MADE Creatives in Residence

I've recently returned from a month-long stay (Sept 2025) as part of MADE's program in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I cannot be effusive enough about my time there! Yesica has created an incredible experience for artists, making her life-long vision and dream come to life, and you can feel the love and dedication to that vision in every single aspect of the program. It was my first ever artist residency program and it was everything I had hoped it would be. Even though it was my first art residency experience, after talking with others who have done half a dozen residencies, I'm so incredibly grateful for my month there with her. It was ~ I learned ~ a unique residency experience because she carefully cultivates relationships with local Mexican artists and artisans and ensures that as a visiting artist, we too get to experience the richness and community of the people and art there. Those connections are what makes it so enriching and special. My two classes that I took were with Mexican artists and artisans and I was learning alongside Mexican students. Having the chance to get to know the community at this level made it an unforgettable experience with connections that will continue well beyond the residency program. I applaud her commitment to weaving our stay there so deeply into the local community, fostering relationships of this kind takes time and dedication and she's done an amazing job. Having been to Mexico several times during my life I knew what to expect as far as comforts and amenities are concerned. Yesica provided a lovely setting where the residents, while having our own rooms, could interact often during our time there. The weekly communal meals were a lovely part of the stay. I've formed friendships that I know will now last a lifetime. Living in a different country, sharing space with others, and navigating a different language and culture can be challenging, it is also a fabulous opportunity to build community, as well as a way to get to know yourself. It's not an experience for just anyone, but as artists it can be a perfect trifecta for enriching ones creative life. If you're looking for a magical and transformative experience where you can focus on your art, connect with other creatives, and be changed forever by the people and culture of Mexico, I highly recommend looking into a stay at MADE.

⚠️🎨 Artist Warning: Avoid “MADE, Creatives in Residency” in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico If you’re looking for an enriching and supportive artist residency in San Miguel de Allende, do not apply to MADE Creatives in Residence. This is not a real residency in any meaningful sense — it’s a poorly managed Airbnb-style rental run by a someone with no involvement in the local art community, who seems more interested in controlling artists than supporting them. The program claims to encourage cultural immersion and creative growth through classes and local engagement. In reality, you’re expected to take a small, handpicked list of classes taught by friends of the organizer, Yesica Guerra, the only person at this program, who becomes hostile if you choose differently. For example, I enrolled in a reputable class at Instituto Allende instead of one of her suggested options, and she was furious — not because I wasn’t engaging with art, but because I wasn’t doing it her way. She demanded to accompany residents to classes to take photos “of your process” for her promotional materials. She was even angry that I didn’t report my daily activities to her — despite the fact that I document them openly on Instagram. She seemed far more interested in inserting herself into our creative work than respecting the autonomy that most artists need to create. Another artist in the cohort, a professional writer, was bullied to attend a paper mache class that she did not want to take (from the list), just to check a box. The residency exists not to support artists but to serve as a vanity project for the organizer, and the level of control that she constantly trying to impress on us was exhausting. The facilities are unacceptable. For a one-month stay, you’re given one towel, one hand towel, and one change of sheets — with no access to cleaning supplies. Rooms are not clean upon arrival, yet residents are expected to maintain them. I upgraded to an apartment space and paid a large premium. When I requested a broom, she lent me one from her personal supply and later took it back. The on-site laundry exists but is off-limits to residents. Handwashing is strictly forbidden. You’re expected to lug your laundry down a steep 0.75-mile hill — for a 19 minute walk, especially while adjusting to the altitude.. She cuts corners at every opportunity: • No room cleaning. • Clean linens provided once for 30 days. • Promised weekly communal dinners vanish if fewer than three people are present. • Rooms are dirty and poorly sealed, letting in mosquitoes, humidity, and cold. (1/4-1/2 inch space around my front door that I could see the outside). • Basic things like heating or hot water aren’t reliably available. When the hot water ran out after four cold days, we were told to wait until “Señor ——” could come sometime next week — because apparently planning for weather is too much to expect from management. The level of control is invasive and inappropriate, the one open area to sit is monitored by cameras with lights that go on when it is too dark to film. • She enters your room to turn off lights and shut doors when you are not there. • She monitors your filtered water consumption if you are using more than what “others” have drunk. • She questions whether you “need” things like fans, heat, or basic comfort. • When a hurricane hit and temperatures dropped dramatically, we were denied heat. Instead, I was told to use a dusty, hair-covered blanket. Worst of all, Guerra, who owns and manages the property is hostile, petty, and completely unhelpful. Any question or concern is met with defensiveness or outright blame. She has no ties to the local arts community and offers no meaningful support or networking. In the end, I spent a month unable to create onsite, as a hostile environment is the opposite of what is needed to be creative.

I attended the MADE Creatives in Residence in spring 2024 and had such a great time that I extended my stay (with permission of the host and organizer Yesica). The experience was a positive reset on life, and a reminder of joie de vivre in the every day. The rhythm and pace of life in San Miguel de Allende is different, and it reminds you too, that there are many ways to live. Small daily interactions on the streets and with classmates in art classes reverberated with a warmth that reminded you how relationships with people are important. It was a notable contrast to the everyday hustle in the US. SMA is a special place not just in comparison to the US, but is known as being part of the “cultural heart” of Mexico itself, so it attracts many people from all over. I felt Yesica went out of her way to help me and the other residents connect with the uniqueness of the town, the many cultural traditions and celebrations during the spring season, and the local art institutions. I took painting, printmaking and cartonería courses and the classes were a mix of locals, seasonal visitors, long-term expats, and shorter term visitors like myself. The instructors brought so much knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to their craft, I could understand why some students were long-term repeats. The historic buildings where I took art courses were stunning and an incentive to go to class. I also spent time working at the residency and enjoyed the quietness at times and the dynamic of running into cohort colleagues who were going to/from classes. Sometimes we would hang out on the upper patio and chat and occasionally enjoy the evening air and stars, or join each other on walks or outings. I liked living in a neighborhood and felt safe on my own. My cohort included people from different parts of the US, Caribbean/US, South America and Europe. Yesica organized weekly dinners for the group, prepared by an amazing local cook who brings love to her food and you. During dinners we would share our weeks, what we learned, and also talk about upcoming events or outings that might be of interest to us. Yesica was very organized and knowledgeable about what was going on, and even gave recommendations and organizational support for day trips or weekend trips to nearby places. She was very flexible and open to us, knowing that we each had various interests and focuses while at the residency. I felt inspired by the work of other artists in my cohort, and what I saw in town, as there are many museums and galleries. It is a vibrant scene. The cumulative experience made me feel energized in my own work.

I found MADE to be well-maintained, clean and a lot of care into the space. It is not an airbnb or a hotel, so you do take care of your own space, but the sheets, etc, are changed mid- month. It is like many artist residencies where you are responsible for cleaning up after yourself and if you need to borrow a broom, it is easy to ask. 

As someone who has spent time working and living abroad, this was a great place to stay and a memorable and positive experience. It is important to be open to other ways of living, and to be mindful of resources in a finite world. The popularity of SMA and a warming planet has resulted in water concerns for the mountain town - I saw two fliers for public talk/presentations about while I was there (organized by long-term US expats). Caring for the place that you visit is important whenever you go; you are a guest given the gift of time to be in special place. 
 Towards the end of my stay, I came across a painted bench outside of an elementary school that read, “Lo esencial es invisible a los ojos, solo se puede ver con el corazón”. (The essential is invisible to the eyes, it can only be seen with the heart). It was a positive message to share with young children, but felt it was a reminder to adults too, to see with your heart. I highly recommend the MADE Creatives in Residence as a recharge for the heart and spirit, led by the big hearted Yesica who brings people together and instills the values of community and care for the residents and the community at large.

I am a 71 year old woman who was traveling alone to MADE for the month of January, 2025, in one of the apartments. When I found out I was going to be the only resident there, alone in the house by myself and in a strange neighborhood and city I almost cancelled. I am so glad that I didn’t. My month in SMA at MADE was one of the most magical and transformative experiences of my life. I felt so safe and comfortable that I freely explored the city and immersed myself in the neighborhood and my art. I created 4 beautiful works of art while there. Artist in Residencies are not luxury Airbnb’s. You are not paying for that. Having been to residencies in Mexico and Europe I can tell you that most of these residencies are very old buildings without a lot of modern amenities. Rooms are cold and drafty. Plumbing can be sketchy and most operate without heat or air conditioning. If your read the profiles of many of the Airbnb properties in SMA they advise you that they don’t have heat or AC and if you can’t handle it don’t stay there. I loved everything about my stay at MADE and found Yesica to be an incredibly thoughtful host who was very generous with her time and her desire to show you the heartbeat of SMA. I understand that experiences vary, and while mine was very positive, others may have different perspectives. Personally, I have made a life long friend with Yesica Guerra after my stay at MADE and I will be returning soon.