New permanent art experience opens in Lakewood this week

By Jay McKinney

Immersive art is in right now, and the Colorado Mills Mall is home to a new and exciting installation, Shiki Dreams. Created by the award-winning Denver immersive arts company Prismajic, Shiki Dreams is its first permanent experience and will open to the public on Friday, Dec. 15.

In Japanese, the word Shiki loosely translates to “four seasons” and the exhibit’s rooms explore themes of nature, the passing of time, and overcoming fear. Not only will Shiki Dreams be a destination in and of itself, but those doing some last-minute Christmas shopping at the mall can escape the holiday madness and immerse themselves in the experience.

“We built this to be a thoughtful sanctuary,” says Eric Jaenike, president and co-founder of Prismajic. “The experience changes you emotionally, and we use technology to enhance that. We want people to leave here with a new sense of themselves, of others, and their place in the world, while feeling peaceful and rejuvenated.”

In 2012 Jaenike and co-founder Jennifer Mosquera started Artistry Events & Design to enhance corporate events. Seven years later, they shifted into immersive art when they launched Prismajic and created Natura Obscura as its first immersive experience. The duo’s second immersive art experience was a pop-up located near Denver’s City Park called Shiki Dreams, and USA USA Today rated it as the fourth best immersive experience in the country in 2021.

The permanent installment places visitors in an enchanting forest where a mystical yeti named Shiki roams. Through the artistic decorations and cutting-edge technology, it’s easy for people to lose themselves in the imaginary world of Shiki. While the experience is oriented toward adults, kids will enjoy it as well.

Jennifer Mosquera is the creative director of Prismajic and brought together nearly 35 Colorado artists with skills that include animation, sculpture, painting and woodworking. Each one helped make this dream a reality.

“With this new, permanent version of Shiki Dreams, our goal is to continue strengthening Denver’s reputation for excellent immersive art,” Mosquera says.

Along with Meow Wolf and Casa Bonita, Prismajic will be an anchor in the 40 West Arts District and serve as a destination for tourists seeking immersive art experiences. Also on site is The Night Owls café, offering guests curated cocktails, beer, wine and a menu of lighter fare. The stage for music, poetry readings and other events adds another dimension to the entertainment.