2026 community programming
Earthen Plaster (Basecoat)
What: A weekend community workshop series
Where: Chilchinbeto, AZ (exact location shared upon registration)
When: 9am - 3pm on Saturday, July 11 - Sunday, July 12
Attendance: 12 participants
Workshop Info:
In this workshop, participants will be immersed in the traditional practice of mixing and applying earthen plaster made from local materials, including clay from the project homesite in Chilchinbeto. Together, we will apply the basecoat to light straw-clay walls, using both hands and trowels to create a strong, breathable finish. Participants will learn how to source, harvest, process, and mix clay with sand, straw, and other natural and regional materials to make plaster. We will also experiment with different mixing ratios, application methods, and finishing techniques. These methods honor Indigenous knowledge passed down through generations and reflect regenerative building practices that strengthen our community’s ties to the land.
Activities Schedule
Activities Schedule
Day 1:
Introductions and overview of earthen plasters
Identifying plaster ingredients and ratios
Sourcing, harvesting, and processing clay from the homesite
Applying basecoat plaster demonstration
Day 2:
Mixing clay, sand, and straw to make earthen plaster
Applying basecoat plaster to light straw-clay walls
Wrap up and reflections
We encourage you to attend one full 2-day weekend workshop and also welcome you to stop by when you can. Please indicate your attendance in the registration.
Location DETAILS
The workshop is located at our project site in Chilchinbeto, AZ.
Site Conditions: Chilchinbeto is located on the Colorado Plateau at an elevation of 6,021 feet and is surrounded by ancient ocean formations. The workshop site is nestled next to petrified sand dunes and rich desert flora landscape. Chilchinbeto does experience all four-seasons and temperatures fluctuate during the summer months. Please expect high temperatures in the upper 90’s to low temperatures at night to low 50’s. Be prepared for dry southwest heat and possible high-windy days! Stay hydrated and bring sun-protection.
An outside toilet or outhouse is available on-site with a handwashing station. Potable water will be available on-site.
SURROUNDING AMENITIES
Grocers:
Dennehotso Market (small market/deli/laundry), Dennehotso, AZ
Mexican Water gas station and cafe, Mexican Water, AZ (east of Dennehotso)
Basha, Kayenta, AZ (25 miles west of Dennehotoso, AZ)
Restaurants:
Blue Coffee Pot, Kayenta, AZ (25 miles west of Dennehotos, AZ).
Pizza Edge, Kayenta, AZ.
Hampton Inn restaurant, Kayenta, AZ.
Golden Rice Bowl, Kayenta, AZ.
Amigo Cafe, Kayenta, AZ.
Kayenta Monument Valley Inn restaurant, Kayenta, AZ.
McDonald's, Kayenta, AZ.
Taco Bell, Kayenta, AZ.
Burger King, Kayenta, AZ.
Subway, Kayenta, AZ.
Goulding’s Lodge restaurant, Gouldings, UT.
Lodging:
Camping will be available at the Dennehotso project site. You can also book lodging at:
The View Campground (Monument Valley, UT)
Monument Valley KOA (Monument Valley, UT)
Hampton Inn (Kayenta, AZ)
Kayenta Monument Valley Inn (Kayenta, AZ)
Wetherill Inn (Kayenta, AZ)
The View Hotel (Monument Valley, UT)
Goulding’s Lodge Monument Valley (Goulding, UT)
Dennehotso Market with Walking With Dinétah mural by Lynnette Haozous
NI staff and board at Amigo Cafe in Kayenta, Az
about the InstructorS
Mariah Ashley
Mariah is Diné, Tsinaajini, born for Ta'neesahnii. They are from Chichitah, New Mexico and currently reside in Flagstaff, Arizona. Mariah has been learning and practicing the art of natural building for 5 years after she inherited the “Strawbale House” aka ‘Strawberry Home’ from her late grandmother. Since then her love for earthen plastering and natural building has evolved into providing sustainable housing solutions and bringing communities together!
As we enter a changing environment, the need for community and adequate housing is critical. With natural building we can build relationships to each other and to the land, foster community care and cooperation, and empower ourselves to build our own homes without being reliant on loans and mortgages. Mariah’s dream is to see Indigenous people’ reclaim their matriarchal and ancestral homelands by sheltering one another with sustainable housing that is non-toxic, fire resistant, breathable, humble and made from the earth as our ancestors intended.
Bianca Mondragón
Bianca Mondragón is 37 years old from Nogales Tucson and Flagstaff Arizona. She started learning about soil remediation and natural building in 2011. From her studies on the central coast of California, she moved back to Arizona in 2015 and started building her cob (monolithic adobe) home north of Flagstaff. She started teaching natural building courses through Cob Cottage Co. And Quail Springs Permaculture. Currently, her business and full-time job are consulting on cob, light straw clay, and strawbale homes. Design, engineering, and the construction of buildings from foundation to finishes. Specializing in lime/clay finishes and earthen floors for the past 8 years. Teaching others how to shelter themselves in beautiful, healthy, dignified homes is the main part of her work.
