The Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (CoSM) is a transdenominational church and nonprofit organization founded by visionary artists Alex and Allyson Grey. Established to provide a sanctuary for spiritual renewal through transformative art, CoSM houses Alex Grey’s renowned Sacred Mirrors series—a collection of 21 life-sized paintings that explore the human body, mind, and spirit.
The Sacred Vision Behind CoSM’s Creation
The Chapel of Sacred Mirrors began as a profound vision shared by Alex and Allyson Grey during a transformative MDMA experience in 1985. This synchronistic moment planted the seed for what would become one of contemporary culture’s most significant spiritual art centers.
From Vision to Reality: CoSM’s Evolution
The journey of CoSM’s development follows a fascinating trajectory:
- 1996: Foundation for the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors established as a nonprofit organization
- 2004: First physical manifestation opens in Manhattan’s Chelsea district
- 2009: Chelsea location closes as CoSM transitions to its permanent home
- 2009- Present: 40-acre property in Wappinger, New York, becomes CoSM’s permanent sanctuary
- 2018: Construction begins on Entheon, a dedicated exhibition space for the Sacred Mirrors
- 2022: Entheon opens to the public, housing the complete Sacred Mirrors collection
This evolution parallels the growth of transformational festival culture, with CoSM serving as both inspiration and physical manifestation of the temporary sacred spaces created at events worldwide.
The Sacred Mirrors: Cornerstone of Visionary Festival Aesthetics
At the heart of CoSM is Alex Grey’s renowned Sacred Mirrors series 21 life-sized paintings that have become iconic references in festival production design and visual aesthetics.
Anatomical, Psychological, and Spiritual Dimensions
The Sacred Mirrors progression provides a template for the transformational journey found in festival environments:
- Material reality (physical structures and infrastructure)
- Biological systems (connection to nature and embodiment)
- Psychological dimensions (emotional and mental exploration)
- Subtle energetic systems (awareness of energy and consciousness)
- Spiritual/transcendent realms (peak experiences and collective unity)
This multi-layered approach to human experience directly informs how festivals structure their spaces, from practical functional areas to dedicated transcendental environments.
CoSM’s Influence on Electronic Music Festival Design
The principles established at CoSM have spread throughout global festival culture, creating a distinctive approach to sacred space creation within entertainment contexts.
| CoSM Element | Festival Implementation | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Full Moon Gatherings | Synchronized ceremonies at festivals | Boom Festival: Full Moon Ritual |
| Art Chapel | Dedicated contemplative spaces | Lightning in a Bottle: Temple of Consciousness |
| Sacred Mirrors Gallery | Curated visionary art exhibitions | Envision Festival: Visionary Art Gallery |
| Workshops & Classes | Transformational programming | Burning Man: Workshop Villages |
| Natural Setting | Integration with environment | Oregon Eclipse: Nature Sanctuaries |
| Community Building | Co-creative festival culture | Lucidity Festival: Participant Neighborhoods |
Festival producers worldwide look to CoSM as a model for creating environments that balance celebration with contemplation, entertainment with transformation.
Entheon: From CoSM to Global Exhibition
The Entheon concept, originally developed at CoSM’s New York sanctuary, has expanded into a revolutionary exhibition format now reaching global audiences, most recently in London.
The Original Entheon at CoSM
The permanent Entheon building at CoSM features:
- Exterior adorned with 3D-printed cosmic sculptures depicting creation myths
- Interior cosmic hall with projection-mapped imagery responding to sound
- Sacred Mirrors chamber designed for contemplative viewing experiences
- Psychedelic relics collection honoring the history of consciousness exploration
- Art gallery showcasing works by Alex and Allyson Grey alongside emerging visionary artists
- Immersive lighting design enhancing the viewer’s perceptual experience
- Sound design, creating complementary audio environments for visual art
Illusionaries: Entheon London Exhibition
In 2025, the Entheon concept expanded internationally with the groundbreaking “Illusionaries” exhibition in London:
- First UK showcase of the Greys’ visionary art in an immersive format
- Three distinct immersive rooms are designed to engage multiple senses
- Three captivating installations meticulously designed with soundscapes, animation, projection and color
- Multi-sensory experiences exploring the interconnectedness of physical and spiritual worlds
- Exhibition subtitle: “An Immersive Journey into the Realms of Humanity and Spirituality Through Visionary Art”
The London exhibition represents a significant evolution in how the Greys’ work reaches international audiences, bringing the contemplative festival experience into urban art spaces. As described by exhibition materials, the immersive exploration “takes visitors through three immersive rooms and three captivating installations, each meticulously designed to engage the senses and evoke contemplation.”
This global expansion of the Entheon concept demonstrates how the principles developed at CoSM continue to influence immersive art environments worldwide, creating spaces that parallel the transformational environments found at electronic music festivals.
CoSM’s Community Gathering Model in Festival Culture
Beyond physical spaces, CoSM’s approach to community building has significantly shaped how festivals create temporary intentional communities.
Transformational Gathering Techniques
CoSM pioneered practices now common at conscious festivals:
- Ceremonial Elements: Opening and closing rituals that frame the experience
- Participatory Creation: Community art projects encouraging co-creation
- Skill Sharing: Workshops teaching visionary art techniques
- Sound Journeys: Music as a vehicle for transformative experience
- Movement Practices: Embodied exploration through dance and yoga
- Integration Spaces: Areas for processing and sharing experiences
- Sustainable Community: Ecological awareness and responsibility
These elements form the foundation of what distinguishes transformational festivals from purely entertainment-focused events, creating containers for meaningful personal and collective experiences.
Digital Evolution: CoSM’s Online Community Building
Recognizing the importance of connecting global communities, CoSM has embraced digital platforms in ways that parallel the festival culture’s online evolution.
Virtual Community Cultivation
CoSM’s digital presence includes:
- Virtual events and live-streamed ceremonies during pandemic restrictions
- Online courses teaching visionary art techniques
- Digital art galleries showcasing works that can’t be experienced in person
- Community forums fostering connection between physical gatherings
- Crowdfunding campaigns supporting expansion projects
- Social media communities sharing transformative experiences
- Digital archives preserving ephemeral events for future reference
This digital extension of community parallels how festival culture maintains the connection between physical gatherings, building year-round engagement.
The Artist-Led Vision: Lessons for Festival Production
The Grey’s approach to creating and sustaining CoSM offers valuable insights for festival producers seeking to create meaningful experiences.
Principles for Transformational Environments
Key lessons from CoSM’s development include:
- Artistic Integrity: Maintaining clear creative vision despite practical challenges
- Community Support: Building sustainable financial models through participation
- Evolutionary Design: Allowing spaces to develop organically over time
- Ceremonial Framing: Creating containers for meaningful experience
- Educational Component: Teaching skills that extend beyond the gathering
- Documentation: Preserving ephemeral experiences through various media
- Long-term Vision: Building toward permanent cultural infrastructure
These principles have become central to the most successful transformational festivals, distinguishing them from commercial entertainment events.
Experiencing CoSM: Practical Information for Festival Enthusiasts
For electronic music and festival culture enthusiasts seeking to experience CoSM directly, practical information enhances accessibility.
Visiting the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors
Current visitor information includes:
- Location: 46 Deer Hill Road, Wappinger, New York
- Open Hours: Friday through Sunday, 12 PM to 6 PM
- Entheon Admission: Tickets are available online or at the door
- Workshops: Regular visionary art classes and skill-sharing sessions
- Full Moon Gatherings: Monthly ceremonies open to the public
- Accommodations: Limited on-site guest rooms available by reservation
- Dining: The Café offers vegetarian and vegan options during open hours
Special events throughout the year attract visitors from the electronic music community, particularly around solstices, equinoxes, and other significant celestial events that mirror festival scheduling patterns.
Complete Guide to Artists Presenting at the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (CoSM)
The Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (CoSM) has established itself as a premier destination for visionary art, hosting an impressive roster of artists through exhibitions, workshops, live painting events, and artist residencies. This comprehensive guide explores the diverse artists who have contributed to CoSM’s creative ecosystem.
Founding Artists and Creative Directors
The artistic vision and ongoing curation at CoSM is guided by its founders:
- Alex Grey – Co-founder and principal artist, creator of the Sacred Mirrors series
- Allyson Grey – Co-founder and visionary artist known for her abstract symmetrical works featuring “secret writing”
Core Resident Artists
These artists maintain ongoing relationships with CoSM, frequently participating in events and exhibitions:
- Randal Roberts – Visionary painter and longtime collaborator with the Greys
- Morgan Mandala – Creates detailed circular mandala paintings exploring consciousness
- Kris Davidson (Kridel) – Specializes in geometric forms and visionary landscapes
- Amanda Sage – Painter trained in the Mischtechnik method who bridges European visionary traditions with contemporary themes
- Andrew “Android” Jones – Digital artist known for projection mapping and live digital painting
- Luis Tamani – Peruvian artist integrating indigenous Amazonian influences with visionary themes
- Chris Dyer – Dyer creates colorful works combining skateboard culture with shamanic and spiritual imagery
Regular Workshop Facilitators
These artists frequently lead educational programs at CoSM:
- Xavi – Specializes in blacklight-reactive art techniques and visionary painting
- Emma Watkinson – Teaches sacred geometry and intuitive painting methods
- Adam Scott Miller – Offers workshops on mythological symbology in visionary art
- Cory Erickson – Leads technical workshops on achieving luminosity in painting
- Daniel Mirante – Teaches traditional Mischtechnik methods from the Viennese School
- Simon Haiduk – Facilitates nature-based visionary art techniques
- Autumn Skye Morrison – Guides intuitive painting and embodied creativity sessions
Musical Artists and Performers
Sound forms an essential component of the CoSM experience through these regular contributors:
- Shpongle – Simon Posford and Raja Ram’s pioneering psychedelic electronic project has performed at multiple CoSM fundraisers and events, with their music becoming synonymous with the visionary art experience. Simon Posford has also participated in panel discussions about the intersection of psychedelic music and visionary art at CoSM.
- East Forest – Creates ambient ceremonial soundscapes for CoSM gatherings
- Desert Dwellers – Produces electronic music for full moon ceremonies
- Deliberate Cre8ion – CoSM’s resident DJ collective
- Ben Stanton – Sound healing facilitator specializing in gong and crystal bowls
- DJ Taz Rashid – Creates musical journeys for yoga and movement events
- Liquid Bloom – Produces ceremonial electronic music for CoSM events
- Dave Tipper – Has performed special ambient sets at CoSM fundraisers
- OTT – British electronic music producer who has performed at CoSM events, creating downtempo psychedelic soundscapes
Sculptors and Installation Artists
Three-dimensional works and environment creators include:
- Michael Garlington – Creates elaborately detailed sculptural environments
- Kate Raudenbush – Designs geometric architectural installations
- Carey Thompson – Produces sacred geometric structural environments
- Gabriel Welch – Creates sculptural works exploring consciousness
- Martina Hoffmann – Sculptor and painter of visionary realms
- Shrine (Brent Spears) – Creates mosaic and mixed-media shrine installations
- Anthony Ward – Floral artist creating ephemeral installations for ceremonies
Visionary Painters Exhibited at CoSM
The gallery spaces at CoSM have featured works by numerous visionary artists, including:
- Robert Venosa – Pioneer of the contemporary visionary art movement
- Luke Brown – Creates intricate, symmetrical, visionary artworks
- Gage Taylor – Early visionary painter influenced by psychedelic experiences
- Vibrata Chromodoris – Digital and traditional artist creating geometric patterns
- Jonathan Solter – Solter paints architectural fantasies and portal-like structures
- Hanna Hedstrom – Hedstrom creates organic, flowing, visionary landscapes
- Xara Montemayor – Works with themes of divine feminine and natural cycles
- David Heskin – Produces detailed transcendental visionary paintings
- Seth Leibowitz – Digital artist creating fractal-inspired visionary art
- Samuel Farrand – Painter focusing on transformational spiritual themes
- Oliver Vernon – Creates abstract compositions with flowing organic forms
Digital and Projection Artists
Specialists in new media who have contributed to CoSM environments:
- Android Jones – Pioneer in digital live painting and projection
- Johnathan Singer – Creates live visual projections for events and ceremonies
- Charlene Putney – Developer of VR experiences based on visionary art
- Steven Haman – Designs interactive digital installations
- Dima Drjuchin – Digital and traditional painter exploring cosmic themes
- Mars-1 (Mario Martinez) – He creates digital and traditional works featuring biomorphic forms
- Scott Hile – Projection mapping specialist for CoSM architecture
- Jason Keyes – Fractal artist creating mathematical visualizations
Performance Artists
CoSM regularly hosts performance art that complements its visual offerings:
- Molly Steele – Ceremonial dance and movement artist
- Ka Amorastreya – Ritualistic performance artist and body painter
- Livingstone Kofi – Fire performer and ceremonial artist
- Zeffi Kairon – Movement artist specializing in butoh and contact improvisation
- The Human Experience – Creates multimedia performances combining music and visuals
- Elaine Lim Biggelaar – Aerial performance artist for special events
- Ren Ellis – Performance artist exploring states of consciousness
Traditional and Indigenous Artists
CoSM honors traditional wisdom through collaborations with:
- Ernesto Hernandez Olmos – Huichol yarn and bead artist
- Jorge Manzanilla – Mexican visionary artist incorporating indigenous symbolism
- Mauro Reategui Perez – Shipibo-inspired pattern artist from Peru
- Nana Emily Yates – Australian aboriginal dot painting techniques
- Chor Boogie – Urban shaman and spray paint artist
- Clancy Cavnar – Combines ayahuasca imagery with contemporary techniques
- Pablo Amaringo (works exhibited) – Peruvian ayahuasca visionary artist
Transformational Workshop Leaders
Beyond visual arts, these facilitators lead transformational experiences at CoSM:
- Alex and Allyson Grey – Lead painting workshops and visionary art intensives
- Fabian Jimenez – Breathwork and consciousness exploration guide
- Sarah Eve Cardell – Movement and embodiment facilitator
- Porangui – Sound healing journey facilitator
- Bruce Lyon – Esoteric philosophy teacher in residence
- Michael Garfield – Leads workshops on evolutionary philosophy and creativity
- Rak Razam – Writer and facilitator of discussions on visionary states
Art Administration and Curation
The team that helps organize and present CoSM’s artistic programming:
- Chelsea Gaya – CoSM Art Director and curator of rotating exhibitions
- Eli Morgan – Special projects curator and art installation coordinator
- Ruby Octopus – Gallery manager and artist liaison
- Jessica Bautista – Artist residency program coordinator
- Michael Divine – Guest curator for specialized exhibitions
Upcoming Artist Residencies and Exhibitions
CoSM continues to expand its artistic roster with confirmed upcoming presentations by:
- Autumn Skye Morrison – Solo exhibition in Spring 2025
- Daniel Mirante & Amanda Sage – Joint workshop series in Summer 2025
- Android Jones – Digital art installation opening Fall 2025
- Luis Tamani & Mauro Reategui Perez – Collaborative Amazonian visionary exhibition Winter 2025
Special Contributor Recognition
CoSM acknowledges these artists who have made significant contributions to special projects:
- Peter Westerman – Architectural visualization for Entheon development
- Ryan Tottle – 3D modeling for architectural ornamentation
- Lizbeth Riano – Jewelry design featuring CoSM symbolism
- Geoglyphiks (Jake Kobrin) – Digital artist contributing to projection environments
- Myztico Campo – Cuban-American visionary artist and guest speaker
- David Bollt – Anatomical artist contributor to educational programs
- Max Eternity – Digital media artist and cultural historian
CoSM’s Impact on the Visionary Art Community
Through its comprehensive artist programs, CoSM has established itself as a central hub for visionary art creation, education, and exhibition. By bringing together this diverse roster of artists, the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors continues to:
- Preserve and evolve traditional visionary art techniques
- Integrate emerging digital technologies with ancient wisdom traditions
- Foster cross-cultural artistic exchange and innovation
- Provide mentorship for developing visionary artists
- Document and archive significant works in the visionary art movement
- Create a sustainable community model for transformative arts
This expansive network of artists contributes to CoSM’s mission of building an enduring sanctuary of visionary art to inspire and nurture a global community dedicated to spiritual renewal and evolutionary creativity.
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Stay connected with FeedFreq for ongoing coverage of Visionarty art and designs inspired by the Grey’s vision and the evolving relationship between visionary art sanctuaries and electronic music culture. Our community continues to explore the intersection of sacred space, transformative art, and electronic music in both permanent and temporary environments worldwide.
