Omega Mart

In spring of 2012, Meow Wolf’s educational outreach program Chimera worked with nearly 1000 public school kids in Santa Fe, New Mexico to develop products for a fake grocery store called Omega Mart. In each classroom Meow Wolf artists worked with small groups of students to collaboratively generate ideas for fake products. Students came up with products such as “Giant Sponge in a Box for Cows that Have Been Abducted,” “Powdered Dreams,” and “Celebrity Backwash.” Groups would then collaborate to design packaging, write scripts, create storyboards and film commercials. The student-created products were stocked on the shelves next to products designed by Meow Wolf artists such as “Diet Beefies,” “Whale Song Deodorant,” and “Honey Clumps of Hmmm.”

Leading up to Omega Mart’s “Grand Opening,” Meow Wolf rented a space in an unassuming shopping center on St. Michael’s Drive and sent press releases to local media outlets on behalf of “OmegaMart.” Omega Mart was introduced as an obscure supermarket chain promising unreal bargains on “Nationally Localized Products” and “Organically Recommended Produce.”  Meow Wolf ran realistic advertisements and even generated opposition ads and letters to the editor.  Omega Mart held its grand opening on July 7th, 2012. Eager members of the public were ushered through the doors by a cheering staff of over-enthusiastic “employees” only to find themselves immersed in a surreal shopping experience. During its three month run, Omega Mart brought much confusion and delight to the many “customers” who browsed its colorful aisles.