Tom Coffin remembers as a child being asked by his teacher to create drawings to help decorate his classroom for holidays and other special events.  From there, he eventually wound up in NYC where he worked for the NYC Historic Landmark Commission where he restored historic buildings, such as The Pierre, Carneige Hall, and the Smithsonian Museum for the American Indian.

Wanting to return back to the southwest, Tom entered a Route 66 competition to design a Route 66 monument as part of the state of New Mexico Highway Commission.  Tom tells all about the process from design, creating a miniature model for the selection committee, to taking up residence in Tucumcari to physically build the monument.

Join Anthony Arno as he talks with Tom Coffin, a Route 66 artist about:

• Tom’s earliest memories of Route 66
• Restoration career in NYC with the Historic Landmarks Commission
• NYC locations where Tom has worked: The Pierre Hotel, Carnegie Hall, West Point, Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian
• The New Mexico Route 66 Design Competition
• Physical description of monument with inspirations
• Physical construction while living in Tucumcari
• Other notable monuments designed by Tom Coffin
• Work of photographer Julia King, Tom’s wife
• Tom’s latest artistic direction

Website: Coffin & King Studios

American Family at McDonalds Headquarters