Sculpture Space Mardi Gras Party

Utica, New York---Beat the mid-winter blues by joining Sculpture Space for an infamously good time at its 11th Annual Mardi Gras Party. The carnival party takes place from 7 to 11:30 p.m., Saturday, February 26th at the Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre Ballroom in downtown Utica. The event is in part made possible with sponsorship support from generous local, national and international businesses and corporations, such as CONMED Corporation and JP Morgan Chase.

Created as a benefit for Uticas international artist residency program-- Sculpture Space--the event has become one of the years hottest parties. Highlights of the evening will include the hot bayou sound of the acclaimed band Captain Squeeze & the Zydeco Moshers, the amazing Catskill Puppets, authentic Cajun food, a cash bar with Louisiana Hurricanes and Voodoo Martinis in addition to other beverages, and, of course, festive costumes and dancing. Entertainment includes Uticas Valley of the Veil belly dancers, go-go dancing platforms for those who get inspired, and lots of beads and plumes. The event will offer a silent auction bonanza of boutique baskets, from opera tickets to car wash passes, as well as jewelry and one-of-a-kind artist-designed masks. Also back by popular demand, the applause-metered Fat Tuesday Costume Contest with generous prizes.

The host site, the Radisson, is offering a specially priced overnight package for revelers that includes tickets to the Mardi Gras Party and a best-of-the-bayou overnight package. Please call the Radisson at (315) 797-8010 for more information.

Tickets are $45 per person through February 25, and $65 the night of the event. Admission includes free masks and beads, a full Cajun buffet, from appetizers to desserts. Proceeds from ticket sales and the auction will benefit artist and community programs at Sculpture Space. For more information about tickets, please call Sculpture Space at 315-724-8381.

Sculpture Space is the only artist-in-residency program in North America specifically designed to serve professional sculptors. Sculpture Space provides a stipend, studio space, special equipment, technical expertise, and specialized resources for artists to make new works of art works that are first seen in Utica, NY before being exhibited in galleries, museums, and sculpture parks worldwide. Drawing artists from throughout the world, Sculpture Space also provides local community members with opportunities to meet contemporary artists and learn more about sculpture through quarterly work-in-progress receptions, studio tours, and presentations for local organizations.