Happy Fall from ALMA!

We have successfully completed another ALMA Summer Institute program amidst this pandemic.  We had a smaller crew, wore masks, socially distanced and disinfected frequently!  We were so sad we weren’t able to have an Open House or Dedication this year.  However, we will be airing a “Virtual Mural Dedication” soon on our social media, keep an eye out 🙂

Apprentices working on Migrating Wisdome project

ALMA was featured in TileLetter magazine in September, take a look!

We are reimagined SOMOS graphic for 2020

ALMA & SOMOS

“Sunflowers Across Burque” was generously funded by SOMOS ABQ & ALMA.  It is a collaboration between  La Academia De Esperanza Charter High School and ALMA to create singular handmade mosaic sunflowers and painted sunflowers across Burque. We see the sunflower as a prominent and symbolic flower in our state.  For us, it is a reference to Tupac Shakur’s poem “The Rose Through the Concrete”. 

Here in Albuquerque, NM, it is the sunflowers through the concrete/dirt, there is beauty and strength that can come from the grittiness of life.  Sunflowers also have the ability to suck toxins from the soil, to allow it to thrive.  It is a way to bring strength, color, beauty and resilience to our neighborhoods with our own hands.  We have created a video with Keith Scott that demonstrates the collaborative creating, the final product with creative narration, photographs and aerial footage. 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

It is our hope that these sunflowers will eventually bloom across the city, on businesses and throughout neighborhoods.  If you are interested purchasing a painted, tile or painted/tile sunflower at your business or home please email:

As always, thank you all for your continued support of our program.  

Stay healthy, stay safe, stay creative.