Tucked on South Broadway sits Spectra Art Space, a discrete black structure filled with colorful art and immersive experiences. Owned and operated by women, the unique art gallery aims to support creatives and be inclusive and accessible to everyone, whether they are an artist or not. Before COVID-19, the gallery offered a variety of events, including art classes, comedy shows, music showcases, lectures and immersive experiences. Despite many of these events being put on hold, Spectra Art Space still supports art while safely keeping the community engaged.
“The hardest pill to swallow was the realization that Spectra made anywhere between 80 to 90% of its income during events,” said Sadie Young, the owner and founder of Spectra Art Space. “Luckily, we started the immersive art experiences in 2019, so we already had another successful element.”
One such immersive art experience that patrons can visit is Back to the Source, a donation-based immersive art experience for all ages. The experience is part psychedelic art show and part psychology-based scavenger hunt. Once you enter, it will take your eyes a second to adjust to the sheer amount of multicolored, neon lights and unique art installations that flood the room and dangle from the ceiling. If you follow the Carl Jung-inspired clues, you will be able to navigate the mirrors, mannequins and hidden messages to eventually unlock the heartening reward at the end.
“Guests who enter The Source will have to solve the puzzle of the psyche by journeying through the neon jungle of archetypes,” The gallery’s website states. “Those who are brave enough to face their shadow, ego, persona and self will be rewarded with the ultimate prize.”
Young, who studied psychology for three years in college before switching to art, wanted Back to the Source to feel like an escape room, in conjunction with Carl Jung’s theories of the psyche.
“If somebody went through that room and read everything, they could get a lot from it,” she said. “The idea came from a mix of my nerdy side and want to send a nice message to people that is relevant right now.” After participants solve the puzzle of the psyche, they are encouraged to explore the rest of the gallery filled with local artwork.
If you are looking to escape reality for a unique outing, you can reserve a 50-minute time slot for Back to the Source here. Visitors can donate what amount they can, but the suggested price is $10 per person. All donations go to Spectra’s COVID-19 relief fund. By donating, you will not only be supporting a local business but Denver creatives as well. Back to the Source will be running through March 31, so don’t miss out on the eccentric, neon fever dream that is Spectra Arts Space.
