Meow Wolf co-founder promises to bring first-of-its-kind immersive art spa to Austin

A spa experience billing itself as the intersection between art and science recently announced that its flagship location will open in Austin in 2026. 

The latest brainchild of Corvas Brinkerhoff — cofounder of the experiential art corporation Meow Wolf — Submersible is marketed as a product in the same vein as Meow Wolf but with even more of an experiential emphasis. 

Inspired by Nordic bathhouses and Japanese saunas, Submersive says it will use technology and techniques from around the world to create a one-of-a-kind relaxing experience when it eventually opens.

What is Submersive?

The name Submersive itself plays with the ideas of an immersive experience and the act of being submerged in water. That is no coincidence as the product the brand is creating is an immersive art spa. 

Currently, the brand's website pulls no punches with the amount of broad conceptual words to describe the experience like “awe, wonder, euphoria, transcendence.” As for how this will be achieved, the brand has said it will use video projection, lasers, AI technology, and other immersive technologies to create a unique experience. 

According to the brand's Instagram, Submersive will be “the world's first immersive art bathhouse. We're creating a new category, immersive wellness. How can the tools of immersive experience be used to create lasting and meaningful impact to our well-being? We intend to find out.”

Who is Corvas Brinkerhoff?

Brinkerhoff is one of the seven original founders of Meow Wolf. He and others created the company in 2018 to function as a small collective of Santa Fe artists who shared an interest in showing their works and developing as artists in various fields.

Under Brinkerhoff’s watch, the art corporation turned into one of the biggest brands in the art industry and opened four immersive art locations across the U.S. — one of which is in Grapevine, Texas, with another expected this year in Houston. Brinkerhoff stepped down as senior vice president of experience design at Meow Wolf in November 2023, according to his LinkedIn page.

The brand now faces financial hardships as mass layoffs were just announced. However, Brinkerhoff is ready for a new challenge in the immersive art space. 

Beck Andrew Salgado covers trending topics in the Austin business ecosystem for the American-Statesman. To share additional tips or insights with Salgado, email Bsalgado@gannett.com.