LAMSCD News:
Los Alamos MainStreet and Creative District (LAMSCD) is proud to announce the debut of Voltage Visions, the first project in a series of placemaking initiatives rolling out this year.
Funded by a grant from the Creative Industries Division of the New Mexico Economic Development Department (NMEDD), Voltage Visions transforms local electrical transformer boxes into vibrant public art. The murals are strategically located near three upcoming fall placemaking sites.
For this initial project, partnered with the Los Alamos Teen Center and hired local artist Margarita Ryan to guide area youth through the entire creative process. Under Ryan’s mentorship, the teens engage in concept planning, collaborative brainstorming, sketch development, surface preparation, and professional painting techniques.
On June 27, Ryan and the youth team painted the first transformer in the series, located near the Fuller Lodge Lawn and Wolf & Mermaid Enchanted Roasters. The overarching concept was generated entirely by the students through preliminary planning and sketching workshops. Seeking to blend local heritage with contemporary youth perspectives, the participants chose to inject humor and vivid color into the community while still recognizing its unique historical context. While painting is currently under construction, the piece is on track for completion next week.
As the project progresses, the youth plan to illustrate additional topics and accomplishments they wish to see celebrated.
“I would like the town to have something else to talk about and to see more humor, color, and art,” one of the students said.
Artist Bio
Margarita Ryan is an Argentine-born multidisciplinary artist, muralist, and creative director based in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Raised in rural Córdoba, Argentina, her early work focused on community-led art workshops and youth mural initiatives, which still inspire her approach to public art as a tool for connection and shared storytelling.
Specializing in community-centered spaces and art for children, Margarita uses a playful, symbolic, and emotionally resonant visual language. Her work aims to transform everyday environments into immersive spaces that spark wonder, curiosity, and a sense of belonging.
About the ACD Pilot Grant Program
In October 2025, the Creative Industries Division of NMEDD awarded 10 MainStreet Arts and Culture Districts (ACD) up to $100,000 each through the ACD Pilot Grant program for projects in 2026. The initiative encourages communities to utilize creative placemaking to integrate art and culture into public spaces, boosting social connection, community vitality, and economic opportunity. This one-time program aims to demonstrate that direct financial support of state-authorized ACDs drives increased foot traffic, creative infrastructure improvements, and local business growth.
LAMSCD’s grant project will feature two brand-new placemaking installations, alongside an upgrade to the 2024 project located in the Central Park Square alleyway (between LA Cantina and Integrative Health). These installations will include collaborative subprojects involving professional artists, game and graphic designers, local businesses, and youth, to activate and connect the three spaces. Voltage Visions marks the first publicly visible component of this portfolio, with all grant-related projects slated for completion by December 2026.
Arts and Culture District Background
LAMSCD achieved state-authorized ACD status in 2009 and developed its initial Creative District Plan in 2011, which was formally adopted by the Los Alamos County Council in 2012. LAMSCD is currently updating this plan through a Service Request with New Mexico MainStreet. Arts and Culture District designations provide specialized benefits to MainStreet Districts, including technical assistance for businesses and tax advantages for historic properties.
Acknowledgments
With deep gratitude to the Creative Industries Division for this grant award, Los Alamos MainStreet and Creative District would also like to thank the partners and sponsors making this vision a reality: the Family YMCA’s Teen Center (including Director Eli Argo and Youth Mobilizers Coordinator Kathryn Pocaterra), the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities, artist Margarita Ryan, and New Mexico MainStreet.
About Los Alamos MainStreet and Creative District:
As an award-winning district in the state of New Mexico, Los Alamos MainStreet & Creative District (LAMSCD) focuses on the town’s connections to a multi-layered history and cutting-edge science by facilitating community events, entrepreneurial programs and support for the local business community that contributes to the vitality of its two designated districts: one in downtown Los Alamos and one in the commercial area of White Rock. It also oversees MainStreet MarketPlace, a co-working and business development hub, and the Los Alamos Farmers’ Market.
Los Alamos MainStreet & Creative District is a program of Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation (LACDC), a private, not-for-profit economic and community development organization. LACDC serves as the umbrella organization for Los Alamos Main Street & Creative District, Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce, Discover Los Alamos, Los Alamos Small Business Center, and Los Alamos Research Park.