Route 66 Remixed Crosses the Finish Line: Collaborative Art and Cultural Experience Now Live Along Central Avenue

Today Mayor Tim Keller, along with the City of Albuquerque’s Department of Arts & Culture, Visit Albuquerque, City Council President Klarissa J. Peña, and artist Rob Vanderslice celebrated the installation of his custom lowrider-themed sculpture at the southeast corner of Central and Unser SW. With this final art piece in place, the full Route 66 Remixed experience is live and ready for residents and visitors to explore along Albuquerque’s iconic Central Avenue corridor.

“Route 66 Remixed and our broader Centennial efforts reflect Albuquerque’s deep pride in our history and our bold vision for the future," said Mayor Keller. "We’re investing in art, culture, and community to ensure every visitor experiences the creativity, warmth, and spirit that make Albuquerque unforgettable.”

Route 66 Remixed reimagines the historic Mother Road through bold, contemporary art, transforming everyday spaces into immersive experiences that celebrate Albuquerque’s culture, history, diversity, and creative future. Featuring site-specific installations, murals, sculptures, and augmented reality by an extraordinary lineup of local artists, the project invites exploration, discovery, and connection along one of the world’s most storied routes.

"Route 66 Remixed is about honoring legacy while elevating new voices and creative expression,” said Arts & Culture Director Dr. Shelle Sanchez. “The response has been incredible, and we’re deeply grateful to our partners, artists, and community for helping us create something that truly reflects Albuquerque’s spirit.”

Since its launch, Route 66 Remixed has generated significant local, regional, and national media attention, shining a spotlight on Albuquerque’s creative community and innovative approach to cultural storytelling. This momentum reflects the deep collaboration behind the project, led by Arts & Culture in partnership with Meow Wolf, Refract Studio, Visit Albuquerque, the New Mexico State Tourism Department, Blake’s Lotaburger, and artists, community partners, and supporters who helped bring this vision to life.

To support public engagement and exploration, the official Route 66 Remixed map is available at Blake’s Lotaburger locations, Public Library branches along Central, as well as other Arts & Culture venues throughout the city. The illustrated coloring map serves as both a guide and a keepsake, offering context, artist information, and storytelling that deepen the experience.

Route 66 Remixed can be experienced one site at a time or as a full tour, with an audio guide narrated by Albuquerque’s inaugural Poet Laureate Hakim Bellamy. Learn more at Route66ABQ.com or Route66Remixed.com.

As Albuquerque prepares to celebrate the Route 66 Centennial all year, Route 66 Remixed stands as a signature cultural project that blends public art, community storytelling, tourism, and placemaking to showcase Albuquerque as a dynamic creative destination.

Route 66 Remixed installations include:

• Singing Arrow Park AR Experience by Deb Jojola
• East Central Open Sky Sign Installations by Nazario Sandoval (aka Wemfer)
• Talin Market AR Experience by Helen Atkins
• Guild Theater AR Experience by Dale Deforest
• M’tucci’s Bar Roma Sculpture by Nazario Sandoval (aka Wemfer)
• University of New Mexico Arts Lab Mural by Noé Barnett and Travis Bruce Black
• Special Collections Library AR Experience by Jessica Helen Lopez
• Historic Crossroads (4th St. & Central Ave.) Mural by Gael Luna and AR Experience by Carmen Montes
• 505 Central Food Hall Mural by Lynnette Haozous
• Historic El Rey Theater Mural by Jesse Littlebird and Thomas Christopher Haag
• Albuquerque Museum Sculpture Garden AR Experience by Sonja Killer
• ABQ BioPark Aquarium and Botanic Garden AR Experience by Lea Anderson
• Albuquerque Rapid Transit (ART) Bus Wrap Traveling Installation by Dante Betsch
• Historic Unser Garage Route 66 Shield by Rob Vanderslice
• Route 66 Visitor Center Mural by PAZ/Mapitzmitl and AR Experience by Akilah Martinez
• Nine Mile Hill AR Experience by Karl Orozco