Richard Levy Gallery is pleased to present two coinciding solo exhibitions to commemorate the centennial anniversary of Route 66. Presented in the main gallery, is a selection of photographs by Nathaniel Tetsuro Paolinelli from the artist’s series Seventh and Central: Lowriders. A selection of paintings from the Route 66 Centennial Collection, by Jeffrey L. Newmann are featured in the back gallery.

Nathaniel Tetsuro Paolinelli
Lowrider Culture in New Mexico Lowriding is more than a car scene in New Mexico — it’s a deeply rooted cultural expression that reflects generations of pride, creativity, and community. In Albuquerque to small towns across New Mexico, lowriders are rolling works of art that embody the region’s unique blend of Chicano heritage, craftsmanship, and storytelling.

Born out of post-war car customization in the Southwest, lowriding became a form of cultural identity and resistance for Mexican-American communities. In New Mexico, this tradition evolved into a distinctive art form where cars are carefully restored, painted with intricate murals, and fitted with hydraulic systems that allow them to hop along Central Avenue or cruise through Española’s main street. Each car represents family history, artistic skill, and pride of place.

Today, lowriding remains an essential part of New Mexico’s cultural landscape. Car clubs and families gather for weekend cruises, parades, and community events that honor the tradition and keep it alive for new generations. Beyond the chrome and paint, lowriding is about storytelling — celebrating love of land, family, and heritage through motion and design.

As a documentary photographer based in Albuquerque, Paolinelli has spent years hanging out with and photographing lowrider communities across New Mexico — from the garages where the work begins to the streets where the cars come alive. His images aim to honor the people behind the machines, capturing the craftsmanship, pride, and cultural legacy that make New Mexico’s lowrider scene unlike anywhere else in the world.

Jeffrey L. Newmann
Motel, Air Conditioned, TV, Swimming Pool: These words, lit up in glowing neon, welcomed a generation of Americans to a good night’s rest just off the two-lane highway. I was one of those kids happy to tumble out of the station wagon and into the pool. Albuquerque, New Mexico in the 1950s was where my first memories were created.

I have walked through these doors, eaten in these cafes and slept in these motels. The art I make is distilled from that experience. This emotional response is what I’m most interested in.

Although there is an aspect of cultural anthropology in my work, I have a profound personal connection with my subject. I have made these paintings with hope that future generations may get a sense of an America that I once knew. –Jeffrey L. Newmann

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Exhibition Dates: October 28–December 5, 2025
Reception: Friday, November 6, 6–8 pm
Gallery Hours: Thursday–Saturday, 11 am–4 pm or by appointment
Location: 514 Central Avenue SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Contact: 505.766.9888, info@levygallery.com, www.levygallery.com @levygallery

Artwork and Information