At this year's Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, one balloon stood out, not just for its bold design, but for the story it carries.

"Revolt Rising" is the creation of Virgil Ortiz, a celebrated Cochiti Pueblo artist and designer, known for blending traditional storytelling with futuristic style.

Coming Together: Project CommUNITY

Sponsored by Heritage Hotels, the seven-story balloon brings Ortiz's artwork to a whole new canvas: the New Mexico sky.

"To have this opportunity to design something like a hot air balloon, you just get this whole completely different pedestal of what people are used to seeing my artwork on," Ortiz said.

The balloon's design features characters from Ortiz's long-running series, inspired by the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 — a powerful moment when Pueblo

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