Thirteen University of New Mexico (UNM) community members showcase original artwork in the 2026 Art Calendar honoring New Mexico.
UNM Bookstores spearheaded the initiative to celebrate the state’s culture and landscapes. According to UNM News, New Mexico’s role as home to many and strong community spirit inspired the 2026 Art Calendar concept.
The effort began with a call for submission. It invited UNM students, faculty, staff, and alumni to reflect on one prompt: What does New Mexico mean to you?
Organizers accepted all traditional mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpture, and ceramics, requiring only a vertical final format. Over the following weeks, artists submitted dozens of entries, each presenting a personal perspective on the theme.
After extensive deliberation, 13 pieces made it, with 12 representing each month of the calendar and one for the cover. Together, the artworks formed a collective portrait of the state, varied in style, voice, and format, yet remarkably cohesive.
UNM Artists Share the Story Behind Every Piece
The UNM Bookstores team interviewed the creators to further honor their artworks and the inspirations behind them. Conversations, paired with each piece’s written reflections, revealed the artists’ creative processes and how New Mexico influences their perspectives.
“From seeing the art firsthand at the very start to selecting the pieces and interviewing the artists, the entire process was incredibly meaningful. The interview process brought this project to life in a way I didn’t expect, and hearing each artist’s story made the calendar feel less like a collection of images and more like a shared creative journey,” said Malia Dumlao, marketing assistant, UNM Bookstores.
Astrid Larson-Sherman sees New Mexico as defined by togetherness, a sense of connection she considers hard to find elsewhere. Kaitlyn Norlin describes the state as “a vibrant, enchanting place.” For her, New Mexico represents both origin and inspiration: “It’s where I was born and raised, a place where cultures flourish, the sun shines year-round, and there’s an almost mystical quality to everyday life.”
Meanwhile, other artists portray New Mexico as a place of transformation and refuge.
Ukrainian student Marta Gross shared how the state reshaped her understanding of home after leaving her country due to war. “That year of my life was very dark,” she said. “Coming to New Mexico, I fell in love with its beauty and its people. Even though I wasn’t born here, it became my second home.”
Alexandra Alvarez, who grew up in Albuquerque, spoke about the deep emotional ties she holds to the land. She recounted feeling love, grief, growth, and healing there. Her piece captures the warmth she feels when watching the skies glow at sunset. Building on that theme, Manuela Cardenas tried to express the fleeting stillness of sunrise and sunset in her work. She called it “that quiet moment when everything feels suspended in time.”
Charlotte Leachman’s piece centers on the Lobo itself, symbolizing protection, leadership, and harmony with nature. She describes it as reflecting “the adventurous, trailblazing spirit woven into the University’s identity”. The calendar’s cover features a hand-adorned steer skull by Susan Keoghan. She says the piece embodies New Mexico as “resilient, proud, and forever connected to the land we call home.”
2026 Art Calendar Available to the Entire UNM Community
During Hanging of the Greens and the Back-to-School season, the UNM Bookstores distributed more than 500 printed copies of the calendar. Community members visiting the store received the calendars.
During Hanging of the Greens and the Back-to-School season, the UNM Bookstores distributed over 500 printed copies of the calendar. Community members visiting the store received the calendars directly.
“The art calendar is a stunning representation of the talent within our UNM community,” said UNM Bookstores Director Lisa Walden. “The diversity of mediums and voices featured speaks to the heart of our campus culture, and seeing customers so excited to pick one up during Hanging of the Greens made it even more meaningful.”
The full collection is now available online. The public can explore the artworks, read artist statements, discover interviews, and download a free, print-ready version.