Albuquerque Museum’s Visiting Artist Program Welcomes Eric J. García

Albuquerque Museum has welcomed Eric J. García as its 2026 Frederick Hammersley Visiting Artist. Known for his energetic style and thoughtful exploration of U.S. history, García has created a new mixed-media mural that brings overlooked stories forward and invites visitors to reflect on the nation's past and present.

Titled Since 1776… , the mural examines contemporary issues surrounding immigration, education, and the role of American cultural institutions today. The work is installed in the museum’s Jim Baca Lobby, where it can be viewed now through summer 2027.

Born and raised in Albuquerque, García completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a minor in Chicano studies from the University of New Mexico and earned an MFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He is a member of the Veteran Art Movement and the printmaking collectives Justseeds Artists’ Cooperative and Instituto Gráfico de Chicago. 

In addition, García is a dedicated teaching artist and, in fall 2025, was appointed assistant professor of painting & drawing at the University of New Mexico. He has exhibited nationally, and his work can be found in the collections of the National Museum of Mexican Art, the National Hispanic Cultural Center, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Library of Congress. 

García’s past artist residencies include the National Museum of Mexican Art (2009), RAiR: Roswell Artist in Residence (2022), Ogden Contemporary Arts (2023), and Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists’ Residency (2024), among others.Founded in 2011, and generously funded since 2020 by the Frederick Hammersley Fund for the Arts at the Albuquerque Community Foundation, the Visiting Artist Program at Albuquerque Museum commissions artwork by contemporary artists with a strong vision, a deep connection with New Mexico, and an engaging message to share.