Life, food, events, and community in Albuquerque, NM

Holy Matatchines, Batman! ASI teens rock the Harwood with massive clay mural.

Check out some of these pieces from the Mayor’s Art Summer Institute (ASI) tile mural project taking place at the Harwood Art Center:

Pretty tremendous, eh? Would you ever guess this was the work of local teens? This mural, tentatively titled “Dance of the Matatchines” will be added to the existing ASI mural that has been growing on the Albuquerque Convention Center for the last four years. You’ve probably seen it gracing the southwest corner of the Center on Second Street just north of Tijeras.

And what exactly is ASI? The Mayor’s Art Summer Institute is a teen employment program managed by the Harwood and funded by the Youth Conservations Corps, Mayor’s Office and Urban Enhancement Trust Fund. It’s an outstanding program, originally started under the Baca administration, that pays teens to apprentice with a master artist and produce a finished work for the public to enjoy.

Yes, you read that correctly – they get paid. And they earn it, too! The program is extremely competitive and once the dozen or so participants are chosen, they get down to some serious business. All the work shown here (from design concept to tile making) was accomplished in just one month.

Let’s check out a few more images, shall we?

This year’s project features a number of fully costumed matatchines dancers in a Pueblo setting - massive pieces requiring tremendous skill and detail. Historical research, consultations with local experts, attention to proper color combinations, costuming details, dance poses, architecture, etc. have all been taken into consideration in the mural’s development. Just fantastic!

Want to support ASI teens? On August 8th, there will be an official dedication of the completed and installed mural at the Convention Center. The event begins at 9:00am at the Convention Center entrances on 2nd just north of Tijeras and will feature a performance by Matatchines dancers. Feel free to call us with any questions at 242-6367 or e-mail info@harwoodartcenter.org.

Otherwise, if you see the crew installing at the Convention Center, stop and say a few words, honk your horn in appreciation or generally gives props these inspiring young people for their remarkable efforts!

Tags: art, clay, harwood, institute, mural, summer, teens

Comment by Stephanie on July 17, 2009 at 2:15pm: Amazing

Comment by Friedje on July 17, 2009 at 2:34pm: I am in awe of this work. Seeing those teens work, their concentration, dedication and creativity is amazing. Their muse, Cassandra Reid, is a gifted artist and an inspiring teacher. Support this. Follow this process. Go see their work at Harwood and/or the Convention Center.

Comment by LenR on July 17, 2009 at 3:26pm: Magnificent stuff - go Harwood!

Comment by cathyray on July 17, 2009 at 5:37pm: this is so cool!

Comment by Scott Johnson on July 18, 2009 at 9:00am: That is some amazing work! I can't wait to see it finished.

Comment by cc on July 22, 2009 at 5:54pm: Thank you for letting us know about this, Harwood and thanks for supporting it. Cassandra Reid does amazing community art!

Comment by Alicia on July 23, 2009 at 11:19am: Wow! I thought Mayor Marty had cut funding for ASI? I participated in ASI one summer. I was lucky enough to complete one of the walls on the convention center, the sun which turns into a river. It was a great summer! Getting paid to create art is the BEST job I have ever had!