Filling the streets: ABQ Artwalk kicks off 2024 with first event on Jan. 5 with dozens of artists

Every month, droves of people descend into the streets of Downtown Albuquerque.

ABQ Artwalk takes place the first Friday of each month and takes thousands of hours to get the monthly event off the ground.

The first ABQ Artwalk of 2024 takes place from 5-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5, and the streets of Downtown will be filled with visitors, artisans and performers.

“Artwalk is a collective of artists and we found ourselves in the position where we were asked to do multiple events in a month,” ABQ Artwalk organizers says.

The first Artwalk was held in 2018, though the organization has been staging events since 2015. Organizers says what makes ABQ Artwalk unique is having local artists and performers participating in the event.

While the event has been growing over the years, organizers say there’s always a space problem.

“There’s not enough funding to make it any bigger,” organizers say.

Filling the streets: ABQ Artwalk kicks off 2024 with first event on Jan. 5 with dozens of artists

The organization makes due with its resources as it shuts down portions of Central Avenue.

The event is currently located on Central Avenue from Second Street down to Sixth Street, and then north to Civic Plaza and south to Hazeldine Avenue in Barelas.

Organizers say there is a waiting list for artists and organizers that runs about 50 deep. There are usually 80-100 artisans participating in each event.

ABQ Artwalk organizers say the goal of the monthly event is to stimulate foot traffic in the Downtown area.

“Albuquerque is the heart of New Mexico,” the organization says. “Downtown is the heart of Albuquerque. We want to collaborate with other parts of town and bring them to this area. It’s about cross-promoting business and art.”