Route 66 Art Wall & Mural Project
Donation protected
In order to create an artistic landmark on the old Route 66 in San Fidel, New Mexico, Annex:art is erecting a 300 ft long art wall along its frontage to the epic roadway. The wall will contain sixty 8ft x 8ft sections for a total of 3840 SqFt of art surfaces adjacent to the historic Acoma Curio Shop .
The wall will have two sides. The outer facade will be a "drive-by" gallery on Route 66 consisting of graffiti and urban street art. The inside facing sections, with its murals and mosaic art, will become an intrigal part of a contiguous half-acre sculpture garden.
International volunteers from the Workaway project have been charged with the duty of constructing the wall in San Fidel. Once completed, artists will be invited to transform the surfaces into an open-air, drive by gallery.
The main purpose of this funding campaign is to ensure the financial resources to see the project through to completion.
The minimalist design of the wall ensures that the cost for construction materials will be only a slight percentage of the total outlay for the project. Furthermore, because labor costs will be non-existent due to the support of the international volunteers, the bulk of the money raised through this campaign can be utilized in funding various artist residencies.
It is essential that the bulk of the money raised be utilized to fund a myriad of opportunities to compensate artists for their time and travel expenses. By having funds available to assist with art supplies, as well as room and board for resident artists, Annex:art can ensure that its mission of assisting with the career goals of emerging artists is met while creating a lasting landmark at this historical site.
The community benefits of the project are also a major reason to conrtribute to this campaign. San Fidel, an historic Spanish land grant located in rural Cibola County, was once a vibrant hub of commerce during the hayday of Route 66. With the opening of Interstate 40, the town was no longer a vital stopping place on the journey between Albuquerque and Flagstaff. The numerous motels, trading posts, service stations and cafes have long since closed, leaving San Fidel a virtual ghost town.
With Annex:art and Gallery 66 now operating in the town, as well as the soon to open Sol 66 Cafe with its music venues and subsequent artist amennities, the town is poised for a cuturally-driven revitalization.
Due to the international fame of the historic Route 66, annually hundreds of tourists stop in San Fidel to photograph the historic Acoma Curio Shop and the abandoned businesses of yesteryear. The creation of the wall will give the tourists yet another reason to add San Fidel to their list of "must sees" during their odyssee along the "Mother Road "
When finished, this project will be listed with many of the websites dedicated to the preservation of Route 66, including the National Parks Services' website .
Additionally, images of the project will be sent to publications and websites which deal directly with the marketing of Route 66. This also includes notifying and working with federal and state agencies focused on the economic revitalization of the communities along the infamous highway.
Artist who wish to become involved in this project have multiple opportunities to do so.
Some of the artist workshops being offered at this time enable artists to create a lasting contribution to the art wall / sculpture garden. Participating artists can directly contibute to the creation of art for the wall. A portion of the funds received through this campaign will be used to better promote and organize these workshops.
Another option available to artists is to schedule a self-directed artist residency in San Fidel. However, the ultimate goal, based on the success of this campaign, is to have a surplus of funds available for Annex:art to award multiple residencies through its ongoing artist-in residency program through a comprehensive call-for-artist program.
Any and all donations are greatly appreciated and will ensure that this landmark is created for future visitors to the area to enjoy. All individuals who donate funds through this campaign, regardless of the contribution amount will have their names included on the appropriate listing for public view.
Further information is available at: www.annexart.com
The wall will have two sides. The outer facade will be a "drive-by" gallery on Route 66 consisting of graffiti and urban street art. The inside facing sections, with its murals and mosaic art, will become an intrigal part of a contiguous half-acre sculpture garden.
International volunteers from the Workaway project have been charged with the duty of constructing the wall in San Fidel. Once completed, artists will be invited to transform the surfaces into an open-air, drive by gallery.
The main purpose of this funding campaign is to ensure the financial resources to see the project through to completion.
The minimalist design of the wall ensures that the cost for construction materials will be only a slight percentage of the total outlay for the project. Furthermore, because labor costs will be non-existent due to the support of the international volunteers, the bulk of the money raised through this campaign can be utilized in funding various artist residencies.
It is essential that the bulk of the money raised be utilized to fund a myriad of opportunities to compensate artists for their time and travel expenses. By having funds available to assist with art supplies, as well as room and board for resident artists, Annex:art can ensure that its mission of assisting with the career goals of emerging artists is met while creating a lasting landmark at this historical site.
The community benefits of the project are also a major reason to conrtribute to this campaign. San Fidel, an historic Spanish land grant located in rural Cibola County, was once a vibrant hub of commerce during the hayday of Route 66. With the opening of Interstate 40, the town was no longer a vital stopping place on the journey between Albuquerque and Flagstaff. The numerous motels, trading posts, service stations and cafes have long since closed, leaving San Fidel a virtual ghost town.
With Annex:art and Gallery 66 now operating in the town, as well as the soon to open Sol 66 Cafe with its music venues and subsequent artist amennities, the town is poised for a cuturally-driven revitalization.
Due to the international fame of the historic Route 66, annually hundreds of tourists stop in San Fidel to photograph the historic Acoma Curio Shop and the abandoned businesses of yesteryear. The creation of the wall will give the tourists yet another reason to add San Fidel to their list of "must sees" during their odyssee along the "Mother Road "
When finished, this project will be listed with many of the websites dedicated to the preservation of Route 66, including the National Parks Services' website .
Additionally, images of the project will be sent to publications and websites which deal directly with the marketing of Route 66. This also includes notifying and working with federal and state agencies focused on the economic revitalization of the communities along the infamous highway.
Artist who wish to become involved in this project have multiple opportunities to do so.
Some of the artist workshops being offered at this time enable artists to create a lasting contribution to the art wall / sculpture garden. Participating artists can directly contibute to the creation of art for the wall. A portion of the funds received through this campaign will be used to better promote and organize these workshops.
Another option available to artists is to schedule a self-directed artist residency in San Fidel. However, the ultimate goal, based on the success of this campaign, is to have a surplus of funds available for Annex:art to award multiple residencies through its ongoing artist-in residency program through a comprehensive call-for-artist program.
Any and all donations are greatly appreciated and will ensure that this landmark is created for future visitors to the area to enjoy. All individuals who donate funds through this campaign, regardless of the contribution amount will have their names included on the appropriate listing for public view.
Further information is available at: www.annexart.com
Organizer
Pablo von Lichtenberg
Organizer
San Fidel, NM