by Jessica Hughes
The towering castle of Ice World. Photo by Kennedy Cottrell | Courtesy of Meow Wolf
After four years in the making, Denver celebrated the grand opening of the highly anticipated Meow Wolf last month, finally making its way from fantasy to reality. As the company’s largest permanent installation, the immersive exhibit will showcase the work of over 300 artists, including 110 Denver artists within four stories of a 90,000 square-foot structure. Alongside the installations, the venue also hosts a large 450-person music venue and a 2,000 square-foot retail space and café.
The installation is called Convergence Station, where a mystical narrative follows the art on display through an immersive experience. According to the press release, “It is the first stop on a quantum journey of exploration and discovery as passengers traverse new worlds, and like all Meow Wolf locations, labyrinthine mysteries beckon from its vibrant walls, portals, and wormholes. Twenty-five years ago, a freak cosmic event merged four worlds from different universes, erasing the memories of all residents and spawning the mystifying disappearances of four women.”
The other world of CataCombs. Photo by Kennedy Cottrell | Courtesy of Meow Wolf
Visitors will be transported through different worlds including kaleidoscopic cathedrals, Corinthian catacombs, lush alien habitats, and dazzling and gritty cityscapes. In this hotbed of interplanetary cohabitation, memories serve as both currency and the key to unlocking the story behind the women’s disappearances and cause of the convergence — as do multimedia clues that reveal themselves to all the senses.
Muralists, sculptors, fiber artists, and technologists have come together to create a one-of-a-kind installation, including notable artists Kalyn Heffernan, Christopher Nelson, Everything is Terrible!, Molina Speaks, Sofie Birkin, along with Moment Factory and many others.
The venue is located at 1338 1st St., Denver, CO 80204, and is nestled in the middle of W. Colfax Ave. and I-25, in the heart of the Sun Valley neighborhood. Those passing by will recognize the stand-alone building, with its pizza-like shape, florescent lighting, and four floors of interactive exhibits interconnected through vertical travel and secret passageways.
“Denver’s art scene is active and vibrant, making it the perfect place for our next exhibition,” said Chadney Everett, Executive Creative Director of Meow Wolf Denver. “Convergence Station is Meow Wolf’s third permanent immersive experience, and it will truly change the way you look at art. This exhibition is unlike anything you’ve ever seen…from The Swamp to The Cathedral — there’s a strong narrative to be uncovered should you choose, alongside truly mind-bending art from the many talented creatives that have worked so hard to bring the vision to life. We can’t wait for everyone to explore.”
The Sa Lawn exhibit at Meow Wolf’s new Convergence Station in Denver. Photo by Kennedy Cottrell | Courtesy of Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf is a Santa Fe-based arts and entertainment company that creates immersive, interactive experiences to transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms of story and exploration. The company’s first location in Santa Fe opened in 2016, showcasing the House of Eternal Return.
Then in 2019, Meow Wolf expanded beyond Santa Fe and opened Kaleidoscape, the world’s first artist-driven ride at Elitch Gardens in Denver. Meow Wolf recently opened their second permanent installation, Omega Mart, at AREA15 in Las Vegas, and the third permanent installation is now in Denver.
Meow Wolf is now open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. until 12 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Hours are subject to change.
Tickets are available for pre-purchase for $45 for General Admission ($40 Children / Seniors / Military), and $35 for Colorado Residents. Visitors are required to pre-book a time slot for entry.
