Handloom Weaving with Marco Antonio
Learn handloom weaving with master artisan Marco Antonio in Popayán, one of Colombia’s most beautiful cities. Design and weave your own textiles as you ground your learnings in the region’s rich craft heritage. Outside the studio, wander Popayán’s charming streets, learn about Indigenous crafts in nearby villages, and make local drinks and pastries.
- Snacks, Coffee, & Tea
Pricing
- One Guest
- USD $640
- Additional guest(s) (max 4)
- USD $240
Meet the Artist
Marco Antonio is a master artisan, educator, and loom weaving specialist with over 16 years of experience. Raised in a family of artisans, he learned the foundations of weaving from his mother, a skilled embroiderer. Inspired by the colonial streets and textures of his UNESCO-recognized hometown, he is dedicated to preserving and promoting Colombia’s cultural heritage.
His work bridges Indigenous and European weaving traditions, using vertical looms practiced locally for over 500 years and horizontal looms introduced during colonial times. Drawing on architecture, design, and ancestral knowledge, he weaves locally sourced silk, wool, and banana fibers from Bogotá into richly textured textiles. Many are accented with macramé or combined with leather through a close partnership with a local leather enterprise, resulting in bags and functional pieces that merge tradition with contemporary design.
Beyond the studio, Marco mentors new artisans, restores and tunes looms, and helps small manufacturers connect design with craft. He collaborates with Indigenous communities like the Misak, and works with government institutions, NGOs, and universities to strengthen regional weaving practices.
His work is an open invitation to experience how living craft traditions shape identity, community, and creativity.
His work bridges Indigenous and European weaving traditions, using vertical looms practiced locally for over 500 years and horizontal looms introduced during colonial times. Drawing on architecture, design, and ancestral knowledge, he weaves locally sourced silk, wool, and banana fibers from Bogotá into richly textured textiles. Many are accented with macramé or combined with leather through a close partnership with a local leather enterprise, resulting in bags and functional pieces that merge tradition with contemporary design.
Beyond the studio, Marco mentors new artisans, restores and tunes looms, and helps small manufacturers connect design with craft. He collaborates with Indigenous communities like the Misak, and works with government institutions, NGOs, and universities to strengthen regional weaving practices.
His work is an open invitation to experience how living craft traditions shape identity, community, and creativity.
VAWAA Includes:
- Explore the region’s natural fiber production in rural settings and learn to identify both industrial and natural fibers and their uses in traditional textiles.
- Gain basic loom weaving skills like setup, warping, weaving, and finishing using traditional vertical, inkle, and horizontal pedal looms.
- Learn foundational weaving techniques such as taffeta and twill.
- Design and create a handwoven scarf with attention to commercial potential.
- If time allows, explore the city and its cultural landmarks.
- Learn to make and taste regional drinks and pastries.
Explore Popayán
Popayán is a gem in southwestern Colombia, known for its whitewashed architecture, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant traditions. Nestled in the Andes at 5,700 feet, it’s a peaceful, walkable city with a temperate climate and a deep legacy of craftsmanship, cuisine, and Indigenous culture.
Its historic center is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved in Latin America. Cobblestone streets, elegant churches, and colonial mansions reflect its storied past. As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Popayán celebrates culinary traditions shaped by Afro-Colombian, Spanish, and Indigenous influences.
The city is also a spiritual and cultural hub. Its Holy Week processions are world-renowned, and the surrounding region is home to Indigenous communities that have preserved ancestral weaving, music, and rituals. Just beyond the city, you'll find green mountains, volcanic hot springs, and archaeological sites like Tierradentro and San Agustín. The nearby village of Silvia offers a rare look into Misak life, where handwoven textiles and traditional medicine remain central.
For travelers seeking depth, Popayán offers more than beauty. It opens a window into Colombia’s layered history, living traditions, and a slower, more intentional way of life.
Its historic center is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved in Latin America. Cobblestone streets, elegant churches, and colonial mansions reflect its storied past. As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Popayán celebrates culinary traditions shaped by Afro-Colombian, Spanish, and Indigenous influences.
The city is also a spiritual and cultural hub. Its Holy Week processions are world-renowned, and the surrounding region is home to Indigenous communities that have preserved ancestral weaving, music, and rituals. Just beyond the city, you'll find green mountains, volcanic hot springs, and archaeological sites like Tierradentro and San Agustín. The nearby village of Silvia offers a rare look into Misak life, where handwoven textiles and traditional medicine remain central.
For travelers seeking depth, Popayán offers more than beauty. It opens a window into Colombia’s layered history, living traditions, and a slower, more intentional way of life.
Additional Details
Popayán is pleasant to visit year-round, with consistently mild temperatures. While there are no distinct seasons, rainfall and sunshine vary throughout the year.
This session can be extended for up to 9 days. Please add a note in your booking request.
Children 11 years and older accompanied by a guardian are welcome to participate. Due to road connectivity and access to certain areas, special needs and accessibility issues unfortunately cannot be accommodated.
Marco Antonio speaks Spanish and conversational English.
This session can be extended for up to 9 days. Please add a note in your booking request.
Children 11 years and older accompanied by a guardian are welcome to participate. Due to road connectivity and access to certain areas, special needs and accessibility issues unfortunately cannot be accommodated.
Marco Antonio speaks Spanish and conversational English.