LAKEWOOD, Colo. — If it's not the political season stressing you out, maybe it's sending the kids back to school, work, or some other pressure occupying your mind.
An immersive experience, focused on wellness, is hoping to relieve some of that tension. It's called Prismajic and is located inside the Colorado Mills Mall. Their current interactive adventure is called "Shiki Dreams."
"We brought together teams of artists to build this immersive space which is intended to support the body, and calm you down, and kind of ignite your brain in looking for tiny things hidden all around," said co-owner and co-founder Jenn Mosquera.
Before you enter the space, you're given a small, black light flashlight. As you explore, you'll find hidden messages, and images, that are uncovered as you wander. There's 4,000-square-feet to engage with, including multiple rooms and hallways.
Mosquera used to be a district attorney. She said the stress and pressure in her life inspired her to find a way to relieve her anxiety.
"What I found was a lot of practitioners were not wanting to prescribe anti-anxiety medicines, but rather going to the woods, going to look at art, and going to hear music," she said.
So, Mosquera said they took all of those things and combined it into one, creating Prismajic. She said 37 local artists came together to build their current space, including painters, animators, and sculptors. They also consulted with licensed therapists to help create a calming environment.
"It takes at least 45 minutes to an hour to get through for most people because of all the hidden details, but that’s meant to slow you down so that you can tap into your parasympathetic nervous system or the calm part of your nervous system," said Mosquera. “The idea is to take your time in here and really relax and enjoy the little things."
She said they're always adding to the experience, so you might discover something new each time you visit. Mosquera said visitors feel very calm and down-regulated after exploring the space.
"Some people actually shed tears inside and a lot of people come out just feeling better than when they walked in, which is a huge goal of us," she said.
Mosquera said they're planning on expanding their immersive experience in the near future. Prismajic also has a secret speakeasy called "The Night Owls Bar." They host a variety of events, live music, and classes.