New Mexican travelers and visitors to the Land of Enchantment are being welcomed to our city with a new 50-foot mural, modeled after vintage postcards, at the Albuquerque International Sunport. Each letter depicts a part of Albuquerque’s history and was created by a local student-artist, including five Academy students and alumni. “The piece looks amazing as a whole, but with a closer look, each letter contains beautiful details and is a work of art in itself,” said Nyika Allen, director of aviation for the City of Albuquerque.
A created by Anila Marks ’22
Anila feels a deep connection to New Mexican land, culture, and communities. Art has given her the opportunity to connect to all kinds of people with different backgrounds and stories whether it be through paper design at her synagogue, art classes at school, or landscapes of her home in the South Valley.
E created by Grace Archibeck ’21
Grace’s interest in art has stemmed from growing up surrounded by the culture and creativity in New Mexico. Her art mainly consists of acrylic paintings of photographs she takes around New Mexico.
L created by Magdalena Ramos Mullane ’18
Magdalena is a junior at Vassar College studying art history and the way in which art intersects with community and making alike. She feels lucky to have grown up in Albuquerque surrounded by powerful acts of creation and healing, especially during a time where collaborative making is more vital than ever.
R created by Melinda Modisette ’21
Melinda loves art because it’s powerful. It illustrates a perspective of the world and how just a few colors can change someone’s entire perspective of life, which in a way changes the whole world itself.
U created by Sekai Berry ’21
Sekai is a multi-dimensional student-artist whose art often focuses on how culture and identity influence femininity. Her heritage, Zimbabwean and European, affects her art immensely.
The second phase of the project will feature an exhibition of the 11 separate artworks inside the Sunport. The artists — a collaborative, all-women team — completed the piece out of Sanitary Tortilla Factory, a studio and exhibition space in downtown Albuquerque.
