Tapestry Weaving in the Ancient City of Cusco
10-Day Workshop with Master Weaver Maximo Laura
2019 Workshops: Full
2020: April 26 – May 5
This workshop is organized by the studio of Maximo Laura and Paola Laura (Maximo Laura’s daughter) who will be your host and teacher during this event.
ABOUT MAXIMO LAURA
He combines ancient traditions from the Andes with contemporary tapestry weaving, as well as his own textured techniques, to create tapestries that are vibrant in color and in textures.
He has been designated as one of Peru’s “Living Human Treasures”. This important award is given, following UNESCO guidelines, to an artist whose role is to preserve and elevate the culture of their homeland.
Throughout his 35+ years as a tapestry weaver, he has exhibited his work in more than 29 countries, winning many awards in an international and national level.
WILD FIBERS MAGAZINE
Obsessive…Feverish…Intense…Maximo Laura’s distinctive style provides a bold interpretation of Andean Art
HAND/EYE MAGAZINE
Maximo’s work represents a masterful continuity in Peru’s textile traditions. His work is a woven symbiosis of Ancient Andean Textiles, international influences, and something deeply personal. It’s art.
FIBER ARTS MAGAZINE
Complex tapestries intertwine Peruvian tradition and contemporary aesthetic.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
This workshop is designed to adapt to the experience of each participant, as you will have the personal hand of Maximo Laura assisting the group during the workshop, along with three Master Weavers, Jim Laura, Richar Laura and Paola Laura.
It is open for beginners, intermediate and advanced weavers. Although it is not a requirement, we recommend participants to have basic previous experience on a loom, to be able to take more advantage of this workshop.
Maestro Laura and the Master Weavers will be with you throughout all of the workshop.
On the last day of the workshop, we will organize a special exhibition with all the completed pieces, sharing the last day with Maestro Laura and receiving your certificate for completion of the workshop. You will be able to take your piece with you at no additional cost!
During this workshop you will learn:
- Design: The process used by Maestro Laura to design his works, as well the considerations and challenges while designing and making cartoons in tapestry
- Technology: The technology involved in the design part of the process
- Color: How to prepare the colors and the technique to obtain optical effects and blend colors in materials
- Texture: How to use different techniques simultaneously on the weave
During this workshop you will learn 8 base techniques, that with its variations, add up to 12 different techniques:
LEARN TO CREATE WITH FIBERS AND COLORS
WHERE
The workshop will take place in the historical city of Cuzco, Peru, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. We have decided to organize the workshop in Cuzco because it is a fascinating host city to explore, specially if you are a textile lover! Cusco is the archeological capital of South America, with some of the most important ruins of the Inca empire, museums and wonderful places to explore for textiles and folk art.
On the first day, while your teachers are setting up the looms, you will be going on a city tour to get familiarized with Cusco and its wonderful streets, galleries, shops and cafes. We will show you the artisan neighborhood of Cusco and share with you our favorite spots for art, crafts and textiles. During your free evenings thorughout the workshop you can always walk back to your favorite places and explore this fascinating city on your own.
ITINERARY
Day 1 (April 26): Arriving to Cusco
We will pick you up from the Cusco airport and take you to your accommodation in the city of Cusco.
Day 2 (April 27): City tour of Cusco.
We will explore:
- San Blas Neighborhood – The artisan neighborhood of Cusco
- The Cathedral
- The Qoricancha Temple (an imponent Inca temple in the middle of Cusco)
- The Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco
Everything is just a few blocks from our hotel so you can walk back to your favorite places explore some more on your own during the week
Day 3 (April 28): Full Day of Workshop
Day 4 (April 29): Full Day of Workshop
Day 5 (April 30): Full Day of Workshop
Day 6 (May 1): Full Day of Workshop
Day 7 (May 2): Full Day of Workshop
Day 8 (May 3): Full Day of Workshop
Day 9 (May 4): Full Day of Workshop
Finishing and cleaning process of your piece. Exibition of final works at the end of the day.
Day 10 (May 5): Departure. We will take you from your accommodation in Cusco to the airport for your departure.
WORKSHOP DAY SCHEDULE
7:00 am – 8:00 am: Breakfast
8:00 am – 10:00 am: Workshop
10:00 am – 10:30 am: Coffee Break
10:30 am – 12:00 am: Workshop
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Lunch
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Workshop
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm: Coffee Break
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Workshop
PRICE
We have created 3 different plans, designed to be flexible to the desires of each participant:
TAPESTRY WORKSHOP
Price: US$ 1,500
This plan is design for those who would like to choose where to stay. There are people that have been to Cusco before and have their favorite spots, or others who would like to choose their hotel, so in this plan, each participant can coordinate their accommodation and walk to the workshop space in the morning. Cusco is a small city and most of the hotels are in the historical center where everything is within a walkable distance.
THIS PLAN INCLUDES
- Transportation to and from the Cusco airport upon arrival and departure
- City Tour of Cusco with a private, english speaking guide
- A total of 56 hours of weaving time
- The use of a personal vertical loom and cartoon during the workshops
- The yarn required to weave your piece
- The final tapestry woven during the workshop
- Coffee and Tea breaks twice a day
DOES NOT INCLUDE
- International flight
- Accommodation for the time of the workshop
- Flight from Lima-Cusco and Cusco-Lima is not included, but if you would like us to help you coordinate them, let us know and we’ll be happy to assist you at no extra cost
- Personal transportation during your time in Peru
- Meals, Bottled water, snacks and any items not specified in the itinerary (aside from the snacks given during the coffee breaks)
- Additional Insurance of any kind
WORKSHOP + ACCOMMODATION
Price: US$ 1,980
This plan includes your accommodation for 9 nights. The workshop will be organized at the beautiful “Xima Hotel”, located in the historical center of Cusco so since we are organizing the event there, they have given us a special rate that we are happy to transfer it to you as well. We found this option very practical, as you’ll probably want to spend your free time in Cusco exploring the city insetad of walking from other hotels to the workshop.
THIS PLAN INCLUDES
- Transportation to and from the Cusco airport upon arrival and departure
- 9 Nights at the Xima Hotel (shared accommodation)
- 9 buffet breakfasts during your stay at the Xima Hotel
- City Tour of Cusco with a private, english speaking guide
- A total of 56 hours of weaving time
- The use of a personal vertical loom and cartoon during the workshops
- The yarn required to weave your piece
- The final tapestry woven during the workshop
- Coffee and Tea breaks twice a day
DOES NOT INCLUDE
- International flight
- Personal transportation during your time in Peru
- Flight from Lima-Cusco and Cusco-Lima is not included, but if you would like us to help you coordinate them, let us know and we’ll be happy to assist you at no extra cost.
- Meals, Bottled water, snacks and any items not specified in the itinerary (aside from the snacks given during the coffee breaks)
- Additional Insurance of any kind
14 DAY EXPERIENCE: WORKSHOP + ACCOMMODATION + TOUR
April 26 – May 9, 2020
Price: US$ 1,500
This plan includes a total of 14 days and 13 nights. We will pick you at the Cusco airport and take you to the Xima Hotel. On the following day you will be going on the City Tour of Cusco and then have the 7 days of workshop.
After the workshop, you will go on a 4 day adventure to visit Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, the archeological sites of Pisaq, Moray, Ollantaytambo and a day of hands-on natural dyes workshop with the ladies of the town of Chincheros, at the outskirts of Cusco.
You can review the full itinerary here: https://maximolaura.com/cuzco-trip/
Day to Day Itinerary:
Day 1 (April 26): Arrival to Cusco
Day 2 (April 27): City Tour of Cusco
Day 3 (April 28): Full Day of Workshop
Day 4 (April 29): Full Day of Workshop
Day 5 (April 30): Full Day of Workshop
Day 6 (May 1): Full Day of Workshop
Day 7 (May 2): Full Day of Workshop
Day 8 (May 3): Full Day of Workshop
Day 9 (May 4): Full Day of Workshop
Day 10 (May 5): Pisaq Market and Pisaq Archeological Site
Day 11 (May 6):
– Sacred Valley Arqueological Sites
– Train ride to Aguas Calientes
– Overnight at Aguas Calientes
Day 12 (May 7): Visit Machu Picchu and return to Cusco
Day 13 (May 8): Hands-on Natural Dyes Workshop
Day 14 (May 9): Departure
Sign Up:
If you would like to sign up for this workshop, please complete the form below and we’ll be getting in touch via email for the following steps.
If you have any questions, please feel free to complete the form and fill in your questions, we will be happy to assist you. You can also email us directly at info@maximolaura.com
We look forward to meeting you in Cusco!