SPIRIT MASKS WITH THE PALE ROOK
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico
Feb. 20-28, 2026
Throughout history, and around the world, masks have served as symbols of our ability to transform, as conduits to the spirit world, to manifest power and protection, or simply to explore different levels of our own identity. Join The Pale Rook in San Miguel de Allende for a very special Spirit Mask workshop.
Mask making is deeply rooted in the history of Mexico, and has been a significant part of Mesoamerican culture, ritual, entertainment and celebration for thousands of years. During her previous Bellissima trips to Mexico, Johanna has been deeply inspired by the mask making traditions of the country, and this has permeated her doll work and sculpture.
In this workshop you are invited to create your own Spirit Mask. Your mask can be symbolic, representational, ritualistic, or simply entertaining. You can choose to create a mask that represents a specific character, persona, story or concept, expressing hidden aspects of your personality or qualities you admire.
Using methods developed within her own practice, Johanna will guide you forming a solid base to work on, then show you how to build layers of fabric, stitch, drawing and embellishment to bring your project to life.
You are encouraged to bring found objects, fabrics and trimmings from your own collection to incorporate into your work, making your finished project even more personal and special. Your finished mask will not only be beautiful, but lightweight, robust and easy to take home.
Itinerary
Day 1, Friday Feb. 20
Everyone arrives and we will have a reception with botanas and drinks at 7:00 p.m. in the main courtyard.
Day 2, Saturday Feb. 21
Have breakfast before meeting in the studio at 9:30 a.m. Johanna and Kathie will go over the schedule for the week. We will begin to design our sculptures, breaking for a quick walking tour before having lunch nearby. We will return to the studio to continue creating. Class will be over at 5:00 and you will have time to relax before we meet for dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Day 3, Sunday Feb. 22
Breakfast and then it is a full day in the studio as we continue working. Lunch will be provided on site by Chef Ana Elena. Class will be over at 4:30 and then we will meet for dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Day 4, Monday Feb. 23
Breakfast and then into the studio at 9:30. We will break for lunch at Pegaso on our way to our amigo, Hermes’s mojiganga studio where you will create masks. Dinner will be on your own this evening.
Mojiganga Master, Hermes Arroyo
Day 5, Tuesday Feb. 24
Breakfast and then meet in the studio to continue working. Lunch will be provided by Chef Ana Elena. Dinner this evening will be at Los Milagros.
Day 6, Wednesday Feb. 25
Breakfast, then meet in the studio at 9:30 to continue working with Johanna. Lunch will be provided by Chef Ana Elena. Return to the studio and work until 4:30. Dinner will be provided.
Day 7, Thursday Feb. 26
Breakfast and then a full day in the studio with a break for lunch. Free afternoon. Tonight will be a cooking class with Chef Ana Elena at CDLN.
Day 8, Friday Feb. 27
Breakfast and then meet in the studio at 9:00 a.m. We will add our final details to our sculptures, then we will clean up and have our Show “N Tell. The rest of the afternoon is free and lunch is on your own. We will meet in the lobby at 6:30 to walk to our final farewell dinner together at Zumo.
Day 9, Saturday Feb. 28
The trip is over and you are free to leave anytime this day.
This Escape Includes
8 nights at Casa de la Noche
Classes with The Pale Rook - Johanna Flanagan
Class with Hermes Arroyo
Welcome reception and fiesta
All breakfasts, six lunches and 5 dinners (one lunch and one dinner on your own)
Visit to markets
Cooking Demonstration with Chef Ana Elena Martinez
Free time to explore
A farewell dinner
Price: $4500, limited to 12 people based on double occupancy, limited single rooms are available for an additional $700.
A $1,000 non-refundable deposit is due upon registration. The balance is due Dec. 1, 2025.
Price does not include airfare to/from Mexico, alcohol, and travel insurance (mandatory).
Accommodations: Casa de la Noche
CDLN is a boutique bed and breakfast located minutes from the center of SMA. Rooms will be assigned to you and transportation is included and coordinated by CDLN. See the video with a surprise guest at the end!
Airport:(BJX) Del Bajio Airport, Leon/Guanajuato which is 1 hour and 15 minutes from SMA. Or Queretaro (QRO).
We will Provide
Aluminium foil
Fabric glue
Batting
Some fabrics and yarns
Wire
Embroidery Threads
Yarn - twine, cotton, flax, hemp
Artist Supply List
Artist’s Supply List
Hand sewing needles - all purpose mixed sizes
Sewing threads (cotton or polyester)
Brush for glue
A pencil for drawing/ pencil sharpener, eraser
A selection of light weight fabrics (these can be small pieces but make sure that you have a selection to collage with)
Fabric Scissors
Ball headed sewing pins
A pin cushion
A sketchbook (small)
Paper scissors
A roll of mssking tape from the hardware store
You are also welcome to bring any fabrics, trimmings, beads, buttons or embellishments from your own collection to incorporate into your doll
Johanna with some of her sculptures. Picture by Janica Honey
We are so thrilled that Johanna Flanagan of the Pale Rook is teaching another Bellissima Art Escape. She is a Scottish textile artist, doll maker and costume designer, trained in fashion, constructed textiles and historical costumes. Doll making was her first love, and she has been making dolls for as long as she can remember. In the last fourteen years, Johanna has taught in art schools, museums and colleges throughout the UK and Europe, as well as writing and tutoring correspondence courses for the last two years.