THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for our second annual Gravity Racers Benefit Party & Art Auction! We raced cars, we bet, and we won art–all while raising essential funds in support of our Exhibitions, Artist Studio residency, and Art Ready education programs.
View photos from the event here!
Photos by Saskia Kahn
RACE CARS!
PARTY!
WIN ART!
Join us on May 6 for Smack Mellon’s Gravity Racers Benefit Party & Art Auction, back for a second time after the success of last year’s event. Come watch the races, party, and leave with a work of art—all in support of Smack Mellon! Ticket holders place bets on radically customized artist-made pinewood derby cars, which race on a gravity-slide raceway in Smack Mellon’s gallery. The races determine the order in which guests select an artwork included with a ticket.
For a $25 entry fee, guests can customize their own 7” pinewood derby car to compete in the races. Create the fastest, slickest ride or show us your wildest imagination! Cars compete for speed, and are also eligible to win one of 10 design prizes, judged by the event’s illustrious MC Pat Oleszko.
The preliminary races start at 4PM and guests should arrive by 5PM to place bets on the final race, which starts at 6PM. The award ceremony for design prizes will take place at 5PM. After the final races, the artwork selection will begin! The names of those who bet on the winning car will be drawn first, followed by second place, semi-finalists, and the quarter-finalists. The party continues until all the tickets are drawn and each ticket-holder has selected an artwork to take home at the end of the evening.
Also included with a ticket are unlimited beverages and food, catered by the Pierogi Boys!
Silent Auction: The Silent Auction is now live and you can bid on artworks here. The Silent Auction will close on Benefit day, May 6th at 6:30pm. You do not need to attend the event to bid on one of these Silent Auction artworks.
If you cannot attend but would like to support Smack Mellon, please consider making a donation.
View photos from last year’s Gravity Racers Benefit Party & Art Auction here!
Tickets
One $400 ticket admits two guests to the party and includes one original artwork. Guests will use their ticket to bet on a car in the race, which determines the order in which artwork is selected. The ticket packages below offer discounts on multiple tickets, a great way to bring your friends, win even more artwork, and extend your support for Smack Mellon!
Ticket Packages
Silver Seat (two ticket package) $750
- Admits 4 guests total
- 2 tickets to bet on the races and claim 2 artworks
Gold Racer (three ticket package) $1,100
- Admits 6 guests total
- 3 tickets to bet on the races and claim 3 artworks
All Star Platinum (five ticket package) $1,800
- Admits 10 guests total
- 5 tickets to bet on the races and claim 5 artworks
Creating a car for the races
A ticket does not include a car kit to be entered in the race, but you can purchase one with an add-on $25 race entry fee. 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. Instructions for obtaining a car kit and creating a car eligible for the race will be provided.
Deadline extended to April 28th! Finished cars must be delivered to Smack Mellon by Friday, April 28.
Car sponsorship
At the event, sponsor a car made by one of Smack Mellon’s artists for $200, and take the car home at the end of the party!
Party and Races Timeline
3:30PM: Doors open
4-5PM: Preliminary races
5PM: Finalists are announced and the betting window opens.
** Ticket holders must arrive by 5PM to bet on one of the finalists and make their top 30 top artwork wishlist. **
5PM: Design Awards Ceremony
6PM: Betting window closes
6-6:30PM: Final races
6:30PM: Artwork selection begins!
Once the results of the race are determined, the drawing of the tickets for artwork selection begins. The party goes until the last ticket is drawn, around 8PM.
Party Details
MC: Pat Oleszko
Dress Code: Don’t forget to wear your best Racing-Fancy!
Catering 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 free exhibitions, artist studio program, and artist mentorship program for high school students.
Event Sponsors
Media sponsor: Hyperallergic
Graphic identity design by Team
Party rentals generously supplied by Party Rental Ltd
Beverages generously donated by Grimm Artisanal Ales, T. Edward Wines & Spirits, and AHA Sparkling Water
Silent auction artwork frames by Greenpoint Frames
Floral arrangements by La Catrina Flower Studio
Artwork packing supplies generously donated by Pathe Shipping Supplies
