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!