PAPNM upcoming events

Mother Road Route 66 Paint Out Palo Duro Canyon June 01, Jul6 6, Aug 3 (01 Jun 2026)

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Mother Road Route 66 Paint Out

PALO DURO CANYON

Amarillo is the largest city on the 178-mile portion of Route 66 from Oklahoma to Texas and into New Mexico. The city is flush with historic sites, Route 66 memorabilia, hotels and restaurants, and lots of fun places to see.

While some Route 66 travelers enjoy the experience of staying only on the Mother Road itself, others take the opportunity to make an adventuresome short side trip to visit the spectacular Palo Duro Canyon which has been considered part of the the Mother Road Experience

Spend a day, or more, and enjoy the excitement of Palo Duro Canyon

Palo Duro Canyon

Located 25 miles south of Amarillo is Palo Duro Canyon State Park, the nation's second largest canyon system after the Grand Canyon. It is also 14 miles from the town of Canyon.

Palo Duro Canyon is the most spectacular and scenic landscape feature in the Texas Panhandle. It was formed by millions of years of water erosion by the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River and the West Texas wind.

There is an 800 foot descent to the canyon floor and more than 16 miles of paved road. Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers fantastic scenic views, historical sites and markers, picnic tables, public restrooms and showers. It also features miles of hiking and biking trails, horseback riding, and a souvenir shop with grill. There are a variety of camping and parking areas suitable for day trips, overnight tent camping, or extended stays in the largest of campers and motor homes.

PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK

JUNE 01, JULY 06, AUGUST 03

THREE OPPORTUNITIES FOR A ONE-DAY PAINT-OUTS.

We’ll meet at the top, just inside the entrance, at 8:AM. Be sure to get a map at the gate. There is an $8 entrance fee. Paint in groups or on your own. We will meet for lunch at the Trading Post on the floor of the canyon at 11:AM, or bring a sack lunch. Afternoon painting will be the same, on your own or in groups. It is a friendly, safe park, and you will encounter people from all over the United States and the world.

For overnight guests, there are a multitude of choices for lodging and meals. The closest town is Canyon, TX, and it has everything you could need. We can organize a dinner in Canyon if there is enough interest.

Paint Out contact is

LaDonna Daniel

806-676-0768

Text any time

Make sure you register for the 2026 Mother Road Event prior signing up for this fun Paint out

Mother Road Paint Out in Grants Mining District along Route 66, June 18, Lead Ginny Bracht (18 Jun 2026)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

You’re invited to join us for a one day paint out in Grants Mining District along Route 66. Your host is Ginny Bracht

As the State of New Mexico begins reclamation activities as part of their Abandoned Uranium Mine Cleanup Initiative, a ribbon cutting celebration will be held at the Mining Museum in Grants for the donation of historic mining equipment from one of the reclamation sites.

PAPNM and AAI members have been welcomed to paint during the festivities, remembering the history of the Grants Mining District along Route 66. The event is scheduled for 11AM to 1PM on Thursday, June 18^th. Meet at 10AM at the Mining Museum to paint during the celebration.

Artists are encouraged to paint at the Mining Museum during the 11AM-1PM event. Subjects include historic mining equipment (newly donated truck & winch, along with additional equipment on the grounds), food trucks, people gathered for the event, and the museum grounds.

Before or after the celebration, sites in Grants include the Route 66 drive through sign, Sands Motel and Grants Café signs (across the street from each other), and remnants of other historic signs. Nearby locations include La Ventana Arch and Sandstone Bluffs at El Malpais National Monument.

If anyone wants to stay the night before or after, there are classic Route 66 motels like Sands Motel, Southwest Motel, and Leisure Lodge, as well as chains like Holiday Inn Express and Best Western.

Daily Rhythm

• Breakfast (optional): Time and location 9AM at El Cafecito

• Lunch:(optional): Time and location Food trucks available during the event at the Mining Museum

Places to Stay

• Hotel classic Route 66 motels like Sands Motel, Southwest Motel, and Leisure Lodge, as well as chains like Holiday Inn Express and Best Western.

• Campground Joe Skeen BLM campground at El Malpais; Grants KOA

Paint-Out Locations

10 AM at the Mining Museum

Restaurants

El Cafecito

Optional Sightseeing

El Malpais National Monument

Host is Ginny Bracht. +1 (505) 359-8429 email ginny.bracht@gmail.com

Make sure you register for the 2026 Mother Road Event prior signing up for this fun Paint out

Mother Road Route 66 Paint Out ADRIAN and VEGA JUNE 26-27 (26 Jun 2026)

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Mother Road Route 66 Paint Out

ADRIAN and VEGA

JUNE 26-27

Adrian and Vega are two small towns that have battled it out over where the true Mid-Point of Route 66 is. Adrian is the official spot on the map, but rumor has it that the actual spot is between the two and closer to Vega. Both towns have some charming Historic spots, great for our Mother Road, Open Air Open Road Plein Air event.

ROUTE 66 DESERT ROSE MOTEL

1800 VEGA BLVD

806-267-2131

WALNUT RV PARK

ACROSS FROM RT 66 DESERT ROSE

806-484-1548

THERE ARE SEVERAL OPTIONS FOR MEALS, INCLUDING THE POPULAR MID-POINT CAFÉ IN ADRIAN. BRING SNACKS AND SANDWICHES AS WELL.

CONTACT:

LADONNA DANIEL

806-676-0768

Make sure you register for the 2026 Mother Road Event prior signing up for this fun Paint out

Mother Road Paint Out in Pecos NM; July 11 (Opens June 1) (11 Jul 2026)

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Mother Road Route 66 Paint Out

Let's paint the historic byways in Pecos New Mexico on the pre 1937 route 66 on July 11, 2026

This will be a One day Paint Out, hosted by Phyllis Gunderson (pagunderson@att.net, Phone 5054634621)

The Historic Route 66 cuts( through Pecos Exit 299 Hwy 50 to Hwy 63 (turn right through the village and back on HWY 25 at Rowe

Tentative Schedule

7:30 - 8:45 AM (Optional) Meet up at Frankies at the Casanova 12 S Main, Pecos for breakfast and discussion of painting spots
9 -12:15 PM Paint Pecos on historic Route 66
12:30 - 2 PM Lunch at Frankies at the Casanova
2:30 - 5 PM paint Pecos (if we have the energy :))

Possible painting locations

Pecos National Historical Park AKA the Pecos Monument 1 Peach Drive Hwy 63, Pecos, NM 87552
Forked Lightning Ranch ON HWY 63 (part of the Monument
Glorieta Battlefield marker on Hwy 50
Frankies at the Casanova 12 S Main St, Pecos, NM 87552-2508
Adellos and other buildings on Hwy 63 (Main St)

As an FYI the Pecos National Historical Park has two activities that day if you would like to take a break from painting:

Ancestral Sites Trail Guided walk at 10AM: Pecos Pueblo sits at the site of a unique ecological and cultural crossroads. Join a park ranger on this tour to learn about the Ancestral Pueblo, Spanish Colonial history, and the importance of this site to communities today. The tour begins at the visitor center and covers one mile with moderate elevation gain. Come prepared with warm clothing, water, sunscreen, and good walking shoes. Tours are free, and no registration is required.
Guided Tour Forked Lightning Ranch House Caravan Tour at 1:30 PM Wagons and cowboys and Hollywood, oh my! On this ranger-guided tour, learn about the Santa Fe Trail and area ranching, with stops at the Trading Post and historic Forked Lightning Ranch House. This tour requires limited walking, but extended periods of standing. Tours meet at the visitor center, and attendees then caravan out to the sites in their own vehicles. Tours are free and no registration is required, although space may be limited to 15 people. Unfortunately, the historic road to the ranch cannot accomodate trailers or RVs.

(https://www.nps.gov/peco/planyourvisit/calendar.htm#/?pageNumber=2)

Make sure you register for the 2026 Mother Road Event prior signing up for this fun Paint out

The Mother Road Open Air Open Road Paint Out and Show (Open Registration April 14, 2026) (04 Aug 2026)

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 06:00:00 GMT

The Mother Road Open Air - Open Road, Paint Out and Show

Celebrating the Iconic Route 66 in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas

This is a non juried plein air event open to artist members of Plein Air Painters of New Mexico (PAPNM) and the Amarillo Art Institute (AAI) Artists may paint plein air anywhere along the historic route 66 in either Texas, Arizona or New Mexico during this event. Participating artists may exhibit up to 4 paintings and one Tiny Treasure completed during the event at AAI Gallery. AAI is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization located at 3701 Plains Boulevard, Suite 72D, Amarillo, Texas 79102

event page

Registration is open to PAPNM and AAI artist and student members in good standing working in two-dimensional media, excluding photography and digital media. Your membership must be current during the entire time of the event

$35.66 is due at time of sign up (non-refundable)

Dates

April 14 to Aug 3 or full - Sign up period. Sign up are on PAPNM website. Must be in good standing of either AAI or PAPNM.
April 21 Sign up open Tucumcari Paint Outs
May 1 to Aug 28 Paint out period is anywhere on Route 66 in Texas and New Mexico
May 11 Pop Up Paint out ABQ
May 29-31 Tucumcari, New Mexico Paint Out
June 1 Palo Doro, Texas
June 18 Grants Mining District along Route 66, Lead Ginny Bracht
June 26-27 Adrian and Vega Texas
July 6 Palo Doro, Texas
July 11 Pecos, New Mexico Paint Out
July 24-26 Cadillac Ranch/Slug Bug Ranch, Amarillo Texas
August 3 Palo Duro Canyon Plein Air.pdf , Texas
August 28 - Last date to receive Shipped work at the AAI.
August 29 - 12 to 5pm Early Drop off at Lee Blakeney's Home in Santa Fe, NM. We will have a potluck, art materials swap and drop off of your wonderful work
September 1- from 10am to 4pm drop off ready to hang artwork at AAI.
September 3 and 4 - Workshop presented by PAPNM Signature Member Dick Wimberly, Details will be posted on websites
September 3 - AAI and PAPNM websites Gallery will go live.
September 4 at 4pm Reception at AAI to formally open the show.
September 4 to October 3 Paintings shall be available for display of up to 4 works plus your Tiny Treasure for each registered member of PAPNM or AAI.
October 3 Show ends.
October 7 Unsold work may be picked up at AAI TBD. Stay tuned for art pick up opportunities in New Mexico.

Event Team

Event Co-Chair - Phyllis Gunderson

Event Co-Chair - Kirk Winn

PAPNM Event Director - Marcia Williams, Marge Garcia Loehr

PAPNM Treasurer - Jane Frederick

PAPNM Sponsor & Donations Director - Deb Fowler

Pecos, New Mexico Paint Out Lead - Phyllis Gunderson
Tucumcari and Albuquerque New Mexico Paint Outs Event Lead - Stephanie West
Adrian/Vega, Cadillac/Slug Bug Ranch, Palo Doro, Texas Paint Outs Event Lead- LaDonna Daniel
Moriarty, New Mexico Paint Out Lead TBD
Amarillo Event Reception Lead - Lee Blakeney