Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellen Parry, Liz Sears, and Baja Rancho Art.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.After visiting the venue many times over five years for horseback riding weekends, I decided to invite a few art colleagues of mine for a visit. The goal was to see if other art-minded individuals would see the same beauty and potential that kept me coming back. They did; I was encouraged to start bringing groups for art workshops, wine tasting, and relaxation.
I contacted a few specific friends to help get the idea off the ground. Liz Sears is a friend and professional Graphic Designer, and she felt the same way about the ranch. We decided to team up and form Baja Rancho Art, which celebrates the visual arts of painting, ceramics, photography, and printmaking. Several of our most successful workshop instructors are friends of ours, former art teachers who now offer one or two workshops a year in their areas of interest. Others are veteran workshop and college art instructors that we reached out to. We are always on the lookout for workshop leaders who can broaden the scope of our workshop offerings.
Our first year, 2013, we offered three workshops. By 2015 and ’16, the number had grown to 10 events per year. In 2018, I retired from full-time art teaching and now have more time to devote to the business. We’ve expanded our 2019 schedule to include six workshops, and have six on the books for 2020. We plan to keep the annual offerings at that level; the idea is to offer quality instruction, not a mass produced product.
Our most exciting recent news – We were just featured on the KPBS travel show “Crossing South.” The host and producer visited the ranch in February 2018 to film a workshop and kiln firing (we didn’t have a workshop scheduled that fit their filming schedule, so we invited a few friends to help out). The producer enjoyed the experience so much he decided to devote a full 30-minute program to our art workshops. Usually, each show features a variety of different Baja activities. We were thrilled! The show can be seen on the KPBS website, here’s the link – https://video.kpbs.org/
Has it been a smooth road?
The business got off to a very smooth start in 2013, but we were affected by the economic downturn for the first two years or so. Starting an educational/leisure/travel business so soon after the recession of 2007/08 meant groups were small at first. But word of mouth did much of the work for us, and by 2015, we were selling out workshops and that has become the norm as the economy has recovered.
Liz and I also need to act as ambassadors for the border region; many people inquire if it’s safe to cross into Mexico. The media hype about violence and “caravans” is not helpful, but as a life-long and frequent visitor to Baja California, I can share many positive first-hand experiences to ease concerns. Once guests experience the border crossing at Tecate (tiny compared to Tijuana) and the hospitality of the ranch venue, they don’t want to go home!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Baja Rancho Art story. Tell us more about it.
Baja Rancho Art is an art workshop business and studio located at a guest ranch in Baja California, Mexico, just 50 miles south of the Border. The site is located halfway between Tecate and Ensenada, near the wine country of Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico’s premier wine producing region.
The property is a 2,800-acre working horse ranch. Baja Rancho Art has built an art studio in and around the existing 3,000 sq. ft. barn to offer studio art classes in painting, printmaking, ceramics, and digital photography. We specialize in 3-5-day creative workshops led by American and Mexican professional teaching artists and limited to 10 guests. This ensures plenty of one-on-one time with the instructors.
Several features set us apart from similar art workshop businesses:
– We bring our guests across the border at Tecate, still a quaint border town untouched by the hustle of most border regions.
– We provide all transportation in Mexico, so guests don’t need to drive and buy insurance in a foreign country.
– All meals are included in the cost of a workshop, and they are delicious, healthy versions of traditional Mexican fare. Workshop guests don’t need to drive to get meals, which wastes time and disrupts the sense of community.
– All workshops include a visit to two or three wineries in Valle Guadalupe for wine tasting. A typical day trip from San Diego is a costly, all day affair. After a morning of art instruction, we can be in the wine region in 30 minutes, visit only the most interesting locations, and be back in time for happy hour at the ranch.
– Lodging is in cozy cabins with en suite baths, double occupancy. The ranch is off the grid, with some solar power. The dining room is lit by oil lamps and candlelight, making for a beautiful and unique dining experience. Again, this creates a sense of friendship and community.
– The main buildings and cabins at the ranch are located in a canyon with oak and sycamore trees and a seasonal creek. The area is surrounded by acres of rolling hills for hiking, bird watching, and horseback riding.
– All workshops include horseback riding for guests who choose to participate. All levels of rider can be accommodated on calm, sure-footed horses.
– Last but most importantly, we hire some of the best art instructors in Southern California and Northern Baja California. All are active artists, who participate in shows and demonstrations as well as teach. As our reputation has grown, we now have artists inquiring if they can work with us, and we are very proud to be associated with these fine artists.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
While video instruction in the arts may become more common, I believe people will still want to learn from an experienced expert who can provide immediate artistic feedback. Also, as more technology enters our lives, we will seek real experiences which are unique and extraordinary. Baja Rancho Art offers these sorts of experiences; cultural, creative, authentic, safe, and fun.
What were you like growing up? Personality wise, interest wise, etc.
I’d say I was always a creative kid, crafting in stained glass, macrame, tie dye, and sewing. It was the ’70’s and the Hippie culture had a big impact on me, although I was too young to understand political side of things. I was just into being creative and different. It wasn’t until later in life that I began to enjoy the “fine arts” – painting, ceramics, photography, and printmaking.
What’s your favorite memory from childhood?
My mom took the family on a vacation to Mexico City, Acapulco, Taxco, and Guadalajara in 1966, when I was eight years old. I can remember the sights and smells of the open fruit markets, the native Indian women selling pottery on blankets, and running up the steps of the pyramids. I saw insects dipped in chocolate for the first time (and was fascinated but wouldn’t eat one). I believe this trip began my life-long love of Mexico and Latino culture.
Mexico is now a modernized nation, and I’m grateful I was able to see a bit of the older, traditional Mexico that is disappearing rapidly.
What are your plans for the future? What are you looking forward to or planning for – any big changes?
We plan to grow just a bit more, perhaps back up to 10 workshops a year. We are looking for a few more artist/instructors to add other specialty areas in the fine arts. Perhaps a mosaic or mixed media workshop, other styles of pottery (the choices are endless with clay), or drawing classes. We are very happy with our business model, so I don’t see many changes in our overall workshop format. Our guests love the classes and the additional activities we offer at the ranch.
Pricing:
- 4 day, 3-night workshops in most media are priced at $600 per guest, all-inclusive.
- 6 day, 5-night workshops are priced at $975 per guest, all-inclusive.
- Custom workshops and excursions to unique areas of the Baja Peninsula can be designed, cost TBD
Contact Info:
- Website: bajaranchoart.com
- Phone: 619-356-0201
- Instagram: eparry@bajaranchoart.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bajarancho.art
- Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/bajaranchoart/
Image Credit:
Eileen Mandell, Carol Catalano Webb, Christopher Webb, Jeff Yeomans Daria Mariscal, Helen Shafer Garcia, Ellen Parry, Liz Sears
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