Vacation With An Artist (VAWAA)

What happens when you trade unstructured travel for a week of hands-on creativity? VAWAA guest and designer Anthony did just that in Zacualpan de Amilpas, Mexico,?learning the art of stone carving with master sculptor Julio.?Between dusty hands, unexpected lessons, and a deeper connection to the creative process, his experience became more than just making art—it was a shift in perspective. He shares his story in this blog. https://lnkd.in/eQKeAaWi

Honoring Sang Made – With heavy hearts, we share that VAWAA artist Sang Made Erras Taman (1989-2025), a revered batik master from Yogyakarta, Indonesia, has passed away. His artistry was a bridge between tradition and innovation—rooted in centuries-old Javanese batik techniques yet infused with his own poetic, contemporary touch. As the royal batik maker for the Kingdom of Indonesia, his hands crafted exquisite textiles that carried history, meaning, and soul. Beyond his mastery, Sang Made was a generous teacher, sharing his deep knowledge with those eager to learn, ensuring the survival of this intricate craft. His absence leaves a profound void, not only in the batik world but in the lives of the artisans he mentored across villages. His passing is a sobering reminder that our masters won’t be here forever. It reinforces the urgency of preserving their knowledge so future generations can continue these traditions. This is at the heart of our mission at VAWAA—connecting people with master artists while we still can, so their skills, stories, and legacies live on. We are grateful for the time we had with him and the legacy he leaves behind. May his spirit live on through the patterns, colors, and stories woven into every piece he created. Rest in peace and love, Mas Eras. Your art will never fade. ?? There's a video link in comments for a little bit of Sang Made wisdom and inspiration. Worth listening to.

For Georgian ceramic artist?Nato, working with clay is more than a craft—it’s a way of preserving history while shaping something entirely new. Inspired by medieval Georgian architecture and nearly forgotten glazing techniques, Nato is reviving and redefining her country’s ceramic traditions. Through years of research and experimentation, she’s bringing ancient craftsmanship into a modern context, ensuring it continues to evolve rather than fade away. Now, through?VAWAA, you can step into her studio, learn directly from her, and experience this rich tradition firsthand. Read Nato’s story and see how craft can be a bridge between past and future: https://lnkd.in/gaudPvZf #GeorgianCeramics #CulturalHeritage #CraftRevival #VAWAA #Handmade #Ceramics #Apprenticeship

It’s been a while since we shared here—hope you’ve been keeping up with our weekly email newsletters, where we announce new opportunities for mini-apprenticeships with master artists worldwide. Recently, we explored the artistry of?Japanese Orin bowls—a craft that goes beyond sound. Hand-hammered by artisans using time-honored techniques, these singing bowls carry centuries of tradition, used in meditation, rituals, and daily life. What can we learn from this craft? That mastery comes from deep focus, tradition evolves through dedicated hands, and mindfulness is woven into the making itself. For those eager to experience this firsthand,?join master metalsmith Yoshinori—one of the last 10 remaining masters of this craft—on a VAWAA in Japan. Learn traditional techniques in his studio, crafting your own Orin bowl while immersing yourself in a world where metal, sound, and spirit converge. Read more about the artistry behind Orin bowls and how you can make one yourself:?https://lnkd.in/eVZswnYE

Besides Guest Experience Manager, we're also #hiring a Design Curator / Partnerships Associate and a Copywriter/ Social Video Creator. Learn more and apply here: https://vawaa.breezy.hr/

Learning a new art form during your family vacation? Why not! ???? I've built a career on helping people learn from each other, and that's exactly how I live my life, both on and off work. My husband's favorite anecdote about me (apart from the time I brought recipe books to a 5-day fasting retreat) is the time we vacationed in Jamaica and I helped the small B&B redo their website between aki snacks. Can't take the entrepreneur out of the girl! I just returned from a refreshing 3-week vacation. It feels SO GOOD! We spent two weeks in and around Mexico City and instead of just visiting the typical attractions (though the Papalote Museo del Ni?o and Parque Zoologico de Chapultepec are wonderful), we made time for family learning experiences. ?? Using Airbnb Experiences, we learned to decorate our own alebrijes (like the magical animals in the movie Coco!) and made churros with people from around the world. ?? I discovered the amazing Vacation With An Artist (VAWAA) created by Geetika Agrawal. My family and I went to gorgeous Valle de Bravo for a 3-day workshop on clay, natural dyes, and fiber with artist Majo Herseg. We had such a great time getting our hands dirty of course, but also sharing a meal with her community, swimming in the lake and playing with the dogs. :) Learning as a family while traveling is such a wonderful way to create deep connections and lasting memories! What are the ways you learn and connect as a family during the Summer vacations? #FamilyLearning #TravelExperiences #Community #Belonging #KnowledgeSharing #Braindate #CreativeTravel #MexicoCity #FamilyVacation #VAWAA #AirbnbExperiences

Our founder Geetika Agrawal recently had the honor of joining Christine Winebrenner Irick on the Soul of Travel Podcast! She talks about why arts and creative inspiration is the medicine we'll all need over the next 10 years to feel alive and our best selves! Let us know your biggest takeaways. We'd love to hear! https://lnkd.in/eaK7-QBd