CFA- Ode to the Mother Road: Rt 66 Centennial Show
Route 66, America’s first interstate road that eventually ran from Chicago to Los Angeles, was started in 1926. It was cobbled together mainly from existing dirt roads and wasn’t fully paved until 1938. New Mexico had the longest section of Route 66 totaling 487 miles. Over the years, new interstate highways were built, sometimes right on top of Route 66, and eventually what was left of the naissant interstate came to be called Historic Route 66. Art Deco architecture and the early use of neon signs lighting the roadside diners and motor courts have become part of America’s 20th century visual history. In celebration of the historic highway’s 100 year anniversary, Step Up Gallery invites artists statewide to submit original works of art honoring its centennial anniversary.
WHAT: The art may be depictions of the existing remnants of the historic route, painted on site in plein air. Or the art may honor what once was, inspired by historic photographs or an artist’s informed imagination. The mediums employed may include painting with oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache or pastels. Drawings in any variety of mediums, prints, collages and mixed media are also welcome. Fiber art will be accepted as well. No photography please, unless it is utilized in a collage.
WHEN: The exhibit will run from June 19 – July 23, 2026.
Application Deadline is Monday, June 1, end of day.
Art Delivery is Saturday, June 13: 10am- 3:00pm OR Monday, June 15: 1 – 6pm.
Opening Reception is Saturday, June 20: 2- 3:30pm. If possible, please bring a snack or dessert to pass to the reception by 1:45pm. The gallery will provide drinks.
Show closes Thursday, July 23 at 8:00pm.
Art Pick-Up is Friday, July 24: 2:00- 5:45pm OR Saturday, July 25: 10:00am- 3:00pm (If you are unable to deliver or pick-up art during the above times, please email Diane Stoffel, Step Up Gallery manager at diane@stepupgallery.org and alternative arrangements will be considered.)
WHERE: Step Up Gallery at Mesa Public Library (upper level),2400 Central Ave. Los Alamos, NM 87544
DETAILS: This is a NON-Juried Exhibit. You may enter up to 10 works of art honoring Rt. 66. All art must be framed or gallery wrapped with a wire across the back for hanging. Framed work may not exceed 36″ in either dimension. Fiber art does not require frames but must be designed to hang flat using 1/4 wide hook. Please make sure art and frame are clean.
Your art may be for sale; however, you must handle the sale yourself. We will include contact information on the wall tags. We ask that the buyer wait until the end of the show to remove sold art (if sale depends on immediate removal from show, exceptions will be made). Step Up Gallery does not take any commission.
Download the CFA/application below. The application is a “fillable” pdf. You may type right into the blanks on a computer or smart phone. There is room for 5 entries on the application. If you wish to enter more than 5, use a second application. On the 3rd page, you will be asked to release Los Alamos County, the library and gallery managers from liability if your artwork is damaged or stolen during the course of the show. This is a prerequisite to showing in Step Up Gallery. You may simply type in your signature. Upon finishing your application, please “SAVE AS” and add your last name and first initial to the beginning of the file name. We also request that you email a jpeg file of each entry of your finished art at 300 dpi, 6″ minimum for smallest dimension. Please send jpegs that are evenly lit, squared up and any unnecessary background is cropped off. There is no charge to enter this exhibit.
If you are unable to use a fillable PDF, then download the CFA/application and print out the application and Release of Liability on legal size paper (8.5 x 14″), fill it out with pen and mail it to the gallery’s address noted above.
Please Note: Step Up Gallery managers reserve the right to reject any entry for any reason.
If you have any questions about participating in this exhibit, please email or call Diane Stoffel, diane@stepupgallery.org or 505-551-4577 (during business hours please).