A colorful Public Art mural by Molly Mendenhall features hot air balloons, birds, flowers, and other nature-inspired imagery against a bright blue sky. The balloons and surrounding elements are rendered in vibrant reds, oranges, greens, blues, and purples, creating a whimsical, playful composition. The mural is painted on the exterior wall of a building.

New Mural Brings More Color to Balloon Fiesta Park

Local artist’s work debuts ahead of New Mexico’s largest event.

September 03, 2026

A new Public Art mural will welcome visitors to this year’s Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta™, bringing a vibrant nature-inspired work by Albuquerque artist Molly Mendenhall to the restroom facilities building at Balloon Fiesta Park.

Today, the Department of Arts & Culture’s Public Art Urban Enhancement Division and Arts Board dedicated the mural “Billow Outside the Box” to its collection, making the work a permanent part of the city’s growing collection of art in public spaces. The mural reflects Mendenhall’s nature-centric artistic style, transforming an everyday facility into an opportunity for discovery and imagination.

“My work is motivated by a mission to celebrate the child that lives in each of us,” said Mendenhall. “So, I am thrilled to be able to create this mural which encourages us to dream about flight and to always wonder.”

With thousands of residents and visitors passing through Balloon Fiesta Park each year, the artwork offers a highly visible introduction to Albuquerque’s commitment to making public art part of everyday experiences.

"This is exactly what public art is meant to do. It takes a place we might normally pass by without much thought and gives us a reason to stop, look, and imagine," said Arts & Culture Director Hilma E. Chynoweth. "Art turns ordinary spots into extraordinary spaces."

“Balloon Fiesta Park is one of the most colorful places,” said Mayor Tim Keller, “It’s fitting we bring more color and more art to a place where tens of thousands visit each year.”

Mendenhall’s artistic style is generally illustrative with an emphasis on color and play. Her goal for “Billow Outside the Box” is to celebrate flight with whimsical, fantastical, and colorful imagery which plays to our sense of magic. Featured in the design are a diverse range of New Mexican flora and fauna as they take to the sky.

The north facing portion of the mural highlights a large flying snapping turtle carrying a sheep, a duck, and a rooster as passengers. It’s a homage to the first passengers to safely land in a hot air balloon. Balloons and creatures function as an interactive element, encouraging people to feel like they can play with and photograph themselves in the artwork.

Mendenhall’s mural joins 1,600+ Public Art works throughout the city. An interactive map of all the City’s Public Art installations can be found on the website.