North Middle School Students Unveil Meow Wolf Inspired Immersive Art Experience Exploring “The Unconscious Mind” (Photo) - 04/29/26
Colorado Springs School District 11 proudly presents the fourth annual immersive art installation at North Middle School, a powerful, student-created experience titled “Unconscious Mind.”
This one-of-a-kind installation is the result of a yearlong collaboration between Advanced Drama, led by Amanda Gaden, and Advanced Design, led by Cole Bennett. Together, students have combined performance, visual art, and spatial design to create an interactive exhibit that invites visitors to step beyond the surface of conscious thought.
The creative process begins each fall with a field study to Meow Wolf Denver, where students experience large-scale immersive storytelling firsthand. Inspired by that visit, students spend the school year conceptualizing, designing, and building every element of their own original installation, from initial themes and narrative development to set construction and audience experience.
“Unconscious Mind” challenges audiences to consider the hidden dimensions of human experience:
What are the corners of the mind that light doesn’t reach? Who are we when we dream? What fears and motivations lie beneath the surface?
Through immersive environments and student-driven storytelling, the installation pushes visitors to explore these questions in a deeply engaging and thought-provoking way.
The annual installation has become a signature creative experience at North Middle School, showcasing the power of interdisciplinary learning and student voice. By blending the performing arts with design students gain hands-on experience in collaboration, creative problem-solving, and artistic expression.
Community members and media are invited to attend the opening reception:
Date: Friday, May 1, 2026
Time: 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Location: North Middle School, Colorado Springs
Private tours and class visits are also available by request.
To schedule a visit, please contact:
Amanda.Gaden@d11.org or Cole.Bennett@d11.org
This immersive exhibition reflects District 11’s commitment to providing meaningful, student-centered learning experiences that inspire creativity, deepen critical thinking, and empower students to explore complex ideas through the arts.
Media Contact:
Cole Bennett
CTE Art Teacher
North Middle School
719-328-2455
