North Middle School Students Unleash “The Monster Within” In An Immersive Art Experience Inspired By Meow Wolf And North Alumnus Artist Patrick Shearn (Photo) -05/16/25
Colorado Springs, CO — May 2025 — Inside the Viking Black Box at North Middle School, monsters come alive—but not the kind you'd expect. These are the internal monsters we all carry: reflections of identity, curiosity, emotion, and transformation. This year-long immersive art experience, titled “The Monster Within,” was envisioned, designed, and built entirely by North’s Advanced 8th Grade Drama and Design students.
Inspired by a field trip to Meow Wolf Denver, this co-curricular, CTE-supported project brings together art, drama, and storytelling in a jaw-dropping, student-created installation that invites visitors to step into a world of imagination and introspection.
The students’ journey deepened in March with a visit to the Psycullescence exhibit at the Galleries of Contemporary Art (GOCA) at UCCS—where they met Patrick Shearn, the internationally acclaimed immersive artist behind the exhibit and a proud North Middle School alumnus. Shearn led students through an exploration of his work and process, sharing how public art can reflect the inner landscape of emotion and experience. His influence and encouragement sparked new depth and direction in the students’ work.
“The theme ‘The Monster Within’ was inspired by curiosity about how the internal systems of fictional monsters could represent different parts of our personalities,” said Cole Bennett, North’s Design teacher. “Every project in this room took meticulous dedication. Students defined their own goals, alternated leadership, and brought their ideas to life through months of hard work.”
“We began with our feeder elementary’s art theme, ‘Let the Wild Rumpus Begin,’ and our students elevated that concept into something uniquely middle school,” said Amanda Gaden, Drama teacher. “They explored identity, vulnerability, creativity, and voice—and built an immersive world around it. These kids are pure magic.”
What makes this project extraordinary isn’t just the final product—it’s the pathway thinking, the collaboration, and the creative risk-taking that went into every inch of the Viking Black Box Theater. From concept to execution, the installation is a student-led achievement that reflects the power of arts integration, project-based learning, and student agency.
Students applied to be part of this advanced course, worked across disciplines, and engaged with professionals in the arts community. Their work stands as a bold example of what’s possible when we trust students to lead, create, and express freely.
You’re Invited to Experience “The Monster Within” -you do not want to miss this opportunity to visit in person! School ends Friday, May 23rd.
What: A walk-in, immersive art installation created by North Middle School students
Where: Viking Black Box Theater, North Middle School
When: Open for visits—schedule a time today!
Who: Advanced 8th Grade Drama & Design Students
Why: Because this isn’t just art—it’s expression, identity, and the future of learning
To schedule a visit, interview students or staff, or request photos or media access, please contact Amanda Gaden at amanda.gaden@d11.org or 719-328-5755.