Mattress Factory turns 40
#BlowOut: It was a hot party on a warm night to benefit The Mattress Factory contemporary art museum on Friday. The 20th annual Urban Garden Party sold out with 1,400 guests celebrating the museum’s 40th anniversary with a 1970s’themed bash. Wide lapels, bold checks, head bands, tube socks, short shorts and other style nods to the decade of “Saturday Night Fever” and Bob Seger’s “Night Moves” were donned by guests going retro for the occasion. Brian Siewiorek wore a vintage black Halston dress that looked like a chic toga. Museum founders Barbara Luderowski and Michael Olijnyk mingled during the VIP reception after they were greeted by models wearing nothing but white paint and red polka dots. The Studio 54 VIP lounge was catered by Bob Sendall and All In Good Taste. Also helping to raise funds for the museum was a silent auction of original art work.
“Twenty years ago we were just trying something out [with this party],” said Mr. Olijnyk. “What makes it so great is there is no hierarchy, everyone is here: corporate types, artists, neighbors — throw in a few drag queens and you have a party,” he added. “The 40th celebration is about Barbara [Luderowski] coming to the North Side, an artist going where she is not supposed to go.” Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald (with his wife Cathy) read a proclamation for the anniversary. O’Ryan the O’Mazing towered above the guests juggling on stilts as they danced under the main tent to Beauty Slap. Local restaurants set up food stations on the perimeter to help everyone sustain their energy and party on.
#WorkingOnNightMoves: Event chair Eric Werner, Hans Peter Kuh (the German artist who created the lit “Acupuncture” installation for the Mattress Factory’s roof), board chair Dr. Michael White, Ali Cibik Good, Anna Conboy, Mayor Bill Peduto, Cliff Lai, Dr. Helene Finegold, Nachum Golan and Steve Hough, Joe King, Paul Gitnik and Gene Svrcek, Ellen Mazo, Ron and Judy Linaburg, Suz Falvey, Bill Perry, Byron Nash, Carissa Chandler, Zaheen Hussain, Rachel Rampa, Alexis Morrell and Caleb Filburn, Gary Thynes, Jezebel and Tyler Neff and Rennick Remley.
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