Paint and Sip: Alebrijes with Alex in Tilcajete

This is Tlayudona’s original alebrije painting experience inside the home and artisan workshop of fourth generation alebrije artist Alex and his family in San Martín Tilcajete, the village where this iconic Oaxacan tradition was born and continues to be preserved by generations of master woodcarvers.

Unlike our Oaxaca City center workshop, this experience takes you directly to the source—into the home and workshop of a fourth-generation alebrije family, where you’ll experience the craft in its original rural context rather than in an urban setting.

You’ll be welcomed by Alex, a master artisan from Tilcajete, who will guide you through the living tradition of alebrije-making—from the carving of copal wood to the intricate hand-painted designs that give each piece its personality and symbolism. As you move through the workshop, you’ll see how raw wood from the hills of Oaxaca is transformed into the colorful figures known around the world.

This is a fully immersive rural Oaxaca cultural experience, ideal for travelers who want to leave the city and spend time where the tradition is actively practiced every day. Instead of a recreated studio environment in the center, you’ll be inside the real workshop where these pieces are made, surrounded by tools, wood, paint, and the rhythm of daily artisan life.

As you paint your own alebrije, you’ll enjoy local café de olla or artisanal mezcal, sharing a relaxed moment with the artisan family. The atmosphere is informal and welcoming, offering space to learn, create, and connect at your own pace. The host family will prepare you a delicious meal with local ingredients, and by the end of the day, you'll feel like you're part of the family!

Throughout the workshop, you’ll also learn the basics of color theory, traditional symbolism, and the storytelling elements behind alebrijes, as Alex shares personal anecdotes from his family’s history in Tilcajete’s carving tradition.

This experience is perfect for travelers who want a deeper cultural journey beyond Oaxaca City—combining hands-on creativity with a direct connection to one of the most important artisan communities in the region.

By visiting Tilcajete directly, this experience offers a deeper rural connection to Oaxaca’s alebrije tradition—rooted in the landscape, family history, and daily life of the artisans themselves, not just the finished artwork.