High schoolers use art to inspire imagination

 

DALLAS — Anyone who opens the door at SPARK!, an immersive and creative experience in Dallas, unlocks potential.

Whether sliding, climbing or crawling on the space’s elaborate playground, every corner has something for kids to discover. But for the next few months, they’ll also stumble upon something unexpected.

“It’s something little kids are going to see and go, ‘whoa, I love that,’” Heaven Medders, a recent West Mesquite High School graduate, said.

It’s called Prismatic, an immersive universe of color.

“They just come in and go, ‘wow,’” Birdie Newsom, a Williams High School sophomore said. “That’s kind of all I’m hoping for.”

There are six rooms, designed and built by high schoolers who were once those same starry-eyed kids.

“I’ve always loved art, so as a little kid I was drawing all the time,” Medders said.

Each group of art students created a story based on a single color, like green, where a snake works to protect the jungle around her. To pull it off, spark partnered with Meow Wolf.

“I say it’s a mini Meow Wolf,” said SPARK! director of programs Amy Pagan. “You walk in and you are in the art.”

Pagan says the entire experience is eye-popping and eye-opening.

“It’s so great to see them not only creating art but realizing that they have an artist within them to show to the world,” she said.

The students hope it does the same for others.

That kids are inspired to break out of their cocoons and let their imaginations fly.

“I want them to feel like the fairy tale type of dreams can come true and you can make it happen,” Kyra Levels, a Hillcrest High School graduate, said.

Around every corner, there’s a chance to discover themselves.

“It could inspire anything,” said Medders.

To learn more about SPARK! Prismatic, go here