What is Meow Wolf?

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A DIY arts and music community?  An immersive experience, based on emerging technology plus storytelling?  A learning space with regular workshops, entertainment and art therapy?  A network of creatives who give back to the community?

Yes!  All of the above.

Technically, Meow Wolf describes itself as “an arts and entertainment group, based in Santa Fe, New Mexico”. Established in 2008 as an art collective, they have an installation called the “House of Eternal Return” which covers 20,000 square feet.  The experience, when visitors enter, starts with a deceptively normal-looking house.  Then, it progresses into a science-fiction and surreal experience, which involves both augmented and virtual reality.

And Meow Wolf is about to expand its community!  In 2020, they’ll open a new location in Las Vegas.  In 2021, they’re also scheduled to open a site in Denver.

Lauren Cason is Meow Wolf’s Creative Director of XR.  We talked about XR, the story of Meow Wolf, and what visitors can experience when they come to Meow Wolf’s main installation.   Lauren, who mentors young women in video game art and design, also offered some of her favorite (free) resources for game creation–and shared the name of a favorite book for artists!

On this edition of Over Coffee®, you will hear:

• How a serendipitous occurrence led to Lauren’s interest in XR;

• The ways  her creative journey proceeded from there;

• What first led Lauren to come on board at Meow Wolf;

• How Lauren herself describes Meow Wolf;

• Her definition of XR (what is it, anyway?);

• How the artists in the collective give back to artist communities throughout the nation;

• One of Lauren’s favorite memorable moments from the original installation, House of Eternal Return;

• The origins of the arts collective’s unique name!;

• How Meow Wolf was created;

• Some of the special arts events which the venue hosts;

• A look inside House of Eternal Return;

• What Lauren most wants to teach the young women whom she mentors, about game development;

• Some of her favorite free or inexpensive resources for game development;

• One of the best creative lessons Lauren has learned, since the start of her career as an artist;

• And, a book she especially recommends!