Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
The mission at Meow Wolf is for art to come to life.
Editor's note: As we begin to see COVID-19 in our rear-view mirrors, travelers are cautiously returning to the roads. This series offers destination options for eastern New Mexico-area residents looking to get away for a few days.
Imagine a world where art comes to life. Portals and exotic adventures open up with a simple touch of imagination. In Santa Fe, this very atmosphere materializes.
Meow Wolf's House of Eternal Return is an explorable art and entertainment experience that takes its participants on a macrocosmic adventure. The house consists of over 70 rooms of interactive art. House of Eternal Return has a storyline based on the Selig, a fictional family.
The family mysteriously disappears after its Victorian manor dissolves the nature of time and space. In order to discover what happened, participants examine the clues around the house and follow secret passageways that lead to different dimensions. Each individual chooses their own path by walking, climbing, and crawling through an imaginative multiverse.
In January 2015, George R.R. Martin, creator of Game of Thrones, purchased a vacant bowling alley. He pledged $2.7 million to renovate and lease it. This was supplemented by additional funding of $50,000 from the city of Santa Fe and $100,000 from a crowdfunding campaign.
From there, Meow Wolf used these investments to recreate the bowling alley into the art complex it is now. The installation of House of Eternal Return opened on March 17, 2016. It received a Thea award from the Themed Entertainment Association in 2017. It has been cited as the 10th best music venue in the United States.
The House of Eternal Return is appropriate for all ages and most of the exhibit is ADA accessible. Masks are required to be properly worn by all guests.
Origin story:
Meow Wolf started in 2008 as a small group of artists who shared an interest in publicly sharing their art, as well as broadening the art experience within Santa Fe. The group of sculptors, architects, performers, painters, and writers lead to Meow Wolf's unique style of immersive and interactive art.
Where is it:
The Meow Wolf House of Eternal Return is 3 1/2 hours northwest of Clovis. Its address is 1352 Rufina Cir Santa Fe, NM 87507.
Hours and admission:
The House of Eternal Return is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and is closed on Tuesdays.
Cost is $35 for ages 14 and up, $25 for children 5-13 (younger children get in for free), $30 for seniors 65+, and $30 for military. You get $10 off as a New Mexico resident. Residents and military are required to bring an ID in order to get the discount.
Cosmic refreshments:
Along with exploration of various dimensions and a trip to the shop, the House of Eternal Return is also home to the Float Cafe and Bar. Workers craft spirits, coffees, teas, cocoas and many other refreshments. They offer a full bar, local beers on tap, and coffees for you to experience on your trip. One of their most popular beverages is the "Meowgarita." It is a combination of reposado tequila, cointreau, agave, fresh lime juice and butterfly pea flower tea topped with a sweet puffy colorful cloud.
The bar does not serve food. Kids are allowed to accompany parents during normal business hours. Float is with any purchase of a House of Eternal Return ticket.
Community:
While Meow Wolf is known for its creative and outgoing art experience, it also prides itself in supporting local artists. Since 2017, it has invested over $1.6 million in local non-profit organizations. These projects pay artists and art spaces through Meow Wolf's annual DIY fund.
More Information:
The website: meowwolf.com
