Founder Giselle Monteiro is an artist who produces spare, geometric abstractions. She said she got the idea for the interactive gallery in November when she visited a place called WonderWorld in Brooklyn, New York, where artists create walk-in installations that double as selfie ops.

Monteiro figured the same sort of experience would be ideal in New Orleans. It would draw curious tourists and locals looking for an alternative to the bar and nightclub scene.

“When I first moved here, I had a hard time finding things to do with kids that didn’t involve drinking,” she said.

In addition to her art career, Monteiro worked as a granite exporter in her native Brazil. When she moved to New Orleans five years back, she branched out into the kitchen cabinet business. Her goal is to be New Orleans’ “queen of cabinets,” she said, laughing. That’s why the throne room, where she can pose as royalty, is her favorite ARTmazing feature.

But the cabinet business is somewhat seasonal, so Monteiro decided to diversify into a business completely different. It was a leap, she said, but the art experience concept was simple. WonderWorld was “just a warehouse with scenarios,” she said.

Monteiro already had an available warehouse space in Kenner, but she decided to seek a location at the center of the city’s tourist industry instead. A friend steered her toward a picturesque 6,000-square-foot, second-story former restaurant at 309 Decatur St. Monteiro began creating the arty environment.

As it turned out, it wasn’t the optimal time to open a tourist destination. She’d planned to unveil the attraction in March, at more or less the exact time the coronavirus crisis struck the Crescent City.

In the French Quarter, most businesses were required to shut down, and tourist traffic evaporated immediately. But “we were too deep in to quit,” Monteiro said, so she and her crew kept at it.

Changes had to be made. The pillow fight room, the bubble bath-themed ball pit and the fan-blown flurry of money all had to be modified because they caused too much contact for the COVID-19 era. All 13 of the existing scenes can be disinfected daily.

At this moment, Monteiro said she’s unsure exactly when the doors will finally swing open. She’s aiming for an early September debut, but she fears that impending hurricanes could cause more delays.

When the time comes, timed tickets will be sold online only, masks will be required, and hand sanitizer will be provided. Admission will be $25.

In the future, other artists will be invited to help update the ARTmazing Gallery regularly, Monteiro said. The big backroom will be available for private functions and activities, such as recreational painting parties.

Sure, she said, the timing of the project seemed terrible, but who knows? Maybe now’s a moment “when people are looking for something to do.”