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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.”

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Musical theater veteran joins prominent Houston company

Courtesy of Stages

Stages has named Valerie Rachelle as its new associate artist director.

A Houston theater company is adding an accomplished artist to its ranks. Stages announced that Valerie Rachelle will be the company’s new associate artistic director beginning in January 2026.

For more than a decade, Rachelle has been artistic director of the Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland, Oregon, where she oversaw artistic vision and operations. That theater specializes in musical theater performances offered in a cabaret setting.

Rachelle comes to Houston with a career spanning nearly 30 years as a director and choreographer. She has extensive experience in developing new musicals and plays for regional theaters and opera companies across the United States, including the Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and Sierra Repertory Theatre. She was appointed to her position at Stages following a nationwide search.

“I’m beyond thankful for this opportunity to join this incredible company, and I’m excited to be a part of a creative entity that has a strong mission and vision as Stages,” Rachelle said in a statement.

In her role with Stages, she will support artistic director Derek Charles Livingston with season planning and casting; liaise with artists, press, and staff; and coordinate day-to-day operations for the artistic department. She will also assist with crafting educational materials, direct and choreograph productions, and serve as the primary liaison with theatrical unions.

“We are thrilled to welcome Valerie to Stages in this role,” said Livingston. “I have seen her work as a director and director choreographer — she's excellent. Those skills combined with her experience as a theatre artistic director and manager only further fortify Stages' commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement.”

Born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, Rachelle began her career as a dancer and apprentice ballerina with the Eugene Ballet Company before earning her BFA in acting from California Institute of the Arts. She received her MFA in Directing from the University of California, Irvine. She has held teaching and directing positions at numerous institutions, including the University of Southern California, Southern Oregon University, Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, and others. She has also served as a mentor through Statera Arts, an organization dedicated to gender equity in the arts.

Rachelle teaches musical theater, auditioning, and singing at Southern Oregon University when she isn’t on the road as a freelance director and choreographer. She’s also a classically trained singer and toured the world with her parents and their illusionist show as a child.

“Joining the team that has a long-standing reputation of excellence in theater is an honor,” Rachelle added.

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