howling for you

Meow Wolf reveals Houston artists adding local flavor to its Fifth Ward project

Meow Wolf, the Santa Fe-based art collective that has become a pioneering leader in creating large-scale immersive art experiences across the U.S., definitely knows how to build anticipation. After announcing in 2022 that their fifth exhibition would open in 2024 in Houston’s Fifth Ward, they’ve kept up a steady stream of artful hints about the project, though the exact opening date for the Houston venue remains as mysterious as the story it will tell.

$\u200bSculpture installation by Ibraim Nascimento$

Courtesy of Ibraim Nascimento

Sculpture installation by Meow Wolf new ATTF member Ibraim Nascimento.

For Houstonians still a bit hazy on what exactly a Meow Wolf is, think of a trip to the wildest contemporary art museum you’ll ever see where can choose your own art adventure to explore, and all the sculptures, murals, video, light and sound artworks tells a piece of an overarching and futuristic narrative.

In February, Meow Wolf revealed the 40 acclaimed Houston and regional artists who would collaborate on the project. The list of local creative superstars included such well know artists as innovative theatrical set and puppet designer Afsaneh Aayani, art activist Kill Joy, and two longtime pillars of Houston’s installation and immersive art community in Dan Havel and Dean Ruck of Havel Ruck Projects.

But the Meow Wolf Houston surprises keep dropping with their most recent announcement of the Texas artists who will be part of their Art Team Task Force.

It takes a national and international village of artists to create each Meow Wolf immersive experience, but the company continues to adhere to its ideals of championing up and coming local artists with each new exhibition they open.

To herd all those artists and make sure each project resonates with both the Meow Wolf otherworldly aesthetic and also reflects some of the local art scene, the Art Team Task Force (ATTF) sends 20-30 artists to guide many aspects of the construction process. The team oversees the on-site installation. Meow Wolf describes the ATTF work as applying the final artistic “frosting,” to ensure “continuity and connections across installations and exhibitions; evolving and perfecting the process with each installation.”

They also want local artists on that team in ensure each project has the “Meow Wolfian” feel while also setting its roots into Houston’s unique art culture. To bring that Houston perspective to the project, Meow Wolf has brought aboard 10 Houston artists to be integral members of the Art Team Task Force, including Mathieu Jean Baptiste, Edilia Bautista Fine Arts, LLC, Hannah Bull, Caitlin Caselli, Mel Eason - Joybrush Signs, Patrick Medrano, Ibraim Nascimento, Lovie Olivia, Jebhani Vargas, and Jason Vines.

This Houston team within the larger ATTF team were chosen because they represent some of the diversity of Houston’s culture and range from muralists, sculptors, sign makers, and character designers. Many of these artists’ works have been featured in prominent galleries and several of the muralists’ work can be seen all around town in public spaces like Houston parks, schools, and business. As part of Meow Wolf’s task force, they’ll be a crucial part of transforming Meow Wolf Houston into an immersive experience that is all new while also being all Meow Wolf.

“ATTF is Meow Wolf in its truest form, bringing together artists across various disciplines and putting collaboration at the forefront,” task force manager Mat Crimmins said in a statement. “We are honored to have this lineup of multi-talented visionary artists joining the team from Houston.”

meow wolf art team task force exhibitions-visual-arts galleries arts-culture

Get inspired

Noted Houston street artist paints vibrant new mural at downtown venue

Photo courtesy of Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

GONZO247 poses in front of his new mural, "Houston is Inspired" inside Hobby Center

Visitors to the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts can now see an incredible new mural by one of Houston's most iconic street artists.Mario Enrique Figueroa, Jr., known as Gonzo247, debuted his piece, "Houston is Inspired" on Friday, December 12.

“This piece is all about capturing the energy that makes Houston, Houston," said the artist in a statement. "It’s that raw, vibrant hustle — the music, the culture, the stories we’ve been telling for generations. I wanted to create something that pulls people in, gets them hyped for what they’re about to experience. Every color, every shape, every detail is telling a story, a vibe. This ain’t just a mural or a piece of art — it’s a journey. It's about the grind, the growth, and the inspiration we pass on to each other, on and off the stage.”

The piece is called "Houston is Inspired," after the program at Hobby meant to showcase local performers by offering them week-long residencies on a prestigious stage. This season includes CJ Emmons's one-man comedy musical show I'm Freaking Talented; a rhythmic interactive storytelling experience called Our Road Home by Jakari Sherman; and Lavanya Rajagopalan's combination of music, dance and verse, Kāvya: Poetry in Motion. Information about all three shows, including ticket prices and availability, can be found at TheHobbyCenter.org.

The last show (debuting May 1) was a particular inspiration to Gonzo247. Viewers may notice a pair of hands in a traditional Indian dance pose, a direct reference to Rajagopalan's show.

The Houston is Inspired program was launched launched in the 2023-2024 season. In addition to the residency in Zilkha Hall, artists are given a $20,000 stipend for production and marketing costs. It is now a permanent fixture of the Hobby season. Applicants for future seasons can submit here.

Known for his original "Houston is Inspired" mural in downtown's Market Square, Gonzo247 has been an active force in Houston art for 30 years, including producing the video series Aerosol Warfare about the street art scene in the 1990s and 2000s as well as founding the Graffiti and Street Art Museum. He also served as the artist liaison for Meow Wolf's Houston installation. If anyone's visual vision is perfect to welcome audience members to shows highlighting homegrown talent, it's him.

“Art’s all about telling stories, but it ain’t just what you see — it’s what you feel," he said. "This piece speaks to the heart of everything we’re about: culture, rhythm, struggle, and triumph. When you walk into the space, you gotta feel the anticipation, the energy building up. That’s what I wanted to capture — the vibe of the whole city, the passion in the work, and that next-level hunger to rise up and create something fresh. It’s like the beat drops, and everything just connects.”

visual-art downtown mural gonzo247