Where it started...
The Arizona Route 66 Museum located in the Kingman Visitor Center had donated a space to the Association to use as a meeting room. It was used for years and collected posters, paintings, and Route 66 related gifts over the years that it eventually came a storage space. The Association became more technological and held it's meetings in another room to accommodate board members who virtually attended meetings. The room needed to be renovated and repurposed. The plaster on the walls was repaired and everything received a fresh coat of paint. New lighting fixtures were installed along with a Z shaped wall to displaying art. The Association wants to highlight a Route 66 artist each year. It's a way for the Association to give back to the artist community on 66 and also add a new exhibit to the Arizona Route 66 Museum for repeat visitors.
The Arizona Route 66 Museum is open Monday - Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with last admittance at 3:30 p.m.
The Arizona Route 66 Museum is open Monday - Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with last admittance at 3:30 p.m.
Current Exhibitor
March 2021 - Present
Route 66 Images - Memories from the Mother Road
Efren Lopez started Route 66 Images to enrich the traveling experience of visitors to the Mother Road by creating fine art photography to create calendars, postcards, posters, puzzles and fine-art prints available for purchase in gift shops along the Main Street of America.
Efren was born in a small town in Guatemala and immigrated to Phoenix, Arizona, with his mother and younger brother. His love for art and design manifested at an early age. At home he spent countless hours sketching cars, buildings, and the desert landscape.
After studying visual communication at Phoenix College, Efren enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in 1998 and was assigned as a combat photojournalist to the 4th Combat Camera Squadron, March Air Reserve Base, California. He has 21 years of photojournalism experience, having honed his craft documenting numerous military exercises and real-world missions. He also began his career teaching photography at his alma mater. Efren captures stunning images in his home state of Arizona as well as Route 66. He has a keen eye for all types of photography including architecture, landscapes and people in their environment.
In 2009, Efren deployed to Afghanistan, where he documented combat and humanitarian missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was awarded the Army Combat Action Badge and the Air Force Combat Action Medal for his actions while deployed, and shortly thereafter was selected for the Military Visual Journalism program at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Communication. He is the only Reservist of any branch to attend the prestigious program in its 56-year history.
In 2014, armed with his camera, a couple days’ worth of clothes, and a few hundred bucks, Efren started traveling Route 66, drawn by its kitschy American stories and its unexpected beauty. Initially sleeping in his truck or couch surfing living a bohemian life style, experiencing the route as a nomad, like so many traveling artists before him.
Efren is the proud father of his two children, Sydney and Brandon. He currently lives in Camp Verde, Arizona.
March 2021 - Present
Route 66 Images - Memories from the Mother Road
Efren Lopez started Route 66 Images to enrich the traveling experience of visitors to the Mother Road by creating fine art photography to create calendars, postcards, posters, puzzles and fine-art prints available for purchase in gift shops along the Main Street of America.
Efren was born in a small town in Guatemala and immigrated to Phoenix, Arizona, with his mother and younger brother. His love for art and design manifested at an early age. At home he spent countless hours sketching cars, buildings, and the desert landscape.
After studying visual communication at Phoenix College, Efren enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in 1998 and was assigned as a combat photojournalist to the 4th Combat Camera Squadron, March Air Reserve Base, California. He has 21 years of photojournalism experience, having honed his craft documenting numerous military exercises and real-world missions. He also began his career teaching photography at his alma mater. Efren captures stunning images in his home state of Arizona as well as Route 66. He has a keen eye for all types of photography including architecture, landscapes and people in their environment.
In 2009, Efren deployed to Afghanistan, where he documented combat and humanitarian missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was awarded the Army Combat Action Badge and the Air Force Combat Action Medal for his actions while deployed, and shortly thereafter was selected for the Military Visual Journalism program at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Communication. He is the only Reservist of any branch to attend the prestigious program in its 56-year history.
In 2014, armed with his camera, a couple days’ worth of clothes, and a few hundred bucks, Efren started traveling Route 66, drawn by its kitschy American stories and its unexpected beauty. Initially sleeping in his truck or couch surfing living a bohemian life style, experiencing the route as a nomad, like so many traveling artists before him.
Efren is the proud father of his two children, Sydney and Brandon. He currently lives in Camp Verde, Arizona.
Previous Exhibitors
March 2020 - February 2021 Bob Waldmire
Bob Waldmire, self taught Route 66 artist, was the first artist to be honored in the Route 66 Art Exhibit Space. He was once a member of the Association and was the first to purchase Hackberry General Store and start a visitor center/store there. He spent many years driving Route 66 and selling his drawings in the form of post cards, posters, and maps. His art is still sold in the Route 66 Gift Shop in the Powerhouse.
Bob Waldmire, self taught Route 66 artist, was the first artist to be honored in the Route 66 Art Exhibit Space. He was once a member of the Association and was the first to purchase Hackberry General Store and start a visitor center/store there. He spent many years driving Route 66 and selling his drawings in the form of post cards, posters, and maps. His art is still sold in the Route 66 Gift Shop in the Powerhouse.
