Meow Wolf isn’t your ordinary art collective and their newest announcement isn’t your usual art programme. No, the Santa Fe-based arts and entertainment collective has joined forces with Phoenix-based True North Studio (TNS) to introduce a hotel-meets-exhibition concept in Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row Arts District.
Beginning in 2008 with about ten artists, Meow Wolf has shaken up traditional art models. Their immersive experiences, like House of Eternal Return, have attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors. Their quick success led to the company’s 2018 announcement that they would be opening new permanent locations in Denver, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., and the first artist-driven dark ride at Elitch Gardens in Colorado. Their newest Phoenix addition, though, will offer an entirely new way to experience the art created by their artists.
‘Guests are always asking about staying overnight inside of our House of Eternal Return project in Santa Fe, so doing an intertwined exhibition and hotel just made sense to us,’ said Vince Kadlubek, CEO and co-founder of Meow Wolf in a press release. So, that’s exactly what Meow Wolf set out to do. The Phoenix hotel will offer around 400 rooms for guests to experience. The rooms will each feature a different experience ranging from faux-glamping to capsule rooms to communal hostel rooms. Located at 811-817 North 3rd Street in the arts district, the project will boast a 75,000 square-foot exhibition space and 10,000 square-foot venue for music and performances in addition to lodging.
On February 22nd, to mark the launch of Meow Wolf’s partnership with TNS, Kadlubek and Jonathon Vento, founder and principal developer of TNS, came together at TNS’s monOrchid to screen their critically acclaimed documentary, Meow Wolf: Origin Story, for one night only. The documentary film takes viewers through the creation of the collective, from start to finish including its work with Game of Thrones George R.R. Martin and the debut of House of Eternal Return.
‘Our partnership with True North Studio in Phoenix is a perfect opportunity to explore this wild concept. Our intention for this venture is to collaborate with the creative community in greater Phoenix to produce an authentic, local statement of expression which will bring further excitement and creative energy to the Roosevelt Row Arts District. This project is going to be truly monumental on so many levels,’ continued Kadlubek.
Vento is excited for the collaboration that will highlight Phoenix and its commitment to local artists. ‘The Meow Wolf Exhibition and Hotel will be the new epicenter for the arts, entertainment and tourism in the State of Arizona,’ he said. ‘Meow Wolf’s entry into the Phoenix market represents a cultural shockwave and we are excited to partner with these amazing artists.’ Michael Nowakowski, Councilman of Phoenix, echoed Vento’s sentiments stating: ‘Meow Wolf will bring a unique arts entertainment component that will attract both our citizens and tourists alike to Downtown Phoenix.’
Though there isn’t a definite date for the opening of Meow Wolf’s project with TNS, it’s bound to be an exciting, novel experience for veteran Meow Wolf fans and newcomers, alike. Watch for the hotel’s details here.
