THANK YOU to all who joined us on Saturday, May 4 to race pinewood derby cars, bet, and win a limited-edition artist print–all in support of Smack Mellon! We enjoyed food by the Pierogi Boys and an open bar with locally brewed Grimm Artisanal Ales, Shacksbury cider, and wine from DUMBO’s beloved local wine shop Blanc et Rouge.
Check out photos from the event here!
All photos by Denis Gutiérrez-Ogrinc
Guests who purchase a $400 ticket can bet on the pinewood-derby races to win a limited edition artist print. Preview the available prints below!
Ticket packages offer discounts on multiple tickets–a great way to bring your friends, win even more prints, and extend your support for Smack Mellon! Entry-only tickets are also available for $200.
For a $25 entry fee, ticket holders can customize a 7” pinewood derby car to compete in the races on the spectacular 35-foot gravity slide raceway–create the fastest, slickest ride, or show us your wildest imagination!
Guests should arrive by:
3:30PM to see all the cars race in the races, 4-6PM
5PM to place bets by 5:30PM to win a limited edition print
After the final races, the print selection will begin! The names of those who bet on the winning car will be drawn first, followed by second place, then semi-finalists, and the quarter-finalists. The party continues until all the tickets are drawn and each ticket-holder has selected a print to take home at the end of the evening.
Please note: As an artist-centered organization, we have decided to change the way we raise funds at our benefit. Artists are often asked to donate an original work of art to support non-profit organizations, and it can become a burden when organizations ask them to donate a work of art every year. To address this, we have invited select artists to collaborate with Smack Mellon to create a limited print edition. In this way, we can give a special work of art to our supporters and maintain an equitable exchange with the artists that we love and support.
Tickets
A $400 ticket admits two guests to the party and includes one limited edition print. Bets on the final race determine the order in which prints are selected.
A $200 ticket admits one to the party and does not include a limited edition print. With this ticket, you can enjoy the races and party, but you can’t bet on cars and win a print.
Silver Seat (two ticket package) $750
- Admits 4 guests total
- 2 tickets to bet on the races and claim 2 prints
Gold Racer (three ticket package) $1,100
- Admits 6 guests total
- 3 tickets to bet on the races and claim 3 prints
All Star Platinum (five ticket package) $1,800
- Admits 10 guests total
- 5 tickets to bet on the races and claim 5 prints
If you cannot attend but would like to support Smack Mellon, please consider purchasing a $200 ticket for an artist to attend the party or making a donation here.
Creating a car for the races
You can purchase a car kit to enter the race by selecting the $25 race entry add-on to your ticket purchase. We have a limited number of cars, so if you want to enter the races, be sure to purchase your ticket and get your car kit now before they sell out!
The basic car is simple to build from the standard kit, but the customization possibilities are endless. Car kits will be mailed or available for pickup at Smack Mellon, and finished cars must be delivered to Smack Mellon by April 15. Please note the Smack Mellon regulations included with your car kit in order to create a car eligible for the races.
Cars compete for both speed and design, judged by our illustrious MC Pat Oleszko.
Get inspired by last year’s creations! →
Benefit Party Timeline
3:30PM: Doors open
4-6PM: Races
** Ticket holders must arrive by 5PM to bet by 5:30PM on one of the finalists**
6PM: Awards Ceremony and the print selection begins! The party goes until the last ticket is drawn.
Throughout the event, enjoy delicious food by the Pierogi Boys and an open bar with Grimm Artisanal Ales, wine, Shacksbury cider, and non-alcoholic options.
Sponsorship
At the event, purchase an artist-made car for $200, and take the car–each a unique work of art–home at the end of the party!
Party Details
MC: Pat Oleszko
Race Announcers: Gara Lonning and Augustine Boyce Cummings
Dress Code: Crash-test your fanciest Racing Fits! Check out inspiration here
Graphic identity design by Team
Food by the Pierogi Boys
In memory of Gary Bachman, who organized the original Gravity Racers. Special thanks to Joe Amrhein and Susan Swenson for allowing us to carry on the Pierogi Gallery tradition of the artist-made Gravity Racers event.
Funds raised at the benefit will support Smack Mellon’s mission to serve a diverse group of emerging, under-recognized, mid-career, and women artists through our exhibitions, Artist Studio residency program, and Art Ready teen mentorship program.
