516 ARTS

08/27/2026

08/26/2026

August 28th at 7pm - 516 WORDS is back, featuring Sarita Sol González! Link in bio to RSVP.⁠
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González is a dynamic performance poet hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Their poetry has been featured in numerous anthologies, and in 2016, they published their debut collection, Burquenita, with Swimming With Elephants Publications.⁠
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This series will present workshops and readings collaboratively developed with New Mexico Poet Laureate Manuel González.⁠
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Want to get involved? This event will also be your opportunity to learn more about future 516 WORDS workshops lead by Manuel González.

08/22/2026

August 28th at 7pm - 516 WORDS is back, featuring Kristin Patton! Link in bio to RSVP.⁠
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In 2026, Farias represented NACA as a youth poet at Brave New Voices, a national youth poetry festival and competition in Madison, Wisconsin. Her work is rooted in an understanding of storytelling as more than artistic expression. ⁠
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This series will present workshops and readings collaboratively developed with New Mexico Poet Laureate Manuel González.⁠
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Want to get involved? This event will also be your opportunity to learn more about future 516 WORDS workshops lead by González.

08/21/2026

August 28th at 7pm - 516 WORDS is back, featuring Kristin Patton! Link in bio to RSVP.⁠
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Kristin currently holds the 2019 title of Poetry Goddess of Albuquerque. In 2024, they competed with the Voices of the Barrio Slam Team, taking 4th in the Nation overall. Winner of 2026 New Mexico Entertainment's Best Spoken Word Artist award.⁠
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This series will present workshops and readings collaboratively developed with New Mexico Poet Laureate Manuel González.⁠
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Want to get involved? This event will also be your opportunity to learn more about future 516 WORDS workshops lead by González.

08/20/2026

August 28th at 7pm - 516 ARTS is excited to bring back our literary arts effort, 516 WORDS! Link in bio to RSVP.⁠
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Designed to highlight and celebrate the rich cultural narratives of New Mexico with a focus on strategically undervalued communities - including Q***r, Indigenous, and Latinx communities, this series will present workshops and readings collaboratively developed with New Mexico Poet Laureate Manuel González.⁠
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Want to get involved? This event will also be your opportunity to learn more about future 516 WORDS workshops lead by González.⁠
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Just as the visual arts on display challenge and reflect on these concepts, the 516 WORDS program offers a literary counterpart, allowing participants and audiences to engage with the same themes through the powerful medium of words. By fostering dialogues that traverse both visual and literary art forms, the program reinforces the exploration of identity, encouraging a deeper understanding of how culture, history, and personal experiences shape who we are.⁠
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The first reading, scheduled for August 28, 2026, brings together González and four recruited poets Keira Farias, Sarita Sol González, Savannah P. Rodriguez and Kristin Patton. The program will feature readings from each.

08/11/2026

Join us Saturday August 22 at 2:00 PM, for an informative and engaging training led by Jude Glazner of TGRCNM’s Education and Outreach Department, designed to build greater understanding, awareness, and advocacy for transgender and nonbinary communities. RSVP by clicking the link in our bio.⁠
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This Transgender Cultural Fluency Training lays the foundation for participants to gain a better understanding of what it means to be transgender, clarify common misconceptions about transgender people, become familiar with the challenges transgender communities face, and learn ways to be a strong and engaged advocate for transgender people.⁠
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Later that evening, we are thrilled to welcome poets Imogen Smith, Ryan Dennison, Jake Skeets, and Althea Baird for an hour of poetry readings beginning at 7pm. Both events are free and can be attended independently. We hope to see you there!

08/10/2026

As we enter an exciting new chapter with the expansion into our new facility, we are growing our team and creating new opportunities to help shape the future of 516 ARTS. We are looking for thoughtful, collaborative, and community-minded individuals who are passionate about the arts and believe in the power of creativity to bring people together.⁠
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We value curiosity, professionalism, adaptability, and a commitment to serving artists and audiences with care. Whether your strengths lie in programming, education, operations, communications, development, or community engagement, we encourage you to explore opportunities to join our team. 516 ARTS is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and encourages applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply.⁠
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Click the link in our bio to apply!

08/04/2026

Join curator Olivia Amaya Ortiz for a special tour of "The Rest Is Drag" this Saturday, August 8!⁠ RSVP link in our bio.
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Explore the ideas, artists, and histories behind the exhibition as Amaya Ortiz shares insights into how The Rest Is Drag reimagines Route 66 as a space of performance, identity, visibility, and cultural invention.⁠
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From lowrider culture and drag racing to drag performance and Indigenous artistic practices, the exhibition challenges familiar narratives of Americana and celebrates the communities that continue to redefine Route 66.⁠
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Join us for a conversation about the artists and stories that challenge familiar narratives of Americana and celebrate the communities that continue to shape Route 66.

08/04/2026

This Thursday, August 6, 530pm—Members are invited to an exclusive exhibition tour of The Rest Is Drag with curator Olivia Amaya Ortiz!⁠

Join us for an intimate evening as Olivia Amaya Ortiz shares the stories, ideas, and curatorial vision behind The Rest Is Drag. Guests will also enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne and the opportunity to hear from two of the exhibiting artists, Nate Lemuel (Diné) and Apolo Gomez, during this special members-only event.⁠
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Not a member yet? Join the 516 ARTS community and enjoy exclusive benefits, including members-only exhibition tours led by curator Olivia Amaya Ortiz, exhibition previews, early access to programming, and opportunities to connect with artists and fellow arts supporters.⁠
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Become a member and be part of the community supporting contemporary art in New Mexico.

07/25/2026

✨THANK YOU!🎉⁠
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The Rest Is Drag welcomed a full house for it's opening reception last weekend! The evening included music by DJ Solita Mamacita, food by Wolf ‘n’ Swallow, a powerful poetry performance from Manuel Gonzales, and two performances from Lady Shug. We are so grateful to you all coming out for our LAST OPENING in our current location. See the full album via the link in our bio!⁠
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Missed the opening? No problem! You can now sign up for the Exhibition Tour with Curator Olivia Amaya Ortiz, Saturday, August 8 at 2 pm. Visit 516arts.org/events for more information.⁠
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Discover the stories behind The Rest Is Drag as curator Olivia Amaya Ortiz leads a tour exploring Route 66, LGBTQIA+ histories, and the transformative power of contemporary art.⁠
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Photos by Tara Armijo-Prewitt, Crush Diaz & Daniel Ulibarri.⁠
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Visit us and explore work by featured artists Vita Kari Chris E. Vargas The Perez Bros Christina Fernandez Justin Favela Jesse Raine Littlebird (Laguna/Kewa Pueblos) 𝓢𝓽𝓻𝓪𝔂𝓓𝓸𝓰 fronteristxs Eric Romero 𝔞𝔭𝔬𝔩𝔬 𝔤𝔬𝔪𝔢𝔷 Nate Lemuel (Diné) Rose B. Simpson (Kh’a’po Owingeh) Jonathan Loretto (Walatowa/Kotyit-i) and D.C ALLEN (Baaa t’ – chlish, Del Curfman) (Crow Tribe of Montana)