Albuquerque Convention Center’s Showcases New Mexico Art on Display

Albuquerque, NM – The art scene is alive in the Albuquerque Convention Center, home to one of the city’s most extensive public art collections outside of the Albuquerque Museum.   The Albuquerque Convention Center’s exhibitions can be attributed to bringing a part of the City of Albuquerque’s Public Art Collection, consisting of largely New Mexico artists. With more than 150 installations on display, the Convention Center functions as a museum gallery that welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. 

The Public Arts Division issues a statewide art “call” every few years, the most recent in 2020 and 2022, to support artists and display art in public spaces. The 2020 call brought pieces to the Albuquerque Convention Center like Cruz de Flor Grande by Melvin Rivera, Expanding and Landing by Robyn Frank, and Peace to Every Crease by Travis Black. 

Beyond the established pieces, the meeting complex displays art in motion with the ongoing Albuquerque Convention Center Fresco Project. Collaborating with the City of Albuquerque Public Art Program, this evolving fresco by renowned fresco artist Frederico Vigil in the main circular stairwell illustrates the diverse facets of New Mexico’s landscape, agricultural techniques, and historic winemaking processes. Learn more about the Fresco project here. 

Art tours at the Albuquerque Convention Center are available for groups by request and are led by CABQ Public Art staff. One of the recent moderated and self-guided tours included a group of 30 patrons from Corrales Arts Center.  The group meandered through the halls of the Albuquerque Convention Center as an integral stop on their tour of local art in Albuquerque. The CABQ Public Art staff offer moderated art tours of the Albuquerque Convention Center for groups, by request based on staff availability.   Additional information can be found here: https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/public-art.

“I love giving art tours at the Albuquerque Convention Center because I am able to tell the stories behind each piece and make connections between the artists and their community impact,” says Mandolen Sanchez, Public Art Outreach Program Coordinator. “The building itself is a welcome gate to Albuquerque for tourists and locals alike, so having pieces on display that reflect our city’s history, culture, and talent is an important part of that introduction to the city.” 

The Albuquerque Convention Center has seen a flurry of activity so far in 2024. Between art tours, a sold-out series of stand-up comedy acts at the Kiva Auditorium, the USA 2024 Indoor Track & Field Championships, and multiple professional conferences across industries, hundreds of thousands of guests have filled the downtown venue with energy and life. 

Explore the hub of creativity, culture, and entertainment in the heart of downtown at the Albuquerque Convention Center. For more information, including upcoming exhibits and events, visit https://albuquerquecc.com/events-category/convention-center/. 

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