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La Manchoza
La Manchoza
La Manchoza
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Description
Ana Paula Luna is a Mexican sculptor with an established professional practice spanning sculpture, ceramics, and material-based experimentation. Her work has been exhibited internationally and is rooted in a deep engagement with craftsmanship, landscape, and the transformative potential of materials. Alongside her artistic practice, she has developed studios, workshops, and creative spaces that support artistic production and research.
Juan Lanzagorta is a programmer, designer, and builder with a background in technology, entrepreneurship, and project development. He has led the design and construction of much of La Manchoza's infrastructure, combining technical expertise with a strong interest in sustainable living, architecture, and creative problem-solving.
Together, they founded La Manchoza as an artist-run residency where art, nature, architecture, and self-directed creative practice converge in the mountains of Jalisco, Mexico.
La Manchoza is an independent, artist-run organization dedicated to supporting self-directed artistic practice through residency programs, creative infrastructure, and engagement with place. Located in the mountains near Tapalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, the project brings together art, architecture, sustainable living, and material experimentation within a rural environment.
Founded by sculptor Ana Paula Luna and programmer and builder Juan Lanzagorta, La Manchoza operates as a small-scale, hands-on initiative where artists are encouraged to develop their work with autonomy, focus, and access to adaptable creative spaces. The organization supports a range of disciplines, including sculpture, ceramics, painting, writing, and interdisciplinary practices.
Rooted in principles of curiosity, craftsmanship, sustainability, and creative freedom, La Manchoza seeks to foster meaningful artistic development while remaining closely connected to the landscape, local knowledge, and the evolving process of making.
Founded by sculptor Ana Paula Luna and programmer and builder Juan Lanzagorta, La Manchoza operates as a small-scale, hands-on initiative where artists are encouraged to develop their work with autonomy, focus, and access to adaptable creative spaces. The organization supports a range of disciplines, including sculpture, ceramics, painting, writing, and interdisciplinary practices.
Rooted in principles of curiosity, craftsmanship, sustainability, and creative freedom, La Manchoza seeks to foster meaningful artistic development while remaining closely connected to the landscape, local knowledge, and the evolving process of making.
Outcome
There are no predefined deliverables or mandatory outputs.
Typical outcomes may include completed or in-progress artworks, material research, prototypes, installations, written work, or other process-based explorations developed during the residency period.
Beyond tangible outputs, the residency also supports deeper outcomes such as dedicated time for reflection, experimentation with materials, and focused engagement with a rural, off-grid environment that fosters sustained creative practice.
Accommodation Information
Residents are provided with a fully private, self-contained two-story house located on the property, approximately 30 meters from the founders’ residence, ensuring both privacy and proximity to support when needed.
The house measures 4 x 11 meters per floor, with a total interior area of 88 m² (947 ft²), and includes a private garden area adjacent to the building.
The accommodation is fully equipped for long-term stays and includes a kitchen, private bathroom, living and dining areas, bedroom, terrace, and flexible studio spaces that can be adapted for different creative practices. Furniture is movable to accommodate individual working needs.
Amenities include Starlink internet, electricity, gas, water, and weekly cleaning service. The house is designed as an off-grid smart home incorporating rainwater harvesting, reclaimed materials, and bioconstruction elements.
The accommodation is intended to function both as a living space and an integrated working environment for artists during their residency.
Studio Information
The residency provides a range of adaptable studio and workshop spaces
1. A covered outdoor woodworking area is available for sculpture, woodwork, and experimental construction processes. The space is suitable for tools and material-intensive work, including chainsaw sculpture and large-scale fabrication.
2. The residency includes a dedicated ceramic workspace and a high-temperature gas kiln, allows for firing of ceramic works on-site. Raw materials are available for glaze development.
3. Painting can be carried out in multiple locations. Easels and diverse lighting are available.
4.The residency includes interior and exterior areas suitable for writing and research.
5. Bronze casting is not conducted on-site but is available through collaboration with a professional foundry and local artisans in Tapalpa.
Technical Information
La Manchoza is a self-directed, off-grid residency designed to support long-term artistic production in a rural environment while maintaining essential modern infrastructure.
The property operates with on-site utilities including electricity and a rainwater harvesting system. Water is managed sustainably as part of the off-grid infrastructure.
High-speed Starlink internet is available throughout the residency house and selected work areas, supporting research, communication, and digital production.
The residency incorporates off-grid and low-impact living systems, including rainwater collection and the use of reclaimed construction materials. The infrastructure is designed to balance comfort with environmental responsibility.
Technical facilities include a ceramic kiln, woodworking and sculpture tools, a covered outdoor workshop, and flexible studio spaces. A shipping container is available for storage and additional workspace.
Bronze casting is available off-site through collaboration with local artisans and a professional foundry in Tapalpa.
The residency is self-directed. Technical assistance is available informally depending on project needs, particularly for material sourcing and coordination with local workshops.
Located in the mountains near Tapalpa, Jalisco, the residency is situated in a rural environment approximately 20 km from town, with access to basic services, markets, and transport within a 25–30 minute drive.