Cover Photo Caption: Los Lunas artist Molly Mendenhall paints a mural in the lobby of the New Mexico History Museum commemorating the centennial of Route 66.
Santa Fe, NM – Route 66’s centennial is being celebrated with a new lobby mural at New Mexico History Museum in conjunction with an exhibition at the Governor’s Gallery featuring all five finalists’ designs. A public mural unveiling will be held at the museum on Sunday, Jan. 4, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. The exhibit, “Mother Road: Route 66 in New Mexico,” opens at the Governor’s Gallery on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.
Los Lunas Artist Molly Mendenhall was selected to design and paint a mural of America’s most famous highway for the museum’s lobby. She was picked out of 190 submissions and has been painting the 26- by 11-foot mural since mid-November.
“I love being a New Mexican, so painting a mural commemorating the centennial has been a surreal and incredible opportunity,” said Mendenhall. “I have found so much of my own sense of belonging in and around downtown Albuquerque and its vibrant stretch of Route 66. I’m happy to be cultivating a network of creatives and small businesses and connecting with community-minded people.”…