ADVISORY: Artists capture the soul of Route 66 in mural design exhibit at Governor�s Gallery
January 12 – April 4, 2026, at the Roundhouse Capitol Building.
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
View this email in your browser
Hi Everyone,
The New Mexico History Museum presents “Mother Road: Route 66 in New Mexico,” an exhibition at the Governor’s Gallery inside the New Mexico State Capitol.
What: In July 2025, the History Museum hosted an open call for artists to design and paint a mural in the museum’s lobby commemorating the centennial founding of Route 66. Five artists from nearly two hundred submissions were invited to create concept artwork for the mural. In the exhibition, “Mother Road: Route 66 in New Mexico,” large-scale mural mock-up designs created by the five finalists will be on display at the Governor’s Gallery. The designs interpret Route 66’s cultural and historical importance through each artist’s creative and contemporary lens. Artists include Gabriel Eng-Goetz, Michael Ferrarell, Brianna Gardocki, KEY DETAIL, and Molly Mendenhall. The exhibition will be on display January 12 – April 4, 2026, at the Roundhouse.
Who: New Mexico History Museum
When: January 12 – April 4, 2026
Where: Governor's Gallery, 4th Floor at the Roundhouse State Capitol, 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Why: For New Mexico, Route 66 brought both opportunity and upheaval, and the historic road connected remote communities, stimulated business growth, and introduced the state’s unique blend of cultures to the world. This exhibition celebrates not only the legacy of the highway, but also the landscapes, communities, artists, and travelers whose stories helped define New Mexico’s identity. This exhibition is presented in conjunction with a newly commissioned mural in the lobby of the New Mexico History Museum, “Mother Road Coming into Color,” painted by Molly Mendenhall and on display through 2026.
Let me know if you would like to schedule an interview or would like media images. Sincerely, Christina
Christina Claassen christina.claassen@dca.nm.gov 505-946-7149
Copyright ©2026 New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. All rights reserved. Bataan Memorial Building | 407 Galisteo Street, Suite 260 | Santa Fe, NM 87501
Thank you for your interest in NM Department of Cultural Affairs news and releases; you can always update your preferences or unsubscribe from these emails