View as a webpage / Share

Public Art News

"La Corriente del Valle." Lead artist: Joe Stephenson; project manager: Katia Perez; mural apprentices: Carlos Gabaldon, Angel Pavia, Izaiah Ramos, Maia Seidel-Zieher, Dianna Rodriguez, Estefania Valencia, Marquee Ramirez, Santiago Roybal and Kylee Mestas.

Featured Artist: Joe Stephenson

This month, we're featuring the work of artist Joe Stephenson and the Working Classroom project, "La Corriente del Valle."

Completed in 2014, this large mural has become a beloved fixture in the BernCo Public Art Collection, depicting the life and culture of the South Valley and surrounding communities. The mural captures portraits of the Rio Grande as it flows through the past, present, and future identities of the South Valley. Starting with the foundation of the sun, the river’s current navigates historic images of South Valley farmers, communal celebrations, local traditions like the annual Muertos y Marigolds parade, classic car culture, the burning of El Kookooee, and optimistic visions of the future with solar power and sunflowers.

The mural also features embedded technology with QR codes for a more interactive experience. The creation process engaged the community by mentoring young South Valley artists aged 12-21 and involving residents in generating themes and imagery for the mural. Lead artist Joe Stephenson is a long-time South Valley resident and founder of Working Classroom’s youth-engaged mural program.

We invite you to visit Joe Stephenson and the Working Classroom project, "La Corriente del Valle" at the South Valley Aquatic Center, 3912 Isleta Blvd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105.

Questions? Please contact Public Art Project Coordinator, Kent Swanson at publicartprogram@bernco.gov.

Do you have questions about the Bernalillo County Public Art program?

Please reach out to us with any questions or comments you may have.

Email: publicartprogram@bernco.gov
Phone: 505-355-1994

The Bernalillo County Arts Board:

The Bernalillo County Arts Board is guided by the following mission:

“Public art has the power to inspire curiosity, encourage contemplation, facilitate dialogue, foster community engagement, and create a sense of place. Located throughout the county, the Bernalillo County public art collection enhances quality of life through the acquisition of exceptional works of art by artists at various career stages.”

Learn more about the Bernalillo County Arts Board.

About Us

Bernalillo County's Public Art Program was established in 1992 with the adoption of the county’s Art in Public Places Ordinance, enacted in 1992 (revised 1997).

The county's Public Art Program believes that public art can:

• Energize public spaces, inspire thought, and transform live, work and play places
• Heighten awareness, question assumptions, transform the landscape, express community values, and help define a community’s identity
• Have an economic benefit for a community by attracting visitors, and by supporting artists and local businesses

The program currently has more than 500 works of art, most of which can be viewed via the Public Art Collection Story Map and Betty Sabo Inventory Story Map.