About Us
360 XQMX exists to support artists, writers and performers who benefit from having uninterrupted time to devote to their creativity.
Here in Ajijic, Jalisco (Mexico), residents are inspired by the natural beauty of Lake Chapala and the surrounding mountains. We offer a community of year-round creatives, opportunities for feedback and fellowship and time to focus on what is most important to you while on your creative journey.
Bethany Anne Putnam, Owner and Director
A lifelong photographer, Bethany began managing artists and musicians in 2006. She has always been drawn to artistic communities, living in in Asheville, NC; Martha's Vineyard, MA; New York City; Providence, RI; Santa Fe, NM and moved to Ajijic in 2018. While living at Lakeside she has kept busy managing a world-class art installation, founding Lakeside Shutterbugs (a photography group) and being elected President of the Ajijic Society of the Arts. Being the Owner and Director of the 360 XQMX ~ Residency for Creatives is a culmination of her broad hospitality skills and a love for promoting artists. 360 XQMX is the perfect vehicle for creating programming that celebrates a diverse community, brings creative people together in conversation and provides opportunities for growth and connection.
Email her directly at hello@360XQMX.com.
Deborah ‘Cobra’ Kruger, Founder
Deborah Kruger founded 360 Xochi Quetzal (360 XQMX) in 2012 and ran the program until 2023, when she sold it to Bethany.
Kruger is an internationally exhibiting artist. Kruger’s art practice balances making objects of beauty that convey layered meaning about habitat fragmentation, bird migration, species extinction and loss of indigenous languages. Her artwork is made with recycled plastic, screen printed with images of endangered birds and languages.
Kruger has studios in the lively arts community in Durham, North Carolina and in the lakeside village of Chapala, Mexico where she has a team-based production studio that provides jobs and empowerment to local Mexican women.
Learn more about her work on YouTube (and subscribe!) and on her artist website. CLICK HERE to visit her artist profile.
headquARTers
360 XQMX has a new headquARTers to accommodate the many international residents that spend their time with us in Ajijic. The headquARTers is comprised of (8) suites that have either a KING bed or (2) TWIN beds, a full kitchen and a private bath. (2) additional suites have a KING bed, a MATRIMONIAL bed, a full kitchen and (2) private baths. Residents are encouraged to use the entry patio to their room (with a seating area) to write, paint, read or just enjoy. However, throughout the property are many other places to be creative, including a breakfast dining area, a cozy salon gallery, a group studio terrace on the 2nd floor and a scenic mirador with incredible views of the mountains and Lake Chapala. To relax or burn off some energy, there is a stone-lined pool, a jacuzzi and gym equipment. Located just blocks from the plaza and the malecon, you will find the 360 XQMX headquARTers to be convenient to daily services, restaurants, galleries, shops and public transportation.
Breakfast is an important time of the day for a 360 XQMX resident. Everyone gathers together and it is how the sense of community grows. It happens naturally over coffee. Residents chat about the art opening they attended last night, or the chapter of their book they wrote during sunrise, or how excited they are about the excursion happening tomorrow. They talk about their process and share about their daily lives. It is important.
Monday - Friday we offer an elevated "continental" breakfast. We provide homemade granola, yogurt and fresh fruit. Coffee, tea and juice are always included. There is always a delicous pastry of some sort. It might be savory or sweet. It might even be more substantial. On Saturdays we offer a traditional Mexican breakfast. Perhaps chilaquiles or huevos rancheros or tamales with Mexican scrambled eggs. On Sundays we encourage the residents to explore the town and seek out breakfast from one of the many fabulous restaurants in our community. It gives our breakfast cooks the day to spend with their family and our residents an opportunity to explore the town.