Textile Intensive Residency

Uncover the stories woven into every thread, master new skills, and create your own textile piece while immersed in the culture of Antigua, Guatemala.

In addition to the creative focus and support offered in our two-week residency, this program is tailored for artists + designers eager to explore the world of textiles. During this intensive, you’ll learn how to set up your loom and create your own textile piece while gaining deep insight into Guatemala's rich textile traditions.

  • Each resident receives a schedule that includes weaving classes, a natural dye experience, and two field trips. On free days, residents create their own daily work schedule depending on their project and work/research methods. We host 1 to 3 artists at the same time and our staff and residents meet weekly for discussions.

    We assist with project development and research as much as possible to create a platform of support, conversation, reflection, and accessibility. That said, all needs and desires are not always possible to access and the primary work does lie in the hands of resident themselves.

    Applicants are encouraged to consider how their work or research will interact with Guatemala and it’s vast history, and to reflect on their role and responsibility as a maker learning and creating in a new country.

  • Includes everything from our Independent Residency:

    • Initial call one month prior to residency 

    • Housing at La Casita with private room, amenities and WIFI

    • Desk and wall space 

    • Breakfast pantry

    • Assistance with research development, local introductions and navigation of the area 

    • Weekly resident meeting to share work, engage in conversation and learn from each other 

    • Opportunity to share your process with the community via artist lecture or workshop 

    • Guatemala City Airport pick-up and transportation upon arrival & departure ~ only for residency dates

    PLUS

    • Visit Museo Ixchel in Guatemala City

    • Explore Chichicastenango, Central America’s largest open-air textile market

    • Participate in a Natural Dyes Workshop led by GRACIA founder Mafer Hernández

    • Enjoy two days of 4 hours of one-on-one Back-strap Weaving instruction and lunch with local weavers (8-10 hours total)

    *Textiles Intensive activities will be scheduled within the same two-week period.

  • 2026 - 2 week textile residency program - $1430 USD.

    50% deposit due upon confirmation of attendance. Final deposit will be due two months before the program.

    Deposits are non-refundable and residency dates are non-transferable.

    We are happy to work with accepted residents on varying payments plans. Contact projects@graciagt.com for more information.

  • Our Textile Intensive Residency is a seasonal offering for May - August of every year.

    JUNE - AUGUST 2026
    Opens: September 2025
    Closes: October 2025

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Weave in Guatemala

Past AIR Experience

  • Emily Zadoretzky

    My residency at GRACIA was an incredible, impactful experience that continues to inspire my creative practice and my life as a whole. I fell in love with Antigua. Every day, I woke up inspired to explore and create. From ancient Maya artifacts and traditional weaving and textile arts to Colonial-era ruins to contemporary cuisine, the city is this incredible blend of history and modernity. I had ample time to both explore the city and delve into studio work and Mafer was an excellent guide and resource. In my practice I explore the utilization of natural materials, dyes and pigments and really enjoyed taking both of Mafer's course offerings in that area. During my residency, I was exploring the materiality of corn/maiz as well as its cultural and political influences within Guatemalan culture and that of my own country, the US. Mafer put me in contact with a local restaurant owner that partners with growers of heirloom corn varieties and we were able to meet over delicious heirloom tortillas and have a very informative and meaningful chat. I am so grateful to Mafer for this experience!

  • Kiara Aileen Machado

    I will forever be grateful for having the opportunity of returning to Guate after so long. Not just returning to my mothers birthplace for leisure but the reason being that it was for an artist residency means so much to me. Seeing a procession in person passing through the callesitas de Antigua is much different than solely hearing stories from my family archived through their memories. Post residency there is so much to reflect on and I am currently working on a new body of work in reflection to my short time in Guatemala.

  • Brooke Adams

    GRACIA was an inspiring time of colors, community, and creating new art forms. Mafer, GRACIA founder and local host, connected me to people and places to help fuel my creative process in Guatemala. I loved wandering Antigua, being inspired by the colors and textures and people. Just as inspiring was the casita with wonderful light and space for creating. I came back from GRACIA ready to create and share my inspiration with others. I would return in a heart beat.

  • Daniela Monzi

    GRACIA is the perfect residency for any and all creative folks. Whether you're a seasoned vet with a degree in art or someone who dabbles on the side, it's truly a magical experience for anyone who does anything creative. Being in Antigua was so inspiring; there are so many colors, textures, lovely people, incredible food and epic landscapes. Thank you so much Mafer, for creating such a wonderful residency!