Holiday Art Walk, Big Milestones, and Giving the Gift of Incredible Experiences This Holiday Season
We’re kicking off the season with something truly special. The First Saturday Holiday Art Walk is happening December 6, from 5 to 7 pm at Fábrica La Aurora, and we couldn’t be more excited. This is one of our favorite nights of the year — the studios come alive, new art fills the halls, the wine and mezcal start flowing, and San Miguel does what San Miguel does best: gather, celebrate, and shine a big bright spotlight on creativity.
We’ll be unveiling brand-new pieces at the Van Doren studio gallery, and everyone is invited to stop by, say hello, take in the art, and enter our monthly charity raffle for a chance to win a free workshop session. It’s our way of giving back, stirring up inspiration, and keeping the good energy moving all year long.
San Miguel de Allende December
Why Metal Art Workshops Make Amazing Holiday Gifts
Let’s talk gift giving for a second. Yes, socks are practical. Yes, blenders and vacuum cleaners have their place in the universe. But if you’re aiming to give someone something unforgettable — something they’ll actually talk about next year — then the Van Doren Metal Art Workshop is exactly the kind of gift that hits the mark.
We offer one-day and two-day gift certificates, perfect for anyone: men, women, friends, family members, significant others, and especially those who claim they’re “not creative,” which usually means they’re about to surprise themselves. Over 95 percent of the people who walk into our workshop are total beginners. Many have never done any kind of art before. Yet everyone walks out with a piece of metal art they love and the glow of someone who just unlocked a new part of themselves.
Our gift certificates never expire, and because we host sessions every week, recipients can use them whenever inspiration (or their schedule) allows. It’s a gift of creativity, adventure, and memory-making — a whole lot more exciting than another holiday sweater.
Celebrating 340 Sessions and 3,000 Makers (And Counting)
This season also marks a huge milestone for us: we just completed our 340th workshop session, with our 350th right around the corner. More than 3,000 people have come through our doors, picked up a hammer, and created art with their own hands.
Every time someone finishes a sculpture — especially someone who walked in saying, “I can’t even draw a stick figure” — it’s a reminder of why we love what we do. The sparks fly, the creativity flows, and people discover what they’re capable of. It never gets old.
Our Charity Program: Creativity Into Infinity and Beyond
One of the greatest joys of our workshop is our ongoing charity initiative for kids from the campos and colonias. These young artists come through our workshop for free, gaining vocational skills, creative confidence, and inspiration that can reshape their futures.
And we’re not slowing down. This program continues indefinitely — into infinity and beyond — and every single adult registration sponsors a child to attend a session. When you create art with us, you help a kid discover the magic of making something with their own hands. It’s a beautiful cycle of generosity and creativity that grows year after year.
Why San Miguel de Allende Is Pure Magic This Time of Year
Finally, we just have to say it: there’s no place like San Miguel de Allende during the holidays. The lights drape across the streets, the plazas glow, the cultural events fill every corner, and the whole city feels like a living celebration. It’s impossible not to be inspired. We’re grateful every single day to create, teach, and live in this magical community.
If you’re around town this season, come raise a glass with us at the art walk, make some sparks fly in the workshop, or give someone the gift of a creative adventure they’ll never forget.
