Meow Wolf Omega Mart X Goodwill X eWaste
An electronic waste drive, the return of a popular tortoise and an enlightening artist talk
round out Meow Wolf Omega Mart’s commemoration of Earth[ier] Month
Friday, April 26th, Meow Wolf’s mind-bending, interactive art exhibition, Omega Mart, plays host to an eWaste collection event with Goodwill of Southern Nevada and welcomes back artist Luis Valera-Rica to host a talk to accompany an art installation of his popular eWaste tortoise sculpture, “Pikai,” in celebration of Earth[ier] Month.
A few years ago, Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart commissioned local artist Luis Varela-Rico to create a sculpture out of electronic waste, thus was born “Pikai.” Sourced from materials diverted from landfills by Goodwill, “Pikai” is a message for honoring our landscape and wildlife by reducing waste. “Pikai” is back to coincide with our collection event.
From 1:30pm to 5:30 p.m. Meow Wolf partners with Goodwill to dispose of older, unwanted electronics with this eWaste donation drive. Not only does Goodwill wipe the memory of dropped off electronics, but they also reuse certain electronics for their IT internship programs and store operations. Broken electronics are also accepted. Donations will be accepted in the AREA15 south parking lot. The eco-friendly frosting on the cake? Those donating unwanted electronic equipment will receive a voucher for 2 tickets to Omega Mart (while supplies last)!
From 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Dramcorp Boardroom, Meow Wolf, as part of their artist series that invites a variety of artists to share their stories of creativity, trajectory and passion, brings back Luis Valera-Rico to tell his story and his inspiration for creating “Pikai.” “As bodies of work come and go, they represent time capsules of who you were at a specific time. These time capsules allow for reflection and hopefully a sense of growth which can be fulfilling,” comments Valera-Rico.
All are welcome to view “Pikai” and to bring their eWaste to the Goodwill collection event outside AREA15. The first come first serve artist talk is free and open to all with exhibit admission with a special invitation to Portal Pass Members. Space is limited and includes same day admission to Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart following the program. RSVP required, please send email to [email protected] with “Speaker Series” in the subject line.
For more information about Meow Wolf, visit MeowWolf.com and stay connected on social media at @meow__wolf on Instagram, @MeowWolf on Twitter, and @MeowWolfLasVegas on Facebook.
About Luis Varela-Rico
Luis Varela-Rico is the sum of his parts. As a person, he is a diverse product of many influences. While his Mexican heritage deeply grounds his cultural and familial heritage, his professional education and career experience are uniquely positioned in the technoscape of Las Vegas, Nevada.
About Goodwill of Southern Nevada
Goodwill Industries of Southern Nevada, Inc. (Goodwill®), Goodwill Industries of Southern Nevada, Inc. (Goodwill®), a registered 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization, is an innovative and sustainable social enterprise offering free workforce development, career coaching, and job placement with local employers and at Goodwill. Goodwill programs of service are funded through the support of philanthropic giving, government grants, and the sale of donated clothing and household items at 18 retail stores, a clearance center, and online shopping site. For more information, or to find a Goodwill location near you, visit GoodwillVegas.org or follow @GoodwillVegas.
About Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf is not your typical arts and entertainment company; they’re the creators of extraordinary, mind-bending experiences that transport millions of adventurers of all ages into breathtaking realms of imagination and wonder. As the proud recipients of numerous accolades, including Time Out‘s #1 Immersive Experience in the US (2023), Fast Company‘s World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies (2024, 2022 and 2020), and USA Today‘s Top 10 Best Immersive Art Experiences (2022), Meow Wolf is committed to engaging curious seekers through the magic of discovery and play. They are distinct in their collaboration with hundreds of visionary artists who infuse creativity into every Meow Wolf experience.
The journey began with the THEA Award-winning House Of Eternal Return in Santa Fe (2016), a mystery house with hidden passages and mesmerizing art exhibits. In Las Vegas, Omega Mart (2021) presented a surreal grocery store experience. Denver’s Convergence Station (2021) appeared as a maximalist architectural marvel linking four alien worlds. In July 2023, Meow Wolf unveiled The Real Unreal in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and plans to open a new location in Houston in 2024. As a certified B-Corporation, Meow Wolf leads in themed entertainment, innovating and celebrating human imagination. All are invited to join a journey that defies convention, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.