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Take Another Look:
"Appreciation and Appropriation in Public Art: Authenticity + Responsibility"
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Join us for the third episode in this three part series about Appreciation + Appropriation in Public Arts in New Mexico.
In this episode, host joni palmer is joined by Manny Manriquez, Deputy Director of Innovation & Commercial Development for the City’s Aviation Department and Regina Chavez Puccetti, former Arts Program Manager at the Albuquerque International Sunport / Aviation Department. joni, Manny, and Regina discuss the Dream of Flight Renovation, the Sunport Reimagined Art Project, and the role of committees in engaging in this conversation.
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Manny Manriquez serves as Innovation & Commercial Development Deputy Director at the City of Albuquerque’s Aviation Department. In this role, Manny is the lead spokesman and subject matter expert for the Dream of Flight Renovation and Concessions
Redevelopment Project at the Albuquerque International Sunport. Additionally, he oversees the Economic Development and PR/Marketing divisions in the department, guiding strategic development plans and contract negotiations, as well as internal
and external communications efforts.
Manny grew up in Oakland, CA and Albuquerque, where he attended Harrison Middle School and Rio Grande High School. He earned his B.A. in political science and Asian studies at UC Berkeley and his M.A. in International Affairs at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. Manny’s academic and professional careers have focused on various policy issues—especially commerce, trade, next-generation mobility, and national security—for nearly 20 years.
Manny returned to New Mexico with his wife and daughter in fall 2021, joining the City of Albuquerque in late March 2022. He’s a long-time, old-school country, folk, rock’n’roll, and heavy metal guitar player and vocalist. He also enjoys hiking and biking, and exploring the wide-open spaces of New Mexico with his family.
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Regina Chavez Puccetti recently retired from the University of New Mexico where she was Director of the Arts Leadership + Business graduate and undergraduate minors program, Faculty Advisor for the BA in Interdisciplinary Arts degree, Senior Lecturer II faculty member at in the College of Fine Arts, and Campus Project Manager for the Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP). She taught Non-Profit Arts Administration, Leadership for Creatives, Fundraising for the Arts, and the ALBS Internship Program. Regina was also Participating Faculty in the Museum Studies Program and previously was Professional Faculty at Anderson School of Management.
Ms. Chavez worked for the City of Albuquerque as the Arts Program Manager at the Albuquerque International Sunport / Aviation Department, as well as the non-profit, local government and private sectors in various leadership, staff, and volunteer capacities. Her professional experience includes arts administration, economic development, non-profit leadership, entrepreneurship, and higher education. She has presented nationally on topics related to airport arts programs and the creative economy and has served on many non-profit boards and committees.
Ms. Chavez was a violinist and pianist for forty years and is now painting and gardening.
| | Learn More About the People, Places, and Projects Discussed in Episode 22 | | City of Albuquerque Aviation Department | | The City of Albuquerque Aviation Department encompasses the Albuquerque International Sunport and the Double Eagle II Airport. | | |
The Albuquerque International Sunport is New Mexico's largest commercial airport, welcoming over 5 million passengers each year.
The Sunport Dream of Flight Renovation is not only an upgrade the terminal's aging infrastructure to enhance the safety and security of the facility, but also provides a reimagined experience for the millions of travelers.
The renovation project also included artwork acquisitions for the Sunport Art Collection.
| | | | The Double Eagle II Airport (AEG) is an active general aviation facility on Albuquerque's west side. There are approximately 240 based aircraft and 120,000 annual operations comprising training, military, air ambulance, charter, private and corporate flights. | | |
The Albuquerque International Sunport is one of the country's most culturally unique airports because of its New Mexican architecture and extensive art collection.
Over 140 works are in the permanent collection and can be found throughout the main terminal building, outside the ticketing level entrance, along Sunport Boulevard, at the Rental Car Center, and the historic Old Terminal Building. Artworks in the permanent collection are funded by airport revenue bonds.
The Sunport's temporary exhibits have gained international recognition and included collaborations with local artists, community organizations and museums.
Learn more about the Sunport Arts Program.
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In 1998, the Sunport Arts Program expanded its schedule of events to include a year-round series of concerts in the Great Hall of the airport terminal. The live music program, called Sunport Serenades, features an array of local talent, ranging from classical to soft rock, jazz and polka.
Performances take place 2 days a week, to entertain visitors, showcase diverse and talented performing artists and welcome travelers to the Land of Enchantment. The program is being expanded in 2025 to include 5 performances per week, incorporating a new stage in the newly renovated Sunport Food Hall.
| | Sunport Reimagined Art Projects | | |
As part of its Dream of Flight terminal renovation, the Sunport allocated $3.2 million - 3.5% of its total renovation budget - to support this art initiative. The new artwork acquisitions and commissions for the permanent Sunport art collection will offer travelers a glimpse into the rich artistic heritage of the Land of Enchantment, known for its vibrant cultural diversity, natural beauty, and deep-rooted artistic traditions.
The Sunport partnered with the City's Public Art Program for the Reimagined Art Projects. Public Art staff administered the call for artists and the Sunport Reimagined Art Selection Committee.
In May 2023, the Albuquerque Public Art Program and Albuquerque International Sunport released a call for New Mexico artists for artwork sites throughout the airport terminal. A total of 384 artist submissions that were reviewed by the Sunport Art Selection Committee.
| | In December 2023, the Albuquerque Sunport celebrated the opening of the new TSA checkpoint which includes 5 new works of art by New Mexican artists Alvin Gill-Tapia, Angus Macpherson, Deborah Jojola, Jesse Littlebird, and Virginia Primozic. | | Deborah Jojola, “Equilibrium,” 2023, fresco with earthen plaster and pigments | | Jesse Littlebird, “Monsoon season up near Abiquiu,” 2023, oil on canvas | Virginia Primozic, “Sailing,” 2021, paper on canvas | | Alvin Gill-Tapia, “Saints View at the Asissi,” 2023, gold and copper leaf and acrylic on linen | | Angus Macpherson, “Colors Above Jemez,” 2014, acrylic on canvas | | |
In February 2025, the City announced the selection of new installations in the main terminal by local artists J P 제피, Virgil Ortiz, Michael Toya, artist team Sky Candy, and Jodie Herrera.
Artwork installations will begin in Summer 2025 and will likely wrap up by the end of 2026.
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TSA Checkpoint: J P 제피, We are of the Mountain, mixed-media mural, 17’ x 50’ (above)
Virgil Ortiz, “Po’pay, Leader of the 1680 Pueblo Revolt,” metal sculpture with rusted textured detail, 10’ tall (right).
| | | Food Hall: Michael Toya, Of Skies and Songs, vinyl bulkhead mural, 7’ tall by 201’ long on 4 walls (above) | | | | |
Exit Corridor: Jodie Herrera, mixed-media mural (above)
T-Connector: Sky Candy LLC, Flight Through Time, low-rider inspired airplane installation conceptual renderings (left) The core team includes Rob Vanderslice, Joseph 'Blast' Leyba, Max Baptiste, Tommy Lomeli, Carl “Watermelon7” Anderson, Steve Mora, Dacia Vanderslice, Vicente Griego, and Sandy Johnson.
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Learn More about the Sunport Reimagined Art Selections:
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Learn more about the impact and appeal of art in airports.
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Stay tuned for future episodes about the artists and the artworks!
Next episode series will focus on the Public Art Census for Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, NM!
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