Winning Artists and their Artworks Revealed for New Mexico Lottery Zozobra 2025 Scratchers

ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Lottery has announced three winning New Mexico artists and their Zozobra artworks that will be featured on New Mexico Lottery Zozobra 2025 Scratchers.

New Mexico Lottery teamed up with the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe to commemorate the historic Zozobra celebration with a Scratcher. Zozobra Scratchers will go on sale March 5, 2025.

New Mexico artists were invited to submit their Zozobra artwork last fall for a chance to be featured on the ticket and in promotional materials. From nearly 200 entries received, three artworks were selected to display on the 2025 Zozobra Scratcher.

Zozobra 2025 Scratcher Artists with their winning artworks, from left to right: Raymond Archuleta, Elizabeth Dominguez and Rene Leninger

Raymond Archuleta, Medanales, NM resident, has pursued art since childhood. Raymond said, “My Zozobra painting symbolizes a 100+ year tradition that brings family, friends, and the community together.” In front of billowing grey smoke, his Zozobra figure poses with a pointed, raised hand above bright glowing flames. A Fire Spirt stands below, readying to end Zozobra’s reign of terror.

Elizabeth Dominguez, born in Durango, Mexico, and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been passionate about creating art since childhood. Art has always been her means of self-expression, offering her a sense of relief and emotional release. This is her first art competition win, and she admits, with a smile, that she cried a “tough” cry. Her piece, Zozobra, serves as a powerful symbol of release, capturing guilt, grief, anxiety, and self-doubt that often weigh us down. Zozobra’s intense gaze points directly at the viewer, representing how we carry our burdens in our daily lives. Elizabeth painted the eyes in a striking turquoise, a nod to New Mexico, the land she holds dear, and its beautiful people.

Rene Leninger, an Albuquerque, NM resident, sees art in everything, every day and believes that New Mexico is truly a special place. Rene said, “My Zozobra painting is a representation of the fact that we don’t have to do this alone. With the help of our friends, family, and community, there is strength in numbers!” The Fire Spirit Rene created is truly a magical part of the piece, as she takes command, even though she is very small compared to the extra-large presence of the looming Zozobra. The Fire Spirit is the hero, and Zozobra is no match for her. Rene explains, “as he burns, he vows his return next year. He can count on us being here to burn it all down again!”

Rene’s Zozobra will be the first image featured in retail locations this winter on Zozobra Glooms Collection boxes. New Mexicans will have the opportunity to leave their glooms behind in these special displays located at select retail locations in New Mexico.

All three winning artworks will be prominently displayed in advertising materials and on the tickets this spring. The Scratchers will feature prizes up to $25,000 and a second-chance promotion for a chance to win $100,000.

“Zozobra is a New Mexico legend quickly recognized in our state,” said David Barden, New Mexico Lottery CEO. “We are delighted to partner with the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe to bring this legend to life on a New Mexico Lottery game. And we are thrilled to partner with an organization that, like us, raises funds for New Mexicans.”

Raymond G. Sandoval, Zozobra Event Chairman said, “together, Kiwanis and the New Mexico Lottery are in the business of transforming gloom into hope! While Kiwanis ignites the spirit by burning Zozobra, a towering 50-foot effigy in Santa Fe, the Lottery fuels dreams by opening doors to education and opportunity for our youth. We couldn’t be prouder to partner in illuminating the path to a brighter future for all!”

Zozobra 2025 Scratcher Art revealed at the New Year’s Eve event on the Santa Fe plaza December 31, 2025

About Zozobra

This year will be the 101^st burning of Zozobra in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Zozobra is a 50-foot-tall marionette stuffed with items meant to be forgotten. He waves his arms and roars as his archenemy, the Fire Spirit, dances around him waving blazing torches. Thousands cheer as the Fire Spirit sets Zozobra ablaze and flames engulf his paper-filled form.

Staged by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, this annual event takes place at the end of summer to say farewell to worries and troubles of the last year and set spirits ablaze with hope and renewal.

Legislative Lottery Scholarships

Since 1996, the New Mexico Lottery has raised more than $1 billion for education and more than 150,000 students have attended college on Legislative Lottery Scholarships.