Blue Rain Gallery presents 100 Years of Route 66, a solo exhibition of new oil paintings by Dennis Ziemienski.
Stretching 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, Route 66 opened the way West at a time when the automobile offered a thrilling new sense of freedom and adventure. In this exhibition, Ziemienski revisits the legendary highway through colorful, narrative paintings filled with vintage cars, trains, neon signs, roadside architecture, and expansive Western skies.
The journey begins beneath the brilliant marquee of the Chicago Theatre in Chicago. From there, the scenery unfolds through small towns and open plains, past historic bridges, drive-in theaters, and glowing motel signs.
On the open plains of the Texas Panhandle, Midway marks the halfway point between Chicago and Los Angeles—a welcome milestone on the long road west.
Farther along, El Vado recalls the distinctive motels that once welcomed travelers in Albuquerque.
In Sidewinder, the road curves through the Mojave Desert as it nears the Colorado River, capturing both the beauty and unpredictability of the journey. The exhibition ultimately arrives at The End of the Trail, where Route 66 meets the Pacific Ocean at the Santa Monica Pier.
Rich with nostalgia, Ziemienski’s paintings invite viewers to imagine the people and stories behind these celebrated places. As the artist explains, “I show a story and let the viewer tell the rest.”
100 Years of Route 66: New Oil Paintings by Dennis Ziemienski is on view at Blue Rain Gallery in Santa Fe from July 31 through August 10, 2026.
Click here to view the show catalog.
