Artist Residency Reviews

I lost an important interview with Sandra, I think that if it wasn’t for that I would have had a better approach to the pieces I worked in.

The staff is amazing, everyone is very heart welcoming and they are very willing to help develop our projects.

Great space to meet other artists and explore Mexico City's cultural spaces. The hosts are so helpful and the space is magical and beautiful. Housing is really comfy and has lots of communal space to hang out at Casa Lü Parque, close to everything from metro to restaurants. There are some great moments for critique with local artists and cultural writers which helps any emerging artist form greater conceptual development of their work. The time goes by quickly even though the residency is 26 days for the shortest one, it is a good challenge for any visual artist to develop work. The other residents were very nice and there was a lot of opportunity to rest as well as work in communal space.

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.

The director of NARS, Junho, is verbally abusive to his staff and to artists. He micromanages all aspects of the residency and the gallery. Artists are told to ask permission before making even a single hole in their studio walls. Staff were rarely able to answer any questions I had as a resident without first checking with Junho. I have kept in touch with some of the wonderful people I met through NARS, and many have shocking horror stories about how they were treated by Junho. The studios are very noisy and poorly maintained, there is no common space for artists to gather, and very little resources offered to artists. (There are no basic tools available, and artists were asked to purchase their own paint to repaint studio walls before they left, for instance.)

The residency would be better with a longer stay, as mine only lasted two weeks, making it a bit hard to justify. The people there were nice and willing to help. However, I was too ambitious in wanting to work with traditional wood joint techniques, which proved quite difficult given my limited duration and the unfamiliar equipment. I think it was more design-oriented. Overall, I believe the residency provided me with many interesting and memorable influences for my art practice. I do wish I could have stayed a bit longer and not during the summer! :D

The staff is awesome and very resourceful. The residency is well organized and communication is exceptional. I have already recommended the residency to other artists and am very satisfied with my time at Casa Lü. I wish there had been more artists studio visits and maybe a list of workshops artists can take of different techniques in various mediums.

Decent studio space, beautiful green surroundings, possibility to exchange with other artists in residence, interesting program of outings and gallery/museum visits for research, very helpful and reactive Staff, curator's visits in the studio.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to participate in this program, and I took away valuable experiences that helped me grow artistically and personally. At the same time, I felt like people were oversimplified and our complexities were not really honored—which is so important in an artist space. Too often we weren’t truly listened to, and that led to misunderstandings and limited our processes. I also noticed that Trina at times spoke poorly about other artists in ways that simplified or reduced them, which contributed to this dynamic of not honoring people fully. In my case, I shared vulnerably that I never felt at home in the U.S. and had taken a leap of faith to leave, yet later an image was edited to put a U.S. flag on my body without my consent. When I expressed discomfort and asked for it to be removed, my messages were ignored. I also shared that I am extremely allergic to cats and was assured they would not be in the space. When they were present near my house, instead of my allergy being taken seriously, I was told to “just hiss at them,” and my needs were reframed as a nervous system issue. Since exposure can cause anaphylaxis for me, this left me feeling unsafe and dismissed. On a practical level, I also found the program unreliable at times. We were told we would have certain support—such as someone to translate or scheduled activities—and then these would simply not happen, with no explanation. This made it harder to plan and fully engage in the work. Overall, I value what I gained, but I believe the program needs to grow by truly listening to participants, honoring their full complexity, respecting their identities, taking health and safety concerns seriously, and providing reliable support.

In my experience, it really depends on who is in your monthly cohort. There were a few strong personalities, and there was also some conflict between staff members who had personal relationships with certain residents. The whole space has a very open-minded, hippie-like vibe. I understand that the residency requires a lot of work to keep things running smoothly, but I think the staff could be more professional when it comes to balancing their personal lives with the work environment. That said, I truly love the natural surroundings at Artesumapaz. Most of the people there are friendly and kind. It’s a wonderful place to get away, spend time alone, and focus on yourself and your practice.

Not as advertised. Residencies are 2 months but artists choose 2 months within a 3 month time period, which means some artists will already be living and established at the residency for a month before other artists arrive. My experience and many others that I talked to at this residency was a negative one, it felt like being back at school, at an all girls school where there was cliques and you were not included if you were not in the clique. A group of artists that arrived at the same time stuck together and did nothing to welcome the new artists that arrived, completely ignored them. They loudly took up the social spaces in the house and made it uncomfortable for others to join. Even if you walked into the kitchen in the morning, no one would welcome you. As for the accommodation and working space itself, the house is dark and only one room has the terrace to sit out on, which is the room advertised on the website, most of the private rooms are small and not lit well. The beds are single camp beds pushed together to make a double bed and they aren't even the same size as each other so you can't sleep comfortably, it is a joke for the price you pay. The bathrooms, sinks and showers are open, you can hear everything. The sinks are in a communal room, you cannot even brush your teeth in peace. There was pressure from the clique group to make communal meals, if one did not want to participate and cook their own food, which they paid for, it was looked down on, with others even asking to have some. The 'basic food' the residency provides is vegetables and spinach pasta, that's it. The surrounding nature is nice but it is not worth the mental load and outcastness you will feel. It all depends on who is with you on the residency of course my group may have been unlucky, but it seems like this cliquey energy is constant. In terms of staff support, there really isn't much, one girl seems to run most of it and does the group sessions I think it was once a week but it was up to each individual how much they contributed and most people didn't seem to want to talk about their work, which was also odd. The 'staff' are nice but they are mostly just people who come and go to the residency, there is no on site help or support 24hrs. There are two previous artists who come to stay in the house as coordinators but they are really just artists doing their own work too. In terms of studio space there are 3 areas you can choose, but again it depends who has already set up in the space, one girl moved out of the studio after new people moved in. There isn't much to say about them, they are just rooms with desks. In terms of closeness to the city, it advertises that it is 40 mins to Barcelona by bus. This bus is a locals bus and it only comes about every 4 hours, if even. The residency bus stop is also not an official bus stop so you have to ask the bus driver to stop there, which is very daunting especially if you do not speak Catalan. The bus stops at the very edge of the city so it ends up being a lot longer than 40 mins, but you also have to be very aware of the bus times for that certain day to make sure you are also able to get back. I think this residency is for a very specific type of person and the residency could do more to advertise that, it is really for nomadic creatives who don't care much about social connection but want to be in communal living. It is absolutely not the best for professional artists looking for a safe space to create and network.

⚠️🎨 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.

AQB has a great community of local residents; I very much enjoyed my time there and the people I met. However, given the residency fee, the support and care from the faculty was not the best. I’ve participated in several residencies where no payment was required, yet they offered significantly higher levels of professionalism and artist support. In comparison, this experience was unfortunately quite disappointing.

I think back fondly on my residency at A Studio in the Woods despite the unsettled stories that live in that land. Between my workspace and my bedroom, I was comfortable and inspired to work. The land itself was perfect for contemplating my own practice, which draws from ancestral memory. The soil and the trees at ASITW have plenty to say to those who listen. I foraged banana leaves for the project I was working on and for my personal reserves. It's a pleasure to be given a small building to make an art mess in. My studio was well lit with a beautiful view and just about all the features worked. The staff was organized with regard to payments, reimbursements, scheduling, logistics. It makes all the difference. Three years later I still receive friendly correspondence from the ASITW team. With New Orleans as the hands this program is held in, it can be immensely enriching. The city is home to countless artists, legends and storytellers worth knowing.

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.

This is a persistent spam.

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.

Overview: Dates of Residency: March 2025. I applied online after a friend attended (September 2024), a community colleague (March 2024), and life changes occurred (death and unemployment). Application Process: The application process was straightforward to follow. Provided my interest in attending the program and my intention. I received a call soon after submitting from Yesica, founder/creative director. I explained where I was in my life and what I had accomplished over the years as a creative. I explained that I had heard of San Miguel de Allende (SMA) and her facilitation and process, with everyone having positive experiences. We discussed photography and printmaking classes, given the access I would have after completing the residency to continue my practice. Time of year: When we spoke, we discussed the availability and the best time to attend and enjoy the city's culture and events. I was given time to decide when it was best to participate after being informed about what the program could offer. I responded within a month that I would be attending in March. I have neurodivergent tendencies, and after submitting my deposit, Yesica reached out and encouraged me to submit paperwork in a timely manner. Unfortunately, in January 2025, some programs were temporarily closed, and the photography workshop I had planned to take would be unavailable while I was there. I was informed quickly, and I pivoted to taking a class at El Sindicato, a cultural center that employs local artists and is a pillar of the community. Discipline: Photography & Drawing. Overall Impression/Rating: 5 stars - I highly recommend. Facilities and Resources: Studio space: I chose a single room. The room was ample and allowed for privacy when needed. Ventilation was excellent, as to be expected of city living, but even better because you are in SMA. The space was clean, there was cleaning schedule discussed prior to attending and if you wanted to clean outside of that schedule supplies were offered. There was plenty of natural light. If you know Mexican homes in that region, you are aware that they often have a central area of natural light, which is incredible! The residents had access to both the downstairs and upstairs outdoor areas. Upon the recommendation and assistance of Yesica, we placed a long table on the first floor, allowing us to work on projects outside of workshop times with daylight. At any given moment, it could be one artist working alone or a group of us sharing our experiences. Accommodations: I was informed of all that would be provided in a thorough contract, and a week before arriving, the cohort was introduced and connected via a group thread. Three days before the residency began, I received another message via the group thread, informing me of the internet access, the closest place for groceries, and small businesses near the residency. Yesica provided us with the name of a laundry facility that others had used and been satisfied with. When I spoke with Yesica the first time, she informed me about the hill near the residency and the distance to the laundry facility. It was incredible to walk to and from town. I felt safe, and Yesica provided the cohort with an extensive list of restaurants, coffee shops, art stores, leisure activities, and entertainment options. There is a great deal to do in SMA. Yesica also provided the name of a taxi service in case it was needed. Taxis were accessible, along with Uber. Responsiveness: Yesica responded promptly to any questions or concerns – I rarely had any, thanks to the information provided upon arrival. Workshops/ Program Structure and Support: Printmaking: My instructor was fantastic. I learned linocut (completed three prints), Tetra-Pak printmaking (two prints), and Collography (one print). The instructor was accessible and very thorough. She spoke about her life growing up in Mexico and her learning process. I was able to see her work, and she shared insights about the region of Mexico where she grew up and how it influenced some of her pieces and her teaching with local students. The class was 2-3 people. Mexican Cartoneria: My instructor was incredibly joyful and knowledgeable. Not only was I taught how to do the sculpting, but I was also able to learn the history of the art form. The classes included locals and another resident. The space was filled with the cultural richness and vibrancy of the community. I created a meaningful piece that resonated with me culturally and reflected who I am becoming. Honors my past, respects my present, and provides me with the hope for my future. The instructor was accessible outside of class hours and was able to provide direction when I worked on my project at the residency. Yesica also assisted with the process, and I was able to get input from my cohort – we provided each other feedback throughout our stay. Library/Research Resources: Yesica provided several books throughout my time there, and we discussed others that intersect with creativity and wellness, which fall within my specialty. Community/Peer Interaction: While there, Yesica offered information about local events and the connection with traditions in the area. The city's culture is evident in our visits to the People's Market, Fabrica Aurora, and Atotonilco (home to the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, a UNESCO World Heritage site), as well as our encouragement to explore places like the Toy Museum, Bellas Artes, the Saturday Organic Market, and the Mercado de Artesanias. I only know all of this because Yesica provided the information. Conclusion: I am providing a thorough response because my experience was terrific, and if you are open to being culturally immersed in search of some connection or inspiration, then this may be a good fit for you. I felt safe, cared for, and appreciated for where I was in my journey at the time of arrival, while being mentored and nudged to step outside my comfort zone, which I enjoyed and expected in such a space. I met with other artists who are friends of friends, and I spoke to them about the program, the space, and the direction I was being given. They were all very impressed. I have also discussed the program with others in my artist circle and have referred several to attend. My father-in-law is an artist who used to take students to SMA, and he also stated that he was impressed with my experience. I have and will continue to recommend this program because it was an invaluable experience with a beautiful cohort brought together with intention by Yesica.

First of all, the SPA International Residency is a three-month, collective-based program, meaning applicants must apply as a group and live together for three months at the residency space. For artists who usually go solo, this requirement might seem like a high barrier. The good news is that the institution welcomes both pre-existing and newly formed collectives. So, if you're open to collective practices or have been longing for the time and space to explore one, this residency could be an ideal opportunity. And that was exactly what I did. Together with three other artist friends, we formed a new collective to apply for the program and were fortunate to be selected. The experience, in every aspect, was very satisfying and rewarding. Since it's a new residency program (our round was the inaugural one), everything is freshly renovated. Each resident is provided with a compact IKEA-style suite, including a bedroom, a studio space, and a private bathroom. There's also a fully equipped shared kitchen and living area. A note is that the residency "studios" resemble offices more than traditional artist studios. There are strict guidelines requiring spaces to be kept tidy and returned to their original condition. As a result, the environment is better suited to "clean" practices—such as image-based or concept-driven work—rather than messy or material-heavy processes. Another note is that unfortunately there are no fabrication facilities available at the residency, so there is no wooden or metal workshop, etc. We had an open studio session in the middle of our stay, hosted over 100 visitors throughout the day, and received lots of positive feedback. The residency also resulted in a final exhibition, the information of which could be easily found on the SPA website. Overall, I can say I highly recommend this residency program.

MADE is a creative refuge for anyone who wants to explore their craft and enrich their perspective. The house represents Mexico's history so beautifully, inviting the cohort to co-create while also providing everyone with their own safe space. MADE's team is caring and supportive, guiding residents from beginning to end. My only recommendation for anyone who feels called to apply (especially if you've never been to SMA) is to be genuinely interested in immersing yourself in a wonderful and rich culture. It's a perfect opportunity to question and transform your voice within your work by engaging with SMA's people, gastronomy, history, and art.