The City of Albuquerque’s Department of Arts & Culture, together with Mayor Tim Keller and local partners, has launched Route 66 Remixed, a public art initiative celebrating the legacy of Route 66 through various creative projects and community involvement.
Route 66 Remixed is designed to transform Central Avenue into an interactive experience, featuring large-scale installations and digital features that highlight the history and culture of Albuquerque. The project was developed in collaboration with organizations such as Meow Wolf, Refract Studio, and local artists. Eighteen attractions are spread along the city’s 18-mile stretch of Route 66. Visitors can explore these either individually or collectively using a dedicated web interface. Hakim Bellamy, Albuquerque’s first poet laureate, serves as the narrator for this road trip-themed experience.
“Route 66 is part of who we are as a city,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Through Route 66 Remixed, we’re both preserving history and spotlighting it by combining art, storytelling, and community pride in one experience.”
A key feature unveiled at the launch event was a mural titled Mother: Moment at the University of New Mexico’s Arts Lab. Created by Noé Barnett and Travis Bruce Black, the mural combines modern artistic styles with historical themes related to travelers and trade on Route 66. UNM President Garnett Stokes acknowledged the university’s historical connection to Route 66 and welcomed the positive reception from students and faculty.
The project also includes a hand-illustrated map by local artist Dante Betsch that highlights landmarks along Route 66 in Albuquerque. This map serves both as an art piece and as a guide for residents and visitors.
Several local businesses have joined in supporting the centennial celebrations for Route 66. Presbyterian Healthcare Services will provide “Born on Route 66” onesies to all babies born at their facility in 2026. Blake’s Lotaburger sponsored the illustrated map and plans additional activities at its restaurants during the centennial.
“Partnerships like these remind us that Route 66 is more than a road, it’s a living thread that connects businesses, families, and neighborhoods,” said Dr. Shelle Sanchez, Director of Arts & Culture. “We’re excited to bring everyone together for something that really reflects Albuquerque’s unique spirit and can be experienced every day of the centennial, not just during one event.”
Lancing Adams from the New Mexico Tourism Department and Tania Armenta from Visit Albuquerque discussed how the centennial could boost tourism locally. Albuquerque has been chosen by the national Route 66 Centennial Commission as one of five satellite cities across the country to help launch centennial events in April with coordinated programming.
More information about Route 66 Remixed—including digital experiences, history resources, photo galleries, event listings—is available on Route66ABQ.com.
Locals are encouraged by Arts & Culture and Visit Albuquerque to explore Route 66 Remixed through social media campaigns that will offer perks along Central Avenue during the centennial year.
Route 66 Remixed includes contributions from many local artists and organizations such as Ripe Inc., the Route 66 Centennial Community Committee, and others. Installations range from augmented reality experiences at sites like Singing Arrow Open Space (by Deb Jojola) to murals at locations including Guild Theater (by Dale Deforest) and Historic El Rey Theater (by Jesse Littlebird and Thomas Christopher Haag). Other notable works include sculptures at M’tucci’s Bar Roma (by Nazario Sandoval), bus wrap installations by Dante Betsch, murals at Special Collections Library (by Jessica Helen Lopez), AR experiences at Talin Market (by Helen Atkins), among others.
