A plein air exhibit celebrating the Route 66 Centennial and focusing on scenes along the route through New Mexico, Arizona, and California has been organized by Santa Fe Artists Carole Belliveau, Stephanie West, Wendy Ahlm, and Elizabeth May. Their eclectic paintings honor the transcontinental “Mother Road,” and will be on display and available to purchase at the Luna Gallery in San Juan Bautista, CA from June 21 to August 10, 2025, with works from twenty artists.
“We are thrilled to showcase this body of work that captures the iconic Route 66,” said Jennifer Colby, Ph.D., Luna Gallery President. “Our fine art gallery, located in a historic town, provides the community a place to experience art and the artist’s vision.”
Stephanie West organized a trip for twelve artists in October 2024 to spearhead the project and paint locations along Route 66. Many old buildings and artifacts are still standing since the mid 20th Century, so the plan was to meet at the Safari Hotel in Tucumcari, New Mexico and head out to paint from there. As plein air artists, capturing a bygone way of life inspired the group to paint every vintage building, neon sign, and site from the past that deserves its moment in paint.
Wendy Ahlm provided photos of the group and videos to augment the exhibition. At the end of the weekend adventure, an impromptu group show was held at the Safari, presenting more than forty works they created in just two days. All the paintings were lined up on the orange and teal blocks of the Safari’s walls.
Later Stephanie West took part of the group to her family’s ranch, where they painted tractors, windmills, and cows, while some of the painters headed home and several more local artists joined. Elizabeth May volunteered to drive the paintings to the Luna Gallery in California, at times along the original Route 66.
The Reception for “Painting Route 66-An Artist Road Trip” is June 21 from 5 – 7 PM PT. Visit the gallery website at www.lunagallery.art for inquiries about paintings.
