Natural Dyeing & Weaving with Olga
Immerse in Antigua's textile traditions with Guatemala's leading natural dyeing artist. Learn to make pigments for painting or dyeing textiles, working with indigo, Maya Blue, and rare dyes from metals and stones. Weave alongside indigenous artisans and beyond the studio, explore this UNESCO World Heritage site's lively arts scene and culinary traditions—all at the base of the majestic Agua Volcano.
- Breakfast, Snacks, Coffee, & Tea
Pricing
- One Guest
- USD $640
- Additional guest(s) (max 4)
- USD $420
Accommodation
- One Guest
- USD $345
- Additional guest(s)
- FREE
Meet the Artist
Olga, a Guatemalan with German and Queqchí heritage, is a textile artist, natural dyeing expert, and cultural preservationist with nearly 40 years of experience working with Indigenous weavers in Guatemala. Her life’s work is dedicated to preserving traditional textile practices while evolving them for contemporary markets, leading her to collaborate across Guatemala, Peru, Mexico, Bolivia, and the Canary Islands. Olga’s woven pieces—crafted on traditional backstrap looms—have earned international acclaim. She is also the author of a book on sustainability that explores local plants and their dyeing properties.
At the core of Olga’s practice is her mastery of natural plant dyes and pigments, particularly indigo, and plants like bananas and tannins. She works closely with indigenous weavers, many of whom craft from their homes, using natural fibers like linen, hemp, cotton, and jute. Olga oversees every step of the process—from foraging local plants for dyes to mordanting fibers to creating color combinations and motifs that reflect Mayan heritage.
Beyond her artistic work, Olga is a committed teacher who mentors artisan cooperatives, particularly around Lake Atitlán. She helps artisans develop new designs, grow their businesses, and access international markets. For Olga, her craft is more than art—it’s a way of life deeply rooted in the connection between nature, culture, and community. She looks forward to welcoming you into her creative world.
At the core of Olga’s practice is her mastery of natural plant dyes and pigments, particularly indigo, and plants like bananas and tannins. She works closely with indigenous weavers, many of whom craft from their homes, using natural fibers like linen, hemp, cotton, and jute. Olga oversees every step of the process—from foraging local plants for dyes to mordanting fibers to creating color combinations and motifs that reflect Mayan heritage.
Beyond her artistic work, Olga is a committed teacher who mentors artisan cooperatives, particularly around Lake Atitlán. She helps artisans develop new designs, grow their businesses, and access international markets. For Olga, her craft is more than art—it’s a way of life deeply rooted in the connection between nature, culture, and community. She looks forward to welcoming you into her creative world.
VAWAA Includes:
- Forage for local dye plants in the Antigua area, understand their botanical families, parts used for dyeing, and learn to select specific plants or fibers for particular uses.
- Create pigments from plant extracts to use as watercolors, tempera, or oil paints to paint on paper, silk, cotton, and linen while exploring how different fibers interact with plant dyes.
- Work with indigo as a vat dye and create the mystical Maya Blue, experimenting with tanning dyes as mordants and observing color changes under sunlight.
- Collaborate with local weavers using your dyed fibers to create a backstrap loom wall hanging, reflecting Mayan heritage, or tailor the time to your specific artistic goals such as clothing design, painting on silk and cotton for art, or use in artistic photography.
- Discuss sustainability, advanced dyeing techniques, and alternative natural sources like metals, stones, clays, and food for unique colors and effects.
- Enjoy instructional lunches at local Guatemalan restaurants, where you can learn about the cuisine and how food waste can be used for natural dyeing.
- Afternoon visits to Antigua to meet Olga’s artist friends, look for color inspiration, and explore local markets to buy food and dye pants for the next day’s project.
- If time permits, visit Olga’s weaving friends in a nearby Indigenous town or learn to make tortillas and chocolate.
Stay at Olga's
Stay in Olga’s cozy guest room adorned with local and international crafts and textiles. The room has a comfortable king-size bed, a private bathroom, wifi, and ample natural light. While breakfast is included, kitchen access is limited, though there's space in the refrigerator for storage if needed. Olga’s living space is located on the ground floor, with stairs at the entrance, making it unsuitable for wheelchair access.
Explore Antigua
Antigua, a beautifully preserved colonial city just 45 kilometers from Guatemala City, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1969. Surrounded by stunning volcanic landscapes, its Spanish Baroque architecture, cobblestone streets, and rich history draw visitors from around the world. The city is a cultural center, bustling with vibrant markets, artisanal workshops, and a lively arts scene, particularly known for its deep connection to Guatemala's textile traditions.
Olga's studio is located just 3 kilometers from Antigua in San Juan del Obispo, a quiet, charming village at the base of the Agua Volcano. This peaceful town offers a glimpse into traditional Guatemalan life and is home to local artisans and international artists. Known for its artisanal chocolate production, local crafts, and easy access via paved roads, this serene village provides a perfect escape from Antigua's busier streets while still immersed in a vibrant, creative community.
Olga's studio is located just 3 kilometers from Antigua in San Juan del Obispo, a quiet, charming village at the base of the Agua Volcano. This peaceful town offers a glimpse into traditional Guatemalan life and is home to local artisans and international artists. Known for its artisanal chocolate production, local crafts, and easy access via paved roads, this serene village provides a perfect escape from Antigua's busier streets while still immersed in a vibrant, creative community.
Additional Details
The best time to visit Antigua is during the dry season (December-April), when the weather is warm and sunny. It’s best to avoid peak hurricane season (August-October), bringing higher chances of storms and rainfall. For fewer crowds and lower prices, May to June is a good shoulder season option.
Children accompanied by a guardian are welcome to participate. Olga's home studio is on the ground floor, but is accessible via steps and not suitable for people on wheelchair. Hikes to forage plants are short, but may be challenging for people who have accessibility issues.
Olga speaks Spanish, English, and a bit of French.
Children accompanied by a guardian are welcome to participate. Olga's home studio is on the ground floor, but is accessible via steps and not suitable for people on wheelchair. Hikes to forage plants are short, but may be challenging for people who have accessibility issues.
Olga speaks Spanish, English, and a bit of French.
Guest Reviews
Amy O., United States
We had a fantastic time learning about natural dyes and backstrap weaving with Olga. She's an expert (literally wrote a book about it) who teaches you the basic principles while also encouraging experimentation and adapting when you don't get the expected results. It was fascinating to gather plants from Olga's yard and the surrounding countryside and turn them into wearable art to take home with Read more
Maya D., United States
I had an absolutely wonderful time with Olga. She is kind, generous and very knowledgeable on everything weaving and textiles. She is extremely helpful and goes out of her way to fulfill any request you may have. I learned a lot about fabrics, natural dyes, Backstrap loom and weaving. Olga introduced me to some master weavers and gave me insight into the process of turning cotton into finished pro Read more
Susan B., United States
Olga is extremely accomplished and knows many people in the world of backstrap weaving and natural dying. She arranged a workshop based on exactly what I had asked for. It would have been fantastic but unfortunately I had to leave because of a family emergency.
