Katharsis Media brought together a diverse group of artists who collaborated to create a “Puzzle Piece Mural” symbolic of the idea that though each piece is unique and different, they work together to give meaning and life to the whole. All pieces are of equal value and significance. 48 artists worked together to craft through words, poems, and a variety of visual art mediums, a mural using the motto “release the kreative”. 

The mural is comprised of 48 unique puzzle pieces. Artists were selected to ensure that the mural represents a diverse population representative of the rich and diverse heritage of Albuquerque. 13 of the artists are high school students, representing each of the city’s 13 public high schools. 4 elementary student artists worked with The Mural Project Lead artist, Michelle Korte, to create one of the pieces as a team. The other 31 artists are professional artists from across the city. 

Artists worked together to envision the final product and determine how the overall mural would represent the diversity of our city while still allowing each individual puzzle piece to be unique and tell its own story. The mural was unveiled at the ABQ Artwalk on July 9, 2021 and will be displayed in the KRESS building storefront from July 18-August 7th, when it will return to ArtWalk inside the KRESS building for it's final display. The Kress Building is located at 416 Central Avenue SW.

Individual pieces are being auctioned off via eBay to raise scholarship funds for visual and performing arts classes. The auction began July 9th and will run for 10 days (eBay's maximum). Pieces not sold within the 10 days will be rolled over into a new auction for an additional 10 days. This will continue through August 7, when the collection will be displayed one final time in the August ArtWalk. Pieces will be available for pickup at the August ArtWalk beginning at 8pm. Purchased pieces can also be picked up by appointment after August 9. 

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Click on a piece to learn more about the piece and the artist and to bid.

Photo credit: Tino Duvick  Construction by: Max Wagner

Project organizer: Candice Neu  Lead artist: Michelle Korte