On November 1, 2025, Bernalillo County officials and the COVID-19 Memorial Foundation will begin construction on the New Mexico COVID-19 Memorial. The ceremony will take place at the Dr. E. A. “Swede” Scholer Regional Recreation Complex in Mesa del Sol, Albuquerque. This memorial is one of the first publicly funded state COVID-19 memorials in the United States. It is dedicated to New Mexicans affected by the pandemic.
Bernalillo County has named 13 regional artist semi-finalists, including Sean Flanagan, Joe Ray, and Karen Yank. Six artists will be selected to design metal panels for the memorial’s path. The panels will be installed along the walkway.
The memorial has been in planning for five years. It is intended as a place for remembrance and reflection. It will honor those who died from COVID-19 and recognize the work of frontline workers…