40 Years of Recognizing Creative Excellence at the Creative Bravos Awards
The 2025 Creative Bravos Awards will celebrate nine recipients for their creative contributions to the community. The 40th installment of the awards, hosted by the Department of Art & Culture, is set for Saturday, March 22 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Albuquerque Museum.
“This year marks 40 years of the Creative Bravos Awards, an extraordinary milestone for Albuquerque’s creative community,” said First Lady Elizabeth Kistin Keller, chair of the Creative Bravos Awards committee. “For four decades, the Creative Bravos Awards have honored the artists, visionaries, and cultural stewards who shape our city’s identity. We hope to see many past award winners at this celebration, as their legacies continue to inspire and elevate Albuquerque’s creative spirit.”
The event is free, however space is limited. Reserve tickets at: https://tinyurl.com/3c3js7x8.
The 2025 Creative Bravos Award recipients include:
- The New Mexico Art League (Legacy Bravos recipient), a historic organization fostering art education and community engagement
- Eamon Quigley (Emerging Bravos recipient), a street artist whose work inspires beauty and dialogue.
- Madison Van Der Lingen, an eco-conscious fashion designer blending nostalgia and sustainability.
- Julia Munroe Mandeville, a cultural leader who has resourced thousands of artists through transformative programs.
- Casey Mraz, a multi-talented musician, playwright, and teaching artist enriching Albuquerque’s creative youth.
- Adolphe Pierre-Louis, an acclaimed photojournalist and cultural advocate promoting Haitian heritage and visual storytelling.
- Sherri Brueggemann, a visionary public art manager expanding Albuquerque’s creative expression.
- Naomi Natale, a socially engaged artist using large-scale art projects to address global issues.
- Keith Sanchez, a musician, educator, and community leader who inspires and empowers young artists and preserves New Mexican cultural traditions.
The Creative Bravos Awards, established in 1985, recognize artists, creatives, and cultural practitioners whose work contributes to Albuquerque’s cultural vitality and economic development. Since its inception, the Creative Bravos Awards has recognized more than 210 recipients who have contributed to the city's vibrant creative tapestry - ranging from those who have dedicated their life to arts and culture to those young creatives just starting to make their mark.
Rekindled and hosted annually by First Lady Kistin Keller and the Department of Arts & Culture since 2018, the Creative Bravos Awards recognize and celebrate the dynamic and diverse arts community that continues to enrich the cultural landscape of the city. The awards honor achievements in various categories, highlighting the exceptional creativity and dedication of artists, cultural workers, and organizations that have left an indelible mark on the city.
More information, including the Creative Bravos Living History Project, can be found at https://tinyurl.com/25ps65vd.