All-School Trip to Oaxaca!

In case you missed it, we are excited to announce that Buxton will be traveling to Oaxaca, Mexico, for this year’s All-School Trip!

This idea first surfaced over the summer, and it quickly became clear that Oaxaca has a unique kind of magic. Both Frank Jackson and Daniele Frazier have strong ties to the region. Daniele has spent part of a year there over the past 18 years creating art, and Frank lived in Oaxaca earlier in his life with his family. In a funny coincidence that felt a bit like fate, our resident arts faculty, who have connections to Casa Colonial, home to the Obracadobra artist residency, also share ties to the Buxton community. Everything seemed to point us in this direction.

While plans are still taking shape, we are exploring possible Trip Groups, excursions, and meaningful language immersion. These may include a visit to Teotitlán del Valle, to learn about traditional weaving, Monte Albán for archaeology and history, and local open-air markets and food workshops that highlight Oaxaca’s rich and unique cuisine. We are also looking into printing making studios tied to social movements, the Rufino Tamayo Museum, photography collections, botanical gardens, and some of the region’s incredibly diverse ecological protections. There is even a possibility of a horticulture or biodiversity group inspired by Oliver Sacks’ Oaxaca Journal and the area’s uniquely rich and distinct biodiversity. And yes, we hope to see the famous Tule tree. We also hope to explore the culture and identity of the muxes, a celebrated third gender within Zapotec culture and history, whose presence and history will offer meaningful insight into gender, culture, political resistance, and community traditions in Oaxaca. Additionally, we are mapping out Spanish language lessons before and during the All-School Trip to cultivate a more immersive experience for all students and faculty.

Oaxaca is one of Mexico’s most vibrant artistic and cultural centers. It has a large concentration of indigenous and artisan culture. It’s a place where art, history, food, and activism all live side by side. Buxton will stay at Casa Colonial, which has supported generations of artists and cultural workers, and it will serve as our home base during the trip.

We will share more as our plans continue to unfold. If you have connections in Oaxaca, insights into the region, or resources that might enrich this trip, we would love to hear from you. The All-School Trip has been a cornerstone of the Buxton ethos, and we are incredibly grateful for the generosity and knowledge these places share with us, as well as the support of our own community that makes these experiences possible.

All photos were generously provided by Daniele Fraizer from her travels to Oaxaca, offering a glimpse into the places we plan to explore.