*captured: founder + key artist/designer/curator K. Day by photographer Livi Von Ghoul of This Witch's Photography
Our Story
What Exactly is The Imaginarium?
Everything you can imagine in one place.
A limitless supplier of wonder, a vehicle for amusement seekers and children age 1 through 101.
Generally an experience for the whole imagination.
Quite simply, the greatest store on Earth.
From costumes and masks to every-day whimsical wear for the adventure seekers...oddities and curiosities, rare finds to imported and highly impractical brick-a-brack...a magic shop and apothecary, a home for strange books and crafts...a good likelihood of mischief of every manner can be found here.
The Imaginarium Wonder Emporium was originally founded as a toy shop + magic shop for curiosities of all vintage sort. A place where discarded toys came to be reimagined and given a second life. Whether entirely by hand or spruced up by hand (and even curated as-is with the ware and tare that tells the stories of where they’ve been), you’ll find them here.
This second chance philosophy is at the core of our foundation.
We believe one should reinvent themselves as many times as they see fit.
In life, we are ever growing and evolving.
We invite you to share in something altogether different.
Welcome and we’re so very glad you came.
Everything you can imagine in one place.
A limitless supplier of wonder, a vehicle for amusement seekers and children age 1 through 101.
Generally an experience for the whole imagination.
Quite simply, the greatest store on Earth.
From costumes and masks to every-day whimsical wear for the adventure seekers...oddities and curiosities, rare finds to imported and highly impractical brick-a-brack...a magic shop and apothecary, a home for strange books and crafts...a good likelihood of mischief of every manner can be found here.
The Imaginarium Wonder Emporium was originally founded as a toy shop + magic shop for curiosities of all vintage sort. A place where discarded toys came to be reimagined and given a second life. Whether entirely by hand or spruced up by hand (and even curated as-is with the ware and tare that tells the stories of where they’ve been), you’ll find them here.
This second chance philosophy is at the core of our foundation.
We believe one should reinvent themselves as many times as they see fit.
In life, we are ever growing and evolving.
We invite you to share in something altogether different.
Welcome and we’re so very glad you came.
Mission Statement
“To create magic everywhere we go...
To facilitate for it, invite it and ask it to stay a while... To actively seek it, harness it and ride on its back... This is our mission, motto and creed." The Imaginarium Wonder Emporium is my living dream, one that walks on its own two feet. It is a place that is nowhere and everywhere all at once. An experience that becomes the fondest memory. It is a thing worth missing when it’s allusive and gone. It is the mirror turned toward the child within. Thank you for helping to keep my dream alive. If I feed it, water it and believe in it hard enough one day it will grow bricks and mortar and have the grandest door that beckons you in and through. Dream with me once more.” ~K. Day Founder + Creative Director The Imaginarium Wonder Emporium |
Meet Our Staff
FounderFollow artist K. Day and contact Mrs. Day Gomez for serious inquiries.
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Kathleen Day Gomez
founder + key artist, designer & curator Kathleen Day is an internationally published multidisciplinary contemporary artist, model/actress and author. She founded and officially launched The Imaginarium Wonder Emporium on her birthday January 14, 2017. Since then, The Imaginarium has conducted pop-up shops {most affectionately called our trunk shows} at various public events throughout the city of San Antonio, Texas. Mrs. Day Gomez has plans to erect a brick and mortar home store for The Imaginarium Wonder Emporium in San Antonio over the coming years, with grander plans possibly for a New York and United Kingdom location as well down the line. "I've always been a kid with my head in the clouds. Growing up I was often misunderstood, inquisitive, eccentric and notably ahead of my time. It wasn't until it was explained to me at age 33 that I'm on the autism spectrum (high functioning as some understand it) that I finally began to come to grips with and fully embrace my own struggle. Having an autistic son as well, I knew I wanted to incorporate our unique view of the world around us in everything I build. For me, The Imaginarium Wonder Emporium is not just a shop. It's a living thing; an idea, a state of being, a vehicle meant to show people back to their inner child and in doing so remind them who they are. In my life, I have been many things---model, actress, author, artist, mother---through TIWE I can be a beacon. And for that I am grateful to have this platform. To shine the light of innocence, curiosity and wonder in dark places. To prove over and over again that magic is real. To give the world a place to dream together. I LOVE my job!" |
CFO
Joe A. Gomez III
chief financial officer manager via JAG Enterprises Joe is a former San Marcus Chamber of Commerce board member, CEO of his management company JAG Enterprises and head of financial and business operations for The Imaginarium Wonder Emporium. With well over two decades of business management experience and leadership, Mr. Gomez is the driving force behind The Imaginarium's overall success and functionality. Under his guidance and insight we continue to make strides of progress toward our ultimate brick and mortar goals, beginning with the first step of having established a fully functioning online store. Joe will continue to steer this fantastical mystical air ship on its journey of growth from its home base in San Antonio, all around the world and to the stars. Follow JAG Enterprises and contact Joe Gomez III for serious inquiries.
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Resident Seamstress
Follow Blue Betties Boutique and contact Laura Arellano for serious inquiries.
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Laura Arellano
designer & seamstress owner of Blue Betties Boutique Designer seamstress Laura Arellano attended The International Academy of Merchandising & Design in Chicago where she earned her bachelor's degree in fashion design in 1996. "My dream was to go to the Fashion Institute of Technology(FIT) in New York and become a costume designer and work on Broadway. Unfortunately, it was outside of my budget. Instead I found an amazing school right in my hometown." Of her collaboration and partnership with The Imaginarium, Laura says, "Meeting Kat Day [through mutual colleague and friend Stephanie Eiland of Pineapple House Platforms] sparked my interest. I'm excited to design these wonderful and whimsical designs for her. Being able to collaborate with someone that loves theatrical costume design, unique fabrics, and bringing circus history to life through fashion is what really drew me to the Imaginarium Wonder Emporium (TIWE). I feel as though I can finally express my love of the theater through these unique clown ruff collars. I'm looking forward to working with Kat and seeing where our creativity takes us. This is just the beginning and I know the possibilities are endless." She adds, "Extremely important: I appreciate that TIWE recognizes my talent, encourages my growth and allows Blue Betties Boutique to thrive and flourish. When I work with other artists and business owners that are women who choose to carry the Blue Betties label, I get excited at the potential the opportunity brings. It's difficult to compete with bigger, more prominent businesses who sell similar items which is why I strongly feel that small business, regardless of who operates it, needs to come together." And in these strange unpredictable times, she couldn't have said it better. Blue Betties Boutique first opened in 2012. "I remember it like it was yesterday: I had an open mic for various local musicians, poets, etc. The walls were adorned with art from local artists. Records hung from the ceiling which were from my father's personal collection." Arellano is a big fan of classic rockabilly style and the pinup models of the 50's. "Elvis, The Stray Cats and Bettie Page are huge influences in my style. That's what I used as inspiration in designing my shop. I prided myself on having only handmade items from artists in Chicago. I wanted to give back and support the community that allowed me to make my dream a reality. The neighborhood where my boutique was located is the same one I grew up in (a predominantly Latino area). I made sure the culture was present in many of the items I carried. A lot of "cultura": Mexican and Chicano influences. It was a sad day when the shop closed in 2016, all the events that were hosted, all the friends that were made. It felt like a small part of me had disappeared but moving to San Antonio has been one of the best decisions of my life and has opened so many doors and made me hopeful for the future." Of her achievements, Laura recalls her very favorite to this day..."I always say that everything I make has a bit of love in it and I do enjoy everything I make; from the skirts to the jewelry to the masks. But if I had to choose one thing it was a custom evening dress for a friend who attended an art gallery opening in New York where her art was being featured. The thought of someone wearing something I had created for an event in New York (which is considered by many to be the center of the fashion world) had me feeling enamored by the opportunity. She'd be walking amidst a crowd of fellow artists, wearing something I created. Knowing it was a conversation piece is why I consider it one of my biggest achievements." Her success is a function of her intuition. She has an acute sense of knowing what people are looking for when they describe what their design process. "Sometimes, it's hard for them to articulate but I can gather enough from them to make something that will elicit the same reaction: amazement." We are honored to have Laura Arellano as part of TIWE team. And as with all things Imaginarium, the story isn't lacking in a bit of synchronistic magic..."I always wanted to design on Broadway and now I am designing on "Broadway" in San Antonio TX!" |
Film Work
Click the movie poster to learn more about our cinematic expressions.