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Art of the story
el arte de contar historias
Building self confidence and unlocking potential, creating new experiences and possibilities.
Art of the Story is centered on the process of you—how you act, choose, express, and engage. It starts from the idea that there isn’t just one way to do that. Creativity is one part of it, alongside play, movement, color, and the willingness to try something.
At its core, Art of the Story is about opening that field—where different ways of thinking, responding, and expressing can exist at the same time. It’s not about arriving at an answer or shaping a result, but about making room for what else is there, and what else might be possible.
It comes to life through four elements: Chispa, for children, centered on arts and crafts, music, and movement; Vivos y Muertos, for children and families, honoring culture, tradition, and expression; Voices, an adult theater experience featuring curated original work ; and Spark, an immersive, participatory experience for adults with space to explore, experiment, and create.
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At Art of The Story we believe that self-confidence, empathy and courage are critical to building the foundation of a fulfilled life. Our goal is to create opportunities for young people to realize and achieve their potential, and embrace who they are — no easy task in a world which often rewards conformity and discourages vulnerability. We believe that through the act of creative expression we can discover and practice being ourselves, unapologetically and wholeheartedly. We especially value is learning to accept and embrace ourselves and to value others as they are.
Using the process of “Art”, we create a powerful tool for building community, fostering understanding and curating experiences where all have the opportunity to feel seen, valued and heard. Our programs are not just about exploration and expression, they are about transformation. They are about exercising the courage to be who you are, the confidence to take up space and the empathy to honor and celebrate the uniqueness of others.
We are cultivating a way of life — one rooted in authenticity, connection, regardless of age and circumstance. Together we are working to help build a belief that the art of being is the greatest masterpiece of all.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to discover and explore their own potential, their dream, their voice. Our goal is to help make this possible.
Your donation is critical to making a difference. Thank you for your support.
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DONATE
We can’t do this without your help… please consider making your donation HERE
. Your donation helps to provide supplies, materials, venue rental, and logistic expenses such as transportation to move event supplies and local labor to help load, unload, and install tables, stages, whatever is needed. Your donation also helps to provide modest stipends to the brilliant local faculty who make these experiences possible.
El Arte de Contar Historias, A.C.
Art of the Story is a 501(c)(3) and donations are tax deductible.
VOLUNTEER
We are a volunteer-driven organization and welcome new volunteers near and far. Sign up HERE.
SPREAD THE WORD
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learn about our programs
CHISPA
Chispa is where stars collide, where ideas show up and where magic is made. This three-day hands-on experience for children is centered around creativity, play, and discovery. Kids can drop into a buffet of activities including arts, crafts, music, and movement guided and led by peers and adult leaders in a welcoming and fun environment. CHISPA experiences are approachable, and designed to encourage children try new things, create whatever their imagination leads them to, move, explore, and simply enjoy the process of being themselves. More than anything, Chispa is about giving children space to be curious, connect with others, and discover and show off what excites them—one chispa at a time.
SAVE THE DATES
Tuesday, August 18–Thursday, August 20, 2026
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m
Casa de la Cultura, Mesones 71
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
FREE. Spanish and English.
A big THANK YOU! to Abrazos San Miguel
for donating fabric and books for collage.
Click here for information and photos
CHISPA is a Spanish language program and is about celebrating the unique voices of young people in our communities. This 3-day summer program is designed to give participants the chance to explore who they are and to discover how they want to be seen in the world. Our programming provides experiences which create the opportunity to explore new ways of self expression, encouraging creativity and experimentation with a little bit of magic along the way. Participants leave feeling more connected to themselves and ready to share their story.
CHISPA is completely without cost to the participants, and is supported through volunteer efforts and your donation. Tax-deductive donations are accepted through Art of the Story, which is a 501(c)(3) organization.
An extra benefit of CHISPA is that it gives kids and parents a chance to connect in creative moments.
VOICES
VOICES is a live afternoon performance at the Santa Ana Theater featuring original work written specifically for this event by eight exceptional authors. Each piece is brought to life onstage by eight exceptional speakers, creating a dynamic and engaging experience for the audience. Every piece is being performed for the very first time. Presented as part of (FASMA) Festival of the Arts San Miguel de Allende, this collaboration between San Miguel Playwrights and Art of the Story offers the audience an opportunity to experience curated original storytelling
SAVE THE DATES
Saturday, August 22, 2026
2:00–3:30 p.m.
Teatro Santa Ana, Relox 50 A
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
$150 Pesos at the Door. English.
Click here for information and photos
CHISPA is a Spanish language program and is about celebrating the unique voices of young people in our communities. This 3-day summer program is designed to give participants the chance to explore who they are and to discover how they want to be seen in the world. Our programming provides experiences which create the opportunity to explore new ways of self expression, encouraging creativity and experimentation with a little bit of magic along the way. Participants leave feeling more connected to themselves and ready to share their story.
CHISPA is completely without cost to the participants, and is supported through volunteer efforts and your donation. Tax-deductive donations are accepted through Art of the Story, which is a 501(c)(3) organization.
An extra benefit of CHISPA is that it gives kids and parents a chance to connect in creative moments.
SPARK
Try Something NEW: Surprise Yourself!
SPARK is a three-day immersive experience for adults that brings together exhibitions, presentations, scheduled sessions, guided spaces unconstrained by creative norms, and a wide range of hands-on activities—including spoken word, poetry, performance, conversation, and experimentation. Some elements are scheduled, while many are open and self-guided, allowing you to move through the experience at your own pace—engaging, observing, or stepping in as you choose. It’s not about learning to be creative or becoming an artist; it’s about being yourself and using different forms of expression to try, test, and see what happens—with a sense of fun and adventure. SPARK creates the opportunity for you to open new paths of expression and carry that more fully into the world.
SAVE THE DATES
Tuesday, November 17–Thursday, November 19,2026
12:00–8:00 p.m.
La Casona Convention Center, Josefina Orozco 2
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Passes will be on sale later in the year. English.
1-Day Pass: 150 pesos | 3-Day Pass: 300 pesos
See the 2025 Program here.
Click here for more information and testimonials
This three-day English-language experience invites the participants to break free from their normal routines and to explore new ways to be in touch, to express themselves, and to view the world. There is a nominal cost to participate in this experience, and we rely on your donations and our wonderful team of volunteers and faculty to make this possible.
SPARK introduces the unexpected and the familiar in ways which provide the chance to break through your comfort zone, fan the flame of your creative spark, and gain confidence in embracing new possibilities as well as in expanding existing perceptions. This space is both intimate and collaborative and insists that participants explore, take risks, and at a bare minimum learn more about what it is to be the you you want to be in this world.
TESTIMONIALS
Andrew Buckley
Author, Speaker, Creator
linktr.ee/andrewbuckleyauthor
The Spark by Art of the Story festival not only brought together an eclectic group of faculty made up of artists from all walks of life (and from all over the world), but it also curated relatable and varied sessions. No matter the artistic interest, there was something for everyone.
Expertly organized, the event provided attendees with a bevy of knowledge — expanding minds, creativity, and inspiring a new appreciation for the arts in all its glorious forms.
Judyth Hill
Poet, Maestra, Editor, Author
judythhill.com
Spark! What a much-needed, innovative, and vibrant addition to our always-exciting arts scene in San Miguel!!
Spark lays out a delectable feast, a wise, curated buffet, of opportunities to explore many arts and many mediums of creative expression. This unique event grants everyone attending an all-access pass to explore, discover — play!
As a professional writer, I adore being offered the chance to experience and experiment in other crafts, other art forms, learn from other artists, and dive into other unexplored avenues of my own creativity!
Each of us has not one, but many Voices, not one, but many way to make Beauty! Spark is a spark — a gathering richly jampacked with inspiration — flashes, glimmers, that may be ignited into a flame of new passions!
Come November 2025, join us and be LIT!”
Kate Van Doren, MA ATR
Registered Art Therapist, Professional Artist
katevandoren.com
Spark in San Miguel is an incredible platform for igniting creativity, offering opportunities for everyone to discover and explore their unique creative spark. My experience as a facilitator was deeply rewarding — I led workshops on art therapy, positive psychology, and mandala creation, integrating the transformative principles of neuroscience and healing. I was also honored to be a guest speaker, addressing critical topics such as activism, human rights, and finding your creative voice through art.
Knowledge is power, and when rooted in community connection, it becomes a catalyst for extraordinary transformation. The Spark festival bridges personal creative growth with meaningful community engagement. I especially admire that it is a community-driven non-profit, helping to fund year-round art programs for children.
PARTNER PROGRAM:
Festival de Vivos y Muertos
FESTIVAL DE VIVOS Y MUERTOS
VIVOS Y MUERTOS is a free, family-focused event designed especially for children that honors the traditions and spirit of Día de Muertos through creative, cultural experiences. It is filled with hands-on, craft-based activities where children and families create art and objects that can be incorporated into a family altar, such as decorations, symbolic items, and personal tributes. The experience is open, welcoming, and self-guided, allowing participants to explore, create, and connect at their own pace. Vivos y Muertos brings culture to life—celebrating memory, community, and the continuity between past and present.
SAVE THE DATES
Sunday, October 25, 2026
11:00–5:00 p.m.
Location to be Announced
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
FREE. Spanish and English.
Click here for information and photos
Art of the Story is proud to be a partner to Festival de Vivos y Muertos, which celebrated their 10th anniversary on October 26, 2025.
Vivos y Muertos was founded to provide an opportunity to celebrate the local community during a very special time of the year, Día de Muertos. This event, which draws hundreds of children, is completely without cost to the participants.
Vivos y Muertos provides ways to connect culture, community, and contemporary society to honoring this most important time. Participants have the chance to create all manner of things from ceramic, paper, cardboard, found objects, legos, 3-D forms, art, collage, and more. Many of these creations are for the family altars for Day of the Dead, others are gifts the participants make — usually for their mothers.
The age group for this event spans about 18 months to 17 years, with plenty of proud parents joining in. Activities include a talent show, face painting, and exhibitions of the wonderful art the participants create. At the end of the day, everyone takes their creations home.
Vivos y Muertos is supported by our local community. Our youngest volunteer is 12 years old and she’s amazing — as are all of our dedicated volunteers. As a team we start preparations months in advance and work through the conclusion of the event. We proudly welcome student volunteers who earn civil service credits for their time helping us.
THANK YOU!