Gila Rayberg's 2027 Todos Santos Retreat
Expressive Portraits with Hands
A Mixed Materials Mosaic Workshop with Gila Rayberg
Come explore the expressive side of mosaic portraiture with me in a cooperative, fun, and relaxed environment where experimentation is encouraged and your own creative voice leads the way.
Together, we’ll create a portrait using a rich mix of picassiette, smalti, stained glass, ceramic, and found objects. You’re also invited to bring memory-ware dishes or special objects that carry personal meaning and can become part of your piece.
Your Inspiration
You’ll choose your own portrait image in consultation with me. I’ll help you select an image that will translate beautifully into mosaic and advise you on selecting the materials you’ll need.
Because you’ll be bringing most of your tessera and substrate with you, I recommend keeping your piece 16" or smaller on any one side. A 12" × 12" or 12" × 16" piece is ideal.
Creation Process
I’ll demonstrate how to use hand tools to cut and shape a variety of materials, along with my tips and techniques for combining them to create texture, movement, dimension, and interest in your portrait.
You’ll receive individual attention and guidance throughout the workshop as you develop your own unique piece.
You’ll leave with a solid understanding of choosing a subject, preparing a design, understanding value, cutting a variety of materials, setting them using mortar, and much more.
Since everyone works at a different pace, not everyone is expected to finish their portrait during the workshop. I’ll make every effort to help you complete your piece, but if you need more time, we’ll work out an individualized and clear plan for its completion before the end of the workshop.
Bring your curiosity, your favorite materials, and a willingness to experiment. Believe me when I say, I know you’re going to make something expressive, unexpected, and completely your own.
I can’t wait to create with you in Todos Santos!
Please reach out to me by email with questions, images, or ideas as you prepare for the workshop: [email protected]
Retreat Experience & Setting
Todos Retreats offers more than time in the studio. It gives you the chance to slow down, settle into a different rhythm, and spend a week creating alongside people who share your love of art.
Our home for the week is Los Colibris Casitas, a peaceful boutique retreat overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Mornings begin in our open-air studio with the waves crashing just below you. Throughout the day you'll enjoy delicious meals prepared by our two personal chefs, quiet moments to recharge, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow artists.
When you're not creating, there's time to enjoy everything that makes Todos Santos so special. Wander through colorful streets lined with galleries and local shops, take a walk on the beach, relax by the pool, or simply sit with a cup of coffee and watch the birds and ocean from your casita. There is no pressure to fill every moment. You can be as active or as relaxed as you choose.
Located just an hour north of Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos feels like a different world. This historic artist colony has long attracted painters, sculptors, writers, and makers who are drawn to its incredible light, natural beauty, and creative energy. It's a welcoming community that embraces visitors, making it easy to understand why so many artists return year after year.
By the end of the week, most guests leave with more than new artwork. They leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and already thinking about when they can come back.
Retreat Details
Our hosts during this retreat are Tami and Jerry Macala. They have been hosting retreats at Los Colibris Casitas in Todos Santos for more than 10 years.
Retreat Price: $2,995 (double occupancy)
- $1,495 deposit to reserve your spot
- Balance due 90 days before retreat
Partner Plan: $1,595 (includes all activities except the workshop)
Single Room Supplement: $650 (limited availability)
Retreat Limited to: 12 students
What’s Included
- Airport transfers to/from San José del Cabo (SJD)
(Must arrive by 2pm on retreat arrival day and depart 2pm or later for flight on retreat departure day). If you cannot arange travel within that window of time, there are other transfer options available. - 6 nights lodging at Los Colibris Casitas
- Welcome dinner & reception with Chef Iker
- 6 full breakfasts & 5 lunches prepared by Chef Martin
- Refreshing agua fresca throughout the workday
- Evening transportation into town
- Final night cooking class & dinner with Chef Iker
Tentative Itinerary (Subject to change)
The tentative itinerary below offers a preview of the experiences planned for the Todos Santos Retreat. While subject to change, it reflects our commitment to creating an engaging, inspiring, and memorable creative retreat. Each activity has been thoughtfully chosen to enrich your time with us.
Day 1: Arrival; introductions and welcome dinner with Chef Iker
Day 2: Morning beach walk with Todos Retreats Host Tami; workshop; dinner in town
Day 3: Workshop; gallery strolls; shopping in town; dinner in town
Day 4: Workshop; Poolside Grill night
Day 5: Workshop; optional shopping in town; dinner in town
Day 6: Workshop; group photo; cooking class & dinner with Chef Iker
Day 7: Departure (breakfast provided)
- Breakfast daily: 8:00–9:30 AM
- Workshop 9:30 - 1:30
- Lunch daily: 1:30 PM
- Optional studio time after lunch
Free Time & Optional Activities
There will be ample free time to explore Todos Santos and surrounding areas. Popular activities include beach walks, gallery visits, shopping, yoga, massage, and optional excursions through Todos Santos Eco Adventures. Room selection is based on the order of full payment received.
Learn more about the accomodations at Los Colibris Hotel and optional excursions at Todos Santos Eco Adventures and Todos Santos Eco Adventures Facebook.
Registration & Payment
To register or join the waitlist, contact Tami Macala at [email protected]
- Credit cards accepted (+4% processing fee) added to the full price of the retreat
Cancellation Policy
- 90+ days before retreat: Full refund minus $200 processing fee
- Less than 90 days: 50% refundable (deposit non-refundable)
- Less than 45 days: No refunds or credits unless retreat is canceled due to a government travel ban and the workshop is canceled.
All Cooped Up Productions, Inc. (SBSMA) have no obligation regarding any additional costs or fees related to the issuance and/or cancellation of airline tickets or other travel reservations. All Cooped Up Productions, Inc. (SBSMA) accept no liability for any airline cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable ticket or for canceled flights.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Please consider Travel Insurance and Travel Guard and Travel Off Path.
Participants should consider purchasing Trip Cancellation, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Baggage, Accident and Medical insurance from a reputable insurance company.
Participants are responsible for all airline and travel arrangements.
About the Instructor
Gila Rayberg is a contemporary mosaic artist based in Florida, best known for expressive mosaic portraits that capture the individuality and essence of her subjects. Working with broken dinnerware, discarded objects, glass, and other materials, Gila transforms fragments into richly textured works that explore identity, memory, connection, and the beauty of transformation. Her practice also includes abstract mosaics inspired by place, nature, and the intricate relationships between natural and human-made forms.
Gila’s intuitive, experimental approach is informed by her earlier career as a professional musician and educator, where improvisation and collaboration were central to her creative practice. Today, she brings that same spirit of exploration to mosaic, finding unexpected possibilities in materials others might overlook.
Any questions? Please contact Tami Macala
📧 [email protected]