Charcoal, paint and large sheets of fabric at the villa, any time of day: for the one who draws every day, the one who hasn't held a brush since school and the one who just wants to try.
The way we see it
Almost every group arrives with the same sentence: "I'm not creative." Then someone makes the first mark. Someone else answers it. An hour later, the table is covered.
We don't teach technique and we don't chase a finished painting. We bring the materials, set up the space and give a few simple prompts. The rest is already there.
Why we recommend it
Because it is private, the encounter is shaped around who is at the villa: their ages, their energy and what they want to explore. It can also revolve around a theme: a celebration, a family trip or an idea the group brings. It is something the group does together, not a class they sit through. And it leaves something behind: marks, pieces and a few surprised faces.
Each encounter is designed and led by Lau Ormeño, educator since 2007, leading art workshops since 2015, and founder of MATERIA (@somosmateriamx).
Choose the encounter
- Move First, Mark AfterAdultsThe body warms up first, then the hands take over. Charcoal, oil pastel, watercolor and acrylic on large-format fabric or paper. Everyone starts on their own and ends up working on one big piece made by the whole group.From $5,500 MXN · up to 4 people · +$800 per extra person
- TRAMA: Around the TableAdultsA long table, shared materials and pieces that pass from hand to hand. Before or after dinner, the group creates together until the table is full of marks. Pairs perfectly with a private chef and a glass in hand.From $5,500 MXN · up to 4 people · +$800 per extra person
- PULSO: Breath & ArtAdults · On requestBreath is the starting point. Analía guides the breath and Lau guides the marks. The breath doesn't relax you to feel better. It relaxes you so the hand acts before the mind corrects. The rest you discover there.From $8,500 MXN · up to 4 people · +$1,100 per extra person · subject to availability
- Magic AnimalsKids 5+Each child picks a big animal and invents a magic world for it with modeling dough, feathers and beads. To close, all the animals come out in a parade.From $5,500 MXN · up to 4 kids · +$800 per extra child
- Moving MarksKids 5+Draw on a white T-shirt or socks, add a few drops of alcohol and watch the colors spread on their own. Every piece comes out different.From $5,500 MXN · up to 4 kids · +$800 per extra child · T-shirt +$250, socks +$150
- Family PieceFamiliesParents and kids create side by side, then together, on one shared canvas. Each person leaves a mark on the same piece.From $5,500 MXN · up to 4 people · +$800 per extra person · canvas quoted by size
- Family T-shirtsFamiliesMoving Marks for everyone. Each person makes their own T-shirt: same idea, different marks.From $5,500 MXN · up to 4 people · +$800 per extra person · +$250 per T-shirt
Also in Creative Encounters
- Custom Hat Workshop. A long table covered in hats, bands, stones, pins and feathers, and everyone putting their own together. A separate encounter, outside MATERIA’s seven.
How we set it up
Tell us how many people will join, their ages, what kind of encounter you have in mind and whether there is a theme or occasion you'd like to work with. We propose the encounter and confirm the space.
On the day, we arrive 30 minutes early with all the materials, protect the floor and furniture and set up the work area. When we finish, we clean up and leave the space as we found it.
Good to know
- Private sessions of 90 minutes, in English or Spanish
- From 2 people to groups of 15
- Kids' encounters from age 5; family and adult encounters for everyone from 5 up
- No experience needed: each encounter is adapted to whoever is there
- Terrace, garden or covered outdoor area, with shade, and about 2 m² per person. TRAMA and Magic Animals need a long table
- All materials included and chosen for the space (acrylic, watercolor, oil pastel, charcoal, permanent markers, modeling dough, feathers and beads), plus floor and furniture protection. Wear clothes that can get paint on them
- Each person takes home a piece; ready-to-frame canvas, T-shirts and socks on request when booking. Painted pieces need a few hours to dry before they travel
- For kids' encounters, an adult from the group stays at the villa
- Before starting, each participant signs a waiver; for kids, a parent or guardian signs
- Available throughout the Riviera Maya; book at least 3 days in advance
Ideal for
Families on holiday, kids' birthdays, groups of friends, celebrations, retreats and anyone looking for something different to do together at the villa.
Questions we hear often
Yes. There is no technique to learn and no right result. The prompts are simple and physical, so the first mark comes before anyone has time to think about it.
For adults: Move First, Mark After, TRAMA around the table or PULSO. For kids: Magic Animals or Moving Marks, while the adults do something else. For families: Family Piece or Family T-shirts. If you are not sure, tell us who is coming and we will suggest one.
Several encounters work indoors: TRAMA around the table, Magic Animals and PULSO. They are a good plan for a rainy day at the villa.
How many people will join and their ages, any theme or occasion you'd like to celebrate, any skin sensitivity or allergy to paints or markers, and what the space at the villa is like. If you want canvas, T-shirts or socks to take home, tell us when you book so we can bring them.
Wear clothes that can get paint on them and have a shaded spot ready. We bring everything else, protect floors and furniture and clean up before we leave.
From 2 people to groups of 15. For larger groups or events, ask us: MATERIA has led encounters for up to 60 people.
Tell us how many of you there are, their ages and what you'd like from the encounter, and we will propose one.