Pin one on for Barbara at Mattress Factory party
The annual Urban Garden Party at the Mattress Factory will be held as planned Friday just over two weeks after the death of the museum’s founder and co-director, Barbara Luderowski.
“She would have wanted us to have a party,” said Michael White, chairman of the museum board of directors.
The annual free all-ages Community Garden Party will also go on as scheduled from 1-5 p.m. Sunday. The museum will be closed Friday and Saturday for event preparations.
Dr. White’s introduction to the museum came at an Urban Garden Party about 10 years ago. Soon he became friends with Ms. Luderowski and museum co-director Michael Olijnyk.
“She was such a wonderful person and an iconic figure on the North Side. To come as a single mother and build an artist colony here is an extraordinary story.”
The museum will continue, Dr. White assured. ‘This place is a testament to her will, her tenacity.”
The board had earlier worked on a transition plan, and Mr. Olijnyk will continue to lead as director. An event to celebrate Ms. Luderowski’s life and achievements will be held in the near future, he said.
The 2018 party theme is “Galactic Get Down,” built around a future vision of the museum in 2058, four decades beyond this 40th anniversary year. The dress code is “celestial royalty, humanoids, astronauts and aliens.”
Reflecting the museum’s trademark blend of subtle elegance and quirky eccentricity, Ms. Luderowski will be memorialized with buttons bearing her image that will be offered at the Friday and Sunday events. The photograph by Annie O’Neill is of the distinctive back of Ms. Luderowski’s head — perhaps peering into her creation’s future.
General admission for the 7:30-11 p.m. Friday event is $95, members $75. VIP admission includes a Supersonic VIP Party and free valet parking from 6-7:30 p.m. and access to a private VIP Lounge from 7:30-11 p.m. ($360, members $310). The Galactic Get Down afterparty until 12:30 a.m. will be hosted by Rivers Casino and includes $10 free slot play or match play (pick up voucher at the museum), entertainment and parking. Purchase tickets at www.mattress.org.
The website is also the place to bid in a silent auction that will continue through the end of the garden party. Items range from the first all-night sleepover in the museum to unique artworks by artists including Paul Bowden, Seth Clark, Delanie Jenkins, David Pohl, Maritza Mosquera and Baron Batch.
The Urban Garden Party includes light bites and drink by more than 30 Pittsburgh bars, restaurants and catering companies. Those range from All in Good Taste Productions and Big Burrito Restaurant Group to Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor and La Prima Espresso Company. Signature cocktails will be provided by Big Spring Spirits and Pennsylvania Libations.
Entertainers will include the New Orleans-based funk band Water Seed, Misra Records hip-hop artist Mars Jackson, DJOh85, Jack Stauber, Timbeleza and Steel City Kitty Burlesque & Variety Show.