo Travel Empowers Me

    Ability to travel is my most prized possession – ability to travel solo is my most humbling conne...

    February 03, 2019

  • There is a sense of adventure in going somewhere you’ve never been before, especially if you choose a mindset of openness, learning, and intentionality to see what you might discover about and within yourself | via Vacation with an Artist Blog #creativevacation #vawaa #travel #art #creativity #personaldevelopment #slowtravel

    How Art and Travel Invite Us To Explore Aspects of Ourselves and Expand our Comfort Zone

    The journey of discovery is a beautiful gift and there are ways that we can intentionally lean in...

    January 29, 2019

  • "Read Zoe's story about transformational travel experience in the Moroccan desert.  #vawaa #creativevacation #travel #morrocco #solotravel #women "

    Sipping Moroccan Tea - Discovering Travel Experiences That Transform Us

    It was a warm October evening on the rooftop terrace of a Fes riad in the old medina. Stars spark...

    January 13, 2019

  • "Steve travels to India twice a year. This time he decided to go for a unique art & travel experience, learning metal casting in rural India with local Dhokra master artists.  #vawaa #art #artist #artwork #travel #metalart #casting #india"

    Treasured Memories Learning Dhokra Metal Art in Panchgani

    I travel to India a lot, at least twice a year, and always try to include as much local art as po...

    January 08, 2019

  • Sarah strolling around Gran Canaria, Spain. Courtesy of Tomás.

    What We Tell Every Solo Female Traveler

    Our small VAWAA team is made up of solo travelers. From Indonesia to Lithuania to Gran Canaria, w...

    January 02, 2019

  • "A Solo Traveler's Lessons About Creativity & Community ""I cannot think of creativity without thinking of community"". Read Natalie's full story on the VAWAA blog.  #vawaa #creativevacation #travel #buenosaires #community #creativity #art #fashion"

    What I learned about creativity and community - From Buenos Aires to New York City

    I cannot think of creativity without thinking of community. And whenever I think about what livin...

    December 20, 2018

  • "Sariska took her love for art & solo travel to a new level. She joined a VAWAA vacation and took to the streets of Buenos Aires to learn how to paint a wall mural from an actual street artist. Read the full story on the VAWAA blog.  #vawaa #creativevacation #travel #solotravel #buenosaires #art #artwork #artist #streetart #wallmural"

    Why Artist Vacations Are Great For Solo Travel?

    I drew a sketch on a sheet of paper. A girl with long wild blue hair, running shoes in sight, dre...

    December 09, 2018

  • Finding peace in the face of our hyper-connected world and overworked schedules can feel impossible, out of sight. But it is impossible. Here's how our guest found peace and healing in NYC. #vawaa #travel #artist #mentalhealth #women #nyc #change #mindset

    How I found peace and healing by nurturing my inner artist and relationships

    Our toughest moments in life often arise from a series of unanticipated situations or deep trauma...

    December 01, 2018

  • "Interview with Jannelle, a NYC artist, about printmaking & traveling to Europe | Read the full story on the VAWAA blog  #vawaa #art #artist #printmaking #barcelona #europe #travel "

    An Artist Rediscovers Printmaking While Visiting Europe for the First Time

    Having studied painting in school, Jannelle is no stranger to the artistic studio. But it had bee...

    November 25, 2018

  • "Read the story of how Sarika made her first stone sculpture | Vacation with an Artist Stone Sculpture for Beginners Workshop   #vawaa #art #artists #sculpture #creativity #travel #tanzania #education #craft"

    Carving a Life in Stone

    When I decided to visit Tanzania this year, the first thing I did was look up the VAWAA website t...

    November 16, 2018

  • "A different way to take a holiday: Katja tells the story of her solo female travel to Slovenia, learning ceramics | Full story  on the Vacation with an Artist blog.  #vawaa #art #artists #ceramics #creativity #travel #slovenia #education #craft #solotravel "

    A Solo Slovenian Journey All About Ceramics and Relaxation

    Karolien is a Belgian restaurateur who has long been bitten by the travel bug, criss-crossing the...

    November 04, 2018

  • "From Antarctica to Spain: a high school student's story about art, travel and mandala-making | Full story on the Vacation with an Artist blog.  #vawaa #art #artists #mandala #creativity #travel #spain #education #craft #solotravel #highschool"

    This High School Student Discovered a Passion for Mandala-Making in Spain

    A high school student with big dreams to become an artist and open her own studio, Ananya was loo...

    September 23, 2018

  • "Read Catharina's story about her 2-week trip to Majorca, exploring the island and taking a ceramics apprenticeship with an artist.  #vawaa #art #artists #ceramics #creativity #travel #spain #education #craft #majorca #tourism"

    How to Avoid Classic Tourism Learning Ceramics in Majorca

    I decided to do a VAWAA because I like to travel, and I like to feel at home while traveling.Ther...

    September 19, 2018

  • "Caron's story about her 4-day photography art trip in the beautiful Canary Islands | Slow travel experience for creatives via Vacation with an Artist.  #vawaa #art #artists #photogrpahy #creativity #travel #spain #education #craft #desert #tourism"

    Rediscovering Inspiration While Photographing the Canary Islands

    I really needed to be inspired again by a hobby I started years ago, but wanted to take it to a m...

    September 15, 2018

  • Creative vacation idea for couples who love art & travel | Learn how to make ceramic bowls and home decor in the Alps of Slovenia  #vawaa #art #artist #creativity #ceramics #slovenia #travel #couples #relationshipgoals #vacation

    Escaping the City Grind for Ceramics in the Alps of Slovenia

    We are both very busy. We also both love art and travel, and we are both creatives at heart.We he...

    August 17, 2018

  • "Read Marleen's unique solo female travel experience in Argentina | She learned the entire mural process from start to finish and created her own piece of street art.  #vawaa #art #artist #solotravel #travel #argentina #buenosaires #wallmurals #murals #urbanart #streetart"

    From the Studio to the Street: Making Murals in Buenos Aires

    Street art was on Dutch painter Marleen’s bucket list for years, but she kept finding a reason to...

    August 01, 2018

  • Eager to learn more about photo developing and processing, skills she had only taught herself, Gabriella traveled to Berlin for a VAWAA to learn cyanotype film development with photographer Sehera. #vawaa #berlin #travel #art #artist #photography #photoprinting #creativity #therapy

    Learning By Doing: How This Aspiring Art Therapist Pursued Her Interest in Photo Printing Techniques in Berlin

    Art runs in Gabriella’s blood. Between studying art at university, practicing art forms such as p...

    July 27, 2018

  • Formerly a businesswoman and now a life coach, Sajili spent five days in the studio of master artist Clare, where she learned painting, explored the markets and cobblestone streets of Guardia, and lived her days immersed in creativity and self-expression. #vawaa #creativity #art #artist #painting #italy #travel #solotravel #painting

    Learning to Live Unapologetically While Painting in Europe

    Formerly a businesswoman and now a life coach, Sajili has spent the last several years living wit...

    July 25, 2018

  • How do you learn the skills that centuries ago were passed from generation to generation in a craftsman’s family or through an apprenticeship with a master in a trade guild? You look for a master.  #vawaa #art #crafts #artisan #artist #apprenticeship #education #travel

    The Lost Art of Apprenticeship

    In the age of massive - and often unexpected - layoffs, how often do we wish we had practical ski...

    June 28, 2018

  • A vacation learning ceramics and discovering Mumbai, India. Courtesy of Melissa Hamlyn.

    Sunset Priest: Part Two

    Melissa Hamlyn recently embarked on her first VAWAA: a clay and pottery getaway with Thomas at h...

    May 23, 2018

  • A trip to Delhi and Varanasi after a vacation spent learning ceramics in Goa, India. Courtesy of Melissa Hamlyn.

    Sunset Priest: Part One

    Melissa Hamlyn recently embarked on her first VAWAA: a clay and pottery getaway with Thomas at h...

    May 21, 2018

  • You can seek out creativity in a calligraphy studio in Japan or your own backyard. Courtesy of Kate Tram Nguyen.

    How to Take a Creative Vacation

    Let’s Begin With Why You Should Take a Creative Vacation The act of creating is a healing practic...

    May 07, 2018

  • Wandering the streets in Tel Aviv. Courtesy of Rossi Anastopoulo.

    The VAWAA Guide for Fearless Solo Women Travelers

    You’re ready to travel the world and experience new adventures...but you’re not quite sure where ...

    April 19, 2018

  • Sarika learning to paint a mural during her VAWAA with master street artist Pum Pum in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Courtesy of Sarika Pandit.

    From Penang to Buenos Aires: This Woman is Inspiring Everyone to Go On a Creative Vacation

    An avid traveler, Sarika usually takes a trip every three or four months, and she’s even written ...

    April 18, 2018

  • Learning photography and photojournalism from a master in Italy. Courtesy of Geetika Agrawal.

    From Writing Code to Learning Photojournalism with a Master

    I’ve always pursued opportunities to learn. In fact, my passion for learning is one of the things...

    March 15, 2018

  • Rediscovering the inner artist and practicing creativity in India. Courtesy of Julia Zoellner.

    Chasing That Explorer Feeling: Mastering Pottery with Thomas in Goa

    Thomas as a Teacher, Host and FriendDuring my 2 week India trip, I have spent 4 days at Thomas' s...

    February 05, 2018

  • Katie during her VAWAA with master calligrapher Chikako in Kyoto, Japan. Courtesy of Katie Graham.

    Uncovering Kyoto through calligraphy with Katie Graham

    Over the past 25 years, watercolor artist Katie Graham, has taken her passion for art with her on...

    November 04, 2017

  • Me with my host mother Nelly in Bordeaux, May 2015. I graduated early from high school to study French at the Alliance Francaise for a semester. Courtesy of Aisling Henihan.

    This Is How Millennials Travel

    My name is Aisling, and I’m a millennial. When I was asked to write a piece about how millennials...

    September 10, 2017

  • Duc's studio in the mountains outside Hanoi. Courtesy of Geetika Agrawal.

    A writing vacation with Duc in the mountains outside Hanoi

    Mornings spent in the silence of Tam Dao. Afternoons writing the next great novel. Evenings loung...

    September 05, 2017

  • Master Chef Nazlina. Courtesy of Ethan Hsu.

    Hanging out with chef Nazlina can never be bland!

    With the windows to Nazlina's workshop wide open, we can't escape the background noise: the vroom...

    July 13, 2017

  • Toy train by Bruno Rovagnati during a VAWAA with toy designer Gonzalo in Buenos Aires. Courtesy of Bruno Rovagnati.

    How toy making inspires a surprising approach to technical problem-solving

    A recent VAWAA experience introduced two Buenos Aires citizens from different professional worlds...

    July 12, 2017

  • Stop consuming. Start creating.

    Stop Consuming. Start Creating.

    We live in such a distracted world; a world of spectating, observing, and endless critiquing. Eve...

    May 29, 2017

  • Music Producer Francisco. Montevideo, Uruguay. Courtesy of Francisco.

    From New York to Montevideo, Two Musicians Collaborate Across Cultures

    “World music with teeth.”This is how musicians Alberto Botero and VAWAA artist Francisco describe...

    May 04, 2017

  • Gran Canaria, Spain. Courtesy of Tomas.

    Hacks for making travel more affordable

    At the risk of contradicting our own headline, we’re going to start this off with a simple truth:...

    April 06, 2017

  • Learn Rattan Weaving with Sim. Courtesy of Sim.

    Sim: A Rattan Legacy

    Atop the shop’s entrance, the Chinese characters of Seang Hin Leong  are written in bold red. Rat...

    April 02, 2017

  • Cao Bang, Vietnam. Courtesy of Julia Larsen and Lesley Onstott.

    Two friends travel to Vietnam in search of inspiration for their sustainable fashion brand

    “Made in Bangladesh” our clothes say. Have you ever wondered about the hands behind these clothes...

    March 08, 2017

  • Courtesy of Erik.

    A walk in his shoes: Bespoke shoemaker Erik talks creative inspiration in the Czech Republic

    Most of us are familiar with the sensation of looking at a particular painting or a sculpture and...

    March 07, 2017

  • Kat in New York City. Courtesy of Nejat Öz.

    Tango Is A Movable Feast

    Vivi is my tango mama, and she is legendary.I met Vivi on a hot midsummer day in Buenos Aires. It...

    February 08, 2017

  • Courtesy of Pum Pum.

    Muralist Pum Pum talks urban art, “Big Flequi,” and biking in Buenos Aires

    The VAWAA artist gives insight into her creative processPorteño muralist Pum Pum prefers to navig...

    February 08, 2017

  • Sara Cousins at a handmade paper factory in Auroville, India. Courtesy of Sara Cousins.

    When a trip abroad becomes so much more than a vacation

    A trip abroad elicits mental visions of white stretches of sand and perfectly Instagrammed Cappuc...

    February 08, 2017

  • Mural by street artist Pum Pum in China. Courtesy of Pum Pum.

    How to travel in 2017

    After the eye-opening, stunning, and far too frequently tragic events of 2016 — or the-year-that-...

    January 16, 2017

  • Ethan during his vacation with chef Nazlina in Penang, Malaysia. Courtesy of Ethan Hsu.

    Ethan Hsu embraces his Asian roots with chef Nazlina

    While other children had sandwiches or meat pies for lunch, Ethan’s grandma packed him elaborate ...

    January 15, 2017

  • Anja and Alja with their handmade soaps. Photo: Anja and Alja

    Meet Anja & Alja, Slovenian Soap-Makers

    On the Slovenian coast lies the old salt fields of Piran, a portion of which is preserved as a sa...

    December 12, 2016

  • Courtesy of Ann Ravinther.

    Postcard from Seoul: Living Arts with a Tattoo Artist and an Urban Farmer

    South Korea’s capital, Seoul, was appointed as a UNESCO City of Design in 2010. Seoul became part...

    December 06, 2016

  • Mauricio in his studio in Montevideo, Uruguay. Courtesy of Mauricio.

    Imagine yourself on a Vacation With an Artist

    What on Earth beats the relaxing feeling of lying on the beach, soaking in the sun?As it turns ou...

    November 10, 2016

  • Jan and Ondrej with their ‘Olegu’ silk screen graphics. Courtesy of the artists.

    A Colorful Conversation with Printmakers Jan and Ondrej

    We asked Jan to described Ondrej, his partner in art. Jan proceeded to tell us that Ondrej is the...

    November 08, 2016

  • Goat milk, honey, chamomile soap. Courtesy of Milo, Anja, Alja.

    Katja’s Christmas with Slovenian Soap Designers

    Last Christmas, Katja Kramberger wanted to break the usual holiday routine. Instead of eating coo...

    November 07, 2016

  • My art form is very different from what you see in a “Tango show”. The Tango show is about choreography. Dancers repeat the same movements 100 times ’til they do it perfectly with the same song. They dance thinking of an audience. It looks like something that only a few skilled individuals can do. However, my art form — “social tango” — is something anyone can do. #vawaa #tango #buenosaires #argentina #travel #dancing #art #education

    5 Minutes with Viviana, Tango Guru

    The unifying factor that strings Viviana’s extraordinary lifestyle together is her passion for Ta...

    October 05, 2016

  • Art & learning a new skill are great ways to make sure your vacations nourish your spirit & boost your inspiration.  #vawaa #travel #artist #art #education #skills #holiday #vacation

    4 reasons to vacation with an artist for your next holiday

    Raise your hand if you’re eyeing the calendar, counting the days until sayonara to 2016.It’s been...

    October 05, 2016

  • Cecilia decided to visit countries that she's never been to before. She chose to learn creative skills as part of this “soul-searching” time in her life. Read the full story of her trip to Slovenia and learning ceramics from a local artist on the VAWAA blog.  #vawaa #slovenia #art #artist #creativity #makers #ceramics #education #skills

    Goodbye Brazil, Hello Slovenia — and ceramics!

    With every country that Cecilia travels to, she strives to create a “routine”. A combination of g...

    October 05, 2016

  • Read Michelle's solo travel story about discovering vibrant flavors, traditional techniques, and healing ingredients as she learned the colorful world of Malay cooking from chef Nazlina.  #vawaa #foodporn #food #recipes #culinary #asia #malaysia #travel #solotravel

    Michelle’s cooking vacation with chef Nazlina

    Michelle stumbled upon VAWAA by pure luck… “I’m part of a Facebook group called Girls Love Travel...

    September 06, 2016

  • A journey into the life of wayang kulit artist, the traditional Malaysian leather shadow puppets making art.  #vawaa #art #artist #creativity #puppets #leather #puppets #makers #artisan #malaysia

    Mohd Jufry: Protector of leather shadow puppets in Malaysia

    “You know, there’s a difference between Malaysian shadow puppets and the ones in Thailand and Ind...

    September 02, 2016

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