Our Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report is available, click here to read more!

Todos Santos Open Studio Tour

Get ready for the 13th Annual Todos Santos Open Studio Tour, celebrating our 13th tour on February 2, 3 & 4! This year boasts over 50 artists, with exciting newcomers. To see more artists on this years tour, click here to visit our website.

The festivities begin on Friday, February 2, 2024, from 6 – 8 pm at Galeria Enrique Guerrero for a Meet the Artist Opening Party, complete with snacks and libations. Don’t forget, the Silent Auction benefits The Palapa Society! 

On February 3 & 4, 2024, our tour begins at The Palapa Learning Center where you will check in and pick up a maps and lanyards. While you are there check out several exhibitions including live art projects by Palapa School students and their friends.

Then explore the magic of local artists' private studios. Last year, we welcomed 400 enthusiasts, and we're anticipating the same excitement.

Wear comfy shoes, bring water, and enjoy refill stations provided by Water Ways Baja which are marked on your map.

This year marks our second ZERO WASTE event! In collaboration with Cero Basura BCS, we're minimizing environmental impact. A digital map on your phone will showcase artist locations, work photos, and bios. Paper maps will be available in limited quantities. Plan your route, mark favorites, and embrace a greener art exploration in Todos Santos! 

In Person Ticket Sales Begin on

January 22, 2024 at El Tecolote Bookstore at 12:00 PM

February 2, 2024

Meet the Artists Opening Party

Galeria Enrique Guerrero

6 - 8 pm

$600 MXN

Silent Auction

Includes beverages and light snacks.

February 3 & 4, 2024

Todos Santos Open Studio Tour

10 am - 4 pm

$300 MXN for both days, children are free.

Tour starts at The Palapa Learning Center

The Kitchen Witches

Get ready for an evening filled with laughter in Todos Santos as "The Kitchen Witches" takes center stage at Teatro Manuel Márquez de León on February 16 - 25. This two-act live comedy features a stellar cast of four talented actors and is directed by acclaimed actress and director Pamela Sue Martin. The plot unfolds around the antics of Isobel and Dolly, cable-access cooking show hosts with a 40-year feud, thrust together on the set of "The Kitchen Witches." Chaos ensues, skillfully managed by Dolly's TV-producer son, Stephen.

Doug West crafts a life-like stage camera for the show.

Adding an extra layer of significance to this performance is its philanthropic initiative. All proceeds from the show will benefit The Palapa Society of Todos Santos, A.C., a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering quality education and community initiatives. Scott Bosch, a board member of The Palapa Society, underscores the collaboration with theater arts and emphasizes the crucial support for their impactful work.

All local residents, the outstanding cast includes Josh Lay, a New York actor, Celia Devault, with stage presence in La Paz, Kathy Warnert, with extensive theatrical experience, and Daniel Caracas, a full-time Glass Artist in Todos Santos.

Thank you to Violeta Wine Bar & Charcuterie and RARE real estate company for sponsoring this production. 

In Person Ticket Sales Begin on

January 22, 2024 at El Tecolote Bookstore at 12:00 PM

Season of Giving Continues

Time is running out to make a difference in Todos Santos! Join our Season of Giving Campaign, our most important fundraiser of the year.

Fuel English education, a bilingual library, and top-tier school programs before it ends on January 25, 2024.

Your donation today shapes brighter futures and empowers community leaders. Act now to ensure a lasting impact and make this holiday season truly special!

If you have already donated and have not received confirmation of your gift, please note that ICF is undergoing a system change, and we will send confirmations after the 23rd. Thank you.

The Palapa School: Breaking Boundaries!

For two months, our school was the home to Kaia, a student from the Indiana University who completed her internship with us.

Her background is in teaching English as a second language, so her support was mainly in English classes, but she also contributed to art, science, and Spanish classes. Additionally, her efforts focused on working individually and in groups with students facing academic challenges and learning barriers.

Kaia's collaboration with The Palapa Society has been extremely beneficial for our community.

We can't wait to welcome the new intern from the Indiana University in April, who will undoubtedly continue to contribute to the quality education at our school.

The latest improvement to The Palapa School - Window Blinds!

The students and teachers are enjoying the high-quality blinds that were installed in all the classrooms, offices and meeting rooms at The Palapa School over the holiday vacation.

These high-quality blinds are a welcomed replacement for the makeshift fabric and drapes that formerly covered the windows. These blinds create a dim to dark learning space for on-line films and PowerPoint presentations as well as block the bright glare from the afternoon sun. The latest gift from our donors, The Stewart Family Trust.

Puente al Inglés para Niños

By Jacki Gillespie

Happy New Year everyone. As we start 2024, we look forward to all the exciting things we have planned for our students. We are planning group/intercambios, as well as some individual class activities to enhance the learning experiences for our students. We look forward to sharing them with you!!

As always we would love more volunteers. If you, or someone you know is interested, please contact us. puentealingles@palapasociety.org

Feliz Año Nuevo! Our new term began this month and will continue until spring break. Most of our students this term are returning students. This is a good sign that they are enjoying the classes and learning from our wonderful volunteer teachers.

If you would like to volunteer, or just come see how the program works, please click here

Biblioteca Elena Poniatowska

We are going to highlight some of our great volunteers this year. The library could not function without these amazing volunteers, who bring so much to our community.

Tracie Chambers recently completed one year of volunteering at the BEP!!

PB: How did you find Todos Santos? 

TC: About 25 yrs ago (in 1999), my girlfriend found it. She stayed here with her boyfriend for about 3 months and she loved it. Then, she made me come down, we came together, and I fell in love with it.

PB: Why did you want to volunteer at the library?

TC: I love books. That’s all I have to say

PB: What are the benefits of volunteering at the library?

TC: You get to help so many people in so many different ways. You help the students, foreign residents, and they all have a place to read. It's such an integral part of Todos Santos. 

PB: Do you remember any of the previous locations that the library was in?

TC: I recall that little green house near the (baseball) stadium. I remember I used to get dizzy coming down the spiral staircase. There was a very busy section up there, so I was always going up and down.

PB: What is your favorite book?

TC: I don’t have a favorite book, but I have a favorite author, Amor Towles. I always recommend the three books of his that we have. People always come back, absolutely without fail, telling me how much they love him.

Click to continue reading here

Children's Library Hours

By Anaid Olvera Martinez, Director 

Readers wanted!

At the Elena Poniatowska Children's Library, we closed the year with a reading of the book "The Polar Express," written by Chris Van Allsburg. Alaine Rodríguez, a mother of one of our users, was responsible for narrating Chris's journey on the train to the North Pole. We appreciate Alaine and our visitors for their participation in the reading hour. Likewise, we encourage moms and dads to come and read a book to the families that are part of our library.

During the December holidays, we took the opportunity to continue organizing our book collection by thematic classification. This way, it will be much easier for our visitors to find books that interest them. For this task, we have had the significant participation of our volunteers, Terra Omni, Colleen, and Steve Kazemi. We still have much to do, so we extend the invitation to our community to participate as volunteers in the children's library.

If you wish to narrate a book on reading Saturdays, participate as a volunteer, donate children's books, or have any questions, please click here; we will gladly assist you.

Community Calendar

Biblioteca Elena Poniatowska Hours

Community Library: M, W & F 10 am - 1 pm

Children’s Library: M, T & Th 5 - 6 pm Sat: 10 am - 2 pm

Biblioteca Elena Poniatowska Book Group

January 19, 2024 and runs every third Friday until June 2024

Cost: Priceless

Time: 12 - 1 pm

Location: The Palapa Learning Center

Join us for stimulating discussions on books and climate change!

Escuela de la Palapa 

February 1, 2024 Inscriptions for Secundaria and Preparatoria

For more information: Visit Website

Palapa Society Events Calendar

Special Thank you´s

A special thank you to Jenny Armit for her generous donation of over 250 great books. We are always looking for new volunteers to join us in the library.

Hats off to The Stewart Family Foundation Milt and Judi Stewart and Peter Skei and Hannah Austin, and Amy Skei. who outfitted the windows of the second floor with new coverings!

Thank the Riedl Family, Alaine Rodriguez, Elias Aye and Paty Baum who donated books in spanish, English and bilingual to the children's library during the months of November and December.

December Donors

Estate of Anita Harris

Anne & Peter Lepine

Margaretta & Brew Caesar

B Frank & Ronnie McCaffrey

Becca Trembley

Bambi & Berry Jones

Besame Mucho Bazaar

Betsy H. Walters

Blair Jenkins

Carl Rowe

Carol & Greg Dobbs

Cathryn Williams & Greg Broughton

Cathy & William Nation

Claude Vogel

Claudia Kopkowski

Courtney Higgins

Daniel Winchester

David Puckett

Deborah Parrish

Denise & John Youngquist

Dennis Eberl

Dianne & Jim Robinson

Donna Hazleton

Elizabeth Day

Eric Neste

Erica & Jeff McIlroy

Gary & Cindi Dyke

Harry Lewis

Jae & Jeff Sherwood

James Chiddix

Janelle Tillman

Jennifer Nichols

Jill Mollenhauer & Robert Bland

Jim Chiddix

John Staley

Kate Ecker

Katherine Melito

Laura Zick

Laurie & Mark Miller

Lee Purser

Leslie & Gary Russell

The Letzerich Family

Mark Gabriel

Marsha Dahlquist

Mary Carlson & Tom Stoltman

Mary Willmon

Max Uranga

Nancy Joyce

Phyllis & Jack Nottingham

Robert Jacobi

Sandra Shellum

Sarah Saturday

Sharley Azen Fisher

Sharon Morris

Shelia & Stephen Jagenteufl

The Stewart Family Foundation

Steve Jacobi

Susan & Roy Beaton

Susan & Terry Casey

Susan Gracie Atherton

Suzanne Taylor & Michael McFadden

Violetta Wine Bar

Anonymous

Anonymous

Eleanor Andrews

Suzanne & Rick Arnold

Heather Bauer and Jerry Back

Gail & Scott Bosch

Sally & David Brower

Pam & Paul Bumann

Vickie Butler

Stephen Carver & Stephanie Vetter

Timothy Case

Ryan Casey

Dennis Chapman

Karen & Judd Cuenin

Patricia & Greg Deuster

Julie & Michael Dandurand

Ken Ford

Kristen & Rick Friedman

Jane Gehring

Virginia Gollery

Charley & Karen Haley

Jane Hall

Margot & Dick Hampleman

Marc Hankin

Charles & Ruth Herren

Cindy & David Higgins

Courtney Higgins

Marimar Higgins

Anthony & Lee Irons

Rhoda Jacobs

Coach & Marilyn Jacques

Bonnie & AJ Johnston

Janna Kinkade

Lynn & Brian Kuske

Marshall Laird

Teresa Laird

Margaret Lawson

Becky Lopresti & Mike Carney

Jay Masaschi

Connie & Andy Mical

Jill Mollenhauer & Robert Bland

Chris Miller & Diana Pandell

Sharon Morris

Dennis & Nancy Naigle

Cathy & William Nation

Sophia & Stephen Nicholas

Patricia O'Connell

Maria Olaisen & Mike Block

Deborah Parrish

Kristin Rust

Jessica Spencer

Sydney & Greg Schweitzer

Oscar Rosales

Nancy Simpson

Cate Thomassen & Jack Schaub

Suzanne Taylor & Michael McFadden

Angelica Velez Mendez

Kathy Warnert

Lisa Welsch

Robert Bruce Westbrook

Unlock the power of education and transform lives by becoming a monthly donor to The Palapa Society.

Your recurring contribution ensures that children in Todos Santos to have access to quality education, empowering them with the knowledge and skills they need for a brighter future.

Join our community of dedicated supporters, and together, we can make a profound and sustainable impact on the educational opportunities of those in need.