ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® Unveils 2026 Official Serigraph Poster

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® has officially released its fan-favorite collectible, the 2026 Official Serigraph Poster, created by local painter and muralist Travis Bruce Black.

Continuing a tradition established in 1979, Balloon Fiesta partners with renowned artists to bring original fine art to collectors and ballooning enthusiasts worldwide. This year’s edition reflects Black’s deep connection to New Mexico, where he has lived since arriving from Michigan in 2005 to attend the University of New Mexico.

“I came to Albuquerque as a student,” Black said. “I stayed because of the community, the food, the sky, and an art scene that operates more like a family. I recognized the strange beauty of this place the moment I arrived. I hope the work reflects that.”

The 2026 poster, Chirp409 Manifiesta, features a striking roadrunner set against a bright New Mexico sky, surrounded by a colorful flock of hot air balloons rendered in dynamic geometric patterns and vivid Southwest-inspired color. The design blends motion, color, and pattern to create a celebratory image that captures the spirit of Balloon Fiesta.

After co-founding Bright Rain Gallery in Old Town, Black transitioned to full-time painting in 2011. His studio work spans watercolor, acrylic, and mixed media across three signature series: Chirp, User Interface, and Life Arrangement.

Black’s work is featured in prestigious collections across New Mexico, including Albuquerque City Hall, the Albuquerque Convention Center, and the University of New Mexico Hospital, as well as internationally at the Museum of Fine Art in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. His designs have also appeared on couture gowns by Indian fashion house Gauri and Nainika worn by celebrities Kerry Washington, Debra Messing, and Carrie Underwood.

An accomplished public artist, Black co-created the 6,000-square-foot “Mother: Moment” mural in Nob Hill for the Route 66 Remixed project in 2025, alongside a recent 12-by-40-foot interior mural for a major global technology company. Grounded in over 20 years of Zen practice, his art celebrates the connection between nature, community, and the joy of being alive.

Both signed and non-signed prints are currently available for purchase at Balloon Fiesta’s Gift Shop, located at 4401 Alameda Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM, and online at balloonfiestastuff.com. Guests can also purchase the poster at the Official Balloon Fiesta Merchandise Tent during the event.

For more information about the artist and the poster, visit the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta YouTube channel.

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About the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc.

The ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® is an annual festival of hot air balloons that takes place every October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. It is the largest gathering of balloons and balloonists in the world. For details on events, schedule, and entertainment, visit our website, BalloonFiesta.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, or TikTok.