New Mexico artists will join a nationwide arts initiative on Saturday, Nov. 22, with a public event at GIZMO Arts in downtown Albuquerque. From 5 to 7 p.m., local artists, performers and community organizers will participate in Fall of Freedom, a sweeping national movement inviting cultural workers across the U.S. to respond to what organizers describe as escalating threats to free expression and civic life.
The Albuquerque activation will include a large-scale hand-painted banner drop, a performance by High Desert Playback and community organizing efforts such as on-site ACLU canvassing.
Artist, educator and event co-collaborator Amanda Curreri said the national effort was intentionally created so local communities could shape their own responses. “It is one of those kinds of events that’s organized by a smaller group of people, mostly artists activists in New York City,” says Curreri. “But they designed it so that it could be picked up across the whole country by artists in different communities.”
That open model gives artists a meaningful way to respond to the political moment. “As artists, this is a moment where we actually can make an impact, right, graphically, emotionally and poetically with posters and performance,” says Curreri. “Them creating this container feels really rich for us to respond, not in anger, but sort of in love, in community, in action.”
The participating artists in Albuquerque came together informally through personal connections and community networks. “Our group here in Albuquerque is just reflective of our social group here,” says Curreri.
The collaborators include UNM faculty, current and former students, longtime arts organizers and local artists not connected to the university. “I think it was just word of mouth. ‘Hey, do you want to be involved in this? This thing is happening,’ and it’s still growing. People just keep showing up, helping us paint,” says Curreri.
Saturday’s event is deliberately open and communal. Curreri described it as a gathering where people can connect, build relationships and create future collaborations. Organizers hope the energy of the banners, the performance and the collective work behind them will spark new friendships long after the event ends.
The banners themselves, created collaboratively, blend political commentary with imagery meant to evoke resilience. Curreri said the group wanted the message to resonate across their varied identities and roles, which include parents, teachers, queer community members, organizers and more. The design includes the idea of “justice failed,” but pairs it with flowers with “pretty strong roots,” a way to center love even amid anger and fear. “The banners are based in love,” she said.
For Curreri, one of the most meaningful aspects of Fall of Freedom is how it connects Albuquerque to a broader national dialogue. “It connects us in Albuquerque to the larger dialog happening across the country,” says Curreri. “I’m really grateful and excited for Albuquerque to be on that map with the other artists in other cities.”
The Fall of Freedom initiative launches nationwide this weekend, activating galleries, museums, theaters, libraries and community spaces in dozens of cities.
Fall of Freedom Banner Drop + Performance at GIZMO Arts
Saturday, Nov. 22
5 to 7 p.m.
GIZMO Arts (410 Central Ave. SW)