Open Air Gallery Returns to Civic Plaza for Route 66 Centennial
Photography and poetry shape a public exhibition honoring the people, places, and stories of the Mother Road
As part of Albuquerque’s Route 66 Centennial celebration, the Department of Arts & Culture is bringing back the Open Air Gallery to downtown’s Civic Plaza, featuring photography and poetry inspired by the historic Mother Road. The public is invited to a free opening event on Sunday, May 31, from 4 to 6 p.m.
The exhibition, titled Sunday on Central Avenue, showcases Route 66 photography by Nathaniel Tetsuro Paolinelli, Jessica Roybal, and Gabriela Campos alongside poetry by Damien Flores and Levi Romero, blending visual storytelling with the written word.
“Downtown Albuquerque has great potential to connect people through art,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’ve invested in cultural experiences that visitors and residents alike can enjoy through the centennial.”
The exhibition complements Centennial Roots, currently on view at the Route 66 Visitor Center, which also features photography by Paolinelli, Roybal, and Campos as part of the venue’s ongoing centennial programming. Flores serves as Albuquerque’s current poet laureate, while Levi Romero was named New Mexico’s inaugural poet laureate in 2020. Their work adds a literary layer to the exhibition.
“Bringing photographers and poets together for this exhibition creates a powerful conversation about Route 66 and the communities linked by it,” said Arts & Culture Director Dr. Shelle Sanchez. “Through images and words, these artists celebrate the road that connects us all as it continues to shape Albuquerque.”
The exhibition is part of the City’s broader Route 66 Centennial efforts highlighting Albuquerque’s creative community and the enduring legacy of the Mother Road through art, exhibitions, performances, and cultural programming. The exhibition will be on view through the Route 66 Centennial.
For more information: cabq.gov/artsculture