ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Baron Von Opperbean Immersive Experience Opens in Memphis’ Former Mississippi River Museum

exhibition · 2026-05-07

So, there’s this amazing immersive art exhibit called Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time, which kicked off on May 1, 2026. It’s located in the old Mississippi River Museum on Mud Island, right by Downtown Memphis. The space, which was empty since 2019, spans 33,000 square feet and has been turned into a maze of rooms and interactive areas using cool tech like projection mapping and game engines. Jee Vahn Knight, who used to work with Meow Wolf, is leading the project. They launched the first part, covering 8,000 square feet, and expect to add another 10,000 by the end of 2026, with full completion planned for 2027. The exhibit is part of a larger effort to revitalize the Memphis riverfront.

Key facts

  • Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time opened May 1, 2026 in the former Mississippi River Museum on Mud Island, Memphis.
  • The 33,000-square-foot building had been vacant since 2019.
  • The experience combines physical sets, interactive worlds, projection-mapping, and game-engine technology.
  • First phase is 8,000 square feet; 10,000 more planned by end of 2026; full buildout by 2027.
  • Creator Christopher Reyes graduated from Memphis College of Art in 1993.
  • CEO Jee Vahn Knight previously worked at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe.
  • Knight moved to Memphis in 2018 with her family.
  • The project is part of Memphis riverfront revitalization including Tom Lee Park (2023) and a new art museum (December 2026).

Entities

Artists

  • Christopher Reyes

Institutions

  • Memphis College of Art
  • Mississippi River Museum
  • National Civil Rights Museum
  • Meow Wolf
  • Forbes

Locations

  • Memphis
  • Mud Island
  • Downtown Memphis
  • Santa Fe
  • Cleveland
  • St. Louis
  • Chicago
  • Tennessee
  • United States

Sources