RECAP // Best of Instagram 2015!

What a year it's been! A lot has happened at the Mattress Factory, and what better way to remember it all than to embrace the nostalgia and reminisce with all the awesome pictures taken by visitors this year. The #mattressfactory hashtag has over 7,500 posts now (only a few of those are actually mattress related)! We thank you all for your continued support of the museum, and for documenting your visits so beautifully via Instagram. So here's to you MF visitors - our favorite Mattress Factory photos of the year!

Permanent Installations

by James Turrell, Greer Lankton, and Yayoi Kusama

photo creds: @petra_palumnbo, @paigebeers, @heatherkresge.photo, @ecervantez, @jendingding, @erinhollywould

The MF Garden

by Winifred Lutz

@412made, @davidsciortino, @ainemarielaff, @mzicka, @ofkrista

Factory Installed @ 1414 Monterey Street

by Jacob Douenias + Ethan Frier, Julie Schenkelberg, Anne Lindberg, and John Morris

@santi1916, @gregoryoleander, @ueckerist, @sluna7, @stripedarchitect

Factory Installed @ 500 Sampsonia Way

by Rob Voerman, Bill Smith, Lisa Sigal, and Marnie Weber

@codymsolberg, @pswansong, @cecilopezgonzalezduran, @marnieweberofficial, @santi1916, @steven_werth

Trace of Memory
by Chiharu Shiota

@kaela_speicher, @saracals, @moeian, @instakneels, @alk5161

Events

Dinner Lab, M is for Mattress Factory: Urban Garden Party, and an MF Wedding

@ginana17, @jeshaka, @mrbattle, @gavinbenjamin

Mattress Factory Views

@wanderburgher, @conormcgrann

Fun @ the Museum

@themightykim, @lordhissyfit, @kainazamaria, @ljhotojourneys, @heidimariemuller, @ayedud

That's all for this year folks! Don't forget to follow us on the Mattress Factory Instagram, and keep using the #mattressfactory tag in all your 2016 MF adventures for your chance to be featured as a guest photo on our account!

Urban Garden Party 2015: A Major Success!

Last Friday night nearly 1,200 people turned out to support the most magical event of the summer! The tent was rocking and the garden was packed. This year's Urban Garden Party offered food + drink from the city's best restaurants and bars, a magic show, a silent art auction, the ultimate Michael Jackson tribute and much more. After tallying up all of our ticket sales and sponsor pledges, we brought in nearly $220,000 for the museum.

Our photographers were roving the party all night and we're uploading pictures to Flickr as we get them. Share your photos with us using #UrbanGardenParty or #MattressFactory... we'd love to see them! If you had your photo taken in the photo booth at the party, your pictures may be here.

Finally, a big Mattress Factory thank you to our co-chairs Lisa Cibik + Bernie Kobosky and all of our wonderful sponsors. We could not have thrown the hottest party in Pittsburgh without the help of every single one of them. Make sure to help us thank our sponsors by seeking them for any of the professional services they provide.  

MF Co-Directors Michael Olijynk and Barbara Luderowski with Urban Garden Party Chairs Lisa Cibik and Bernie Kobosky.

Mark your calendar! The 2016 Urban Garden Party will take place Friday, June 17.  

ANNOUNCING // Urban Garden Party Entertainment + Vendors

The 2015 Urban Garden Party: "M is for Mattress Factory" is shaping up to be one serious party! We are proud to announce the following entertainment and food and beverage sponsors that will help to bring this monster of an evening to life.

Please check back as there will be more to come!

Entertainment: Meeting of Important People, MC Comedian Mike Travers, Machete Kisumontao, DJ Orquidea, DJ Mad Maxx, Baffling Bob, Selfie Studios, Charles Wallace Jazz Trio, Kierra Darshell's Divas of Drag

Food + Beverage Sponsors: All in Good Taste Productions, Apoidea Honey, Bar Marco, Barton's Flower & Bake Shop LLC, Bean Catering, Big Burrito Restaurant Group, Bistro To Go, Butcher on Butler, Clique Vodka, Coca Cafe, Cornerstone Restaurant, Culinary Artists - Private Chef Services, Divine Delectables, Donato's, Eclipse Lounge, Enrico's, The Greek Gourmet, Krispy Kreme, LaPrima, Legume, Lola Bistro, Moe's Southwest Grill, Opening Night Catering, Penn Brewery, Pittsburgh Candy Buffet, Pizza Taglio, Rita's Italian Ice, Savoy, The Summit Pittsburgh, Sweet Sophistication, Trader Joe's, Tupelo Honey Teas, Wigle Whiskey

Tickets start at just $110. MF Members get the best deal available on UGP tickets. Already a member? Please contact Caitlin Harpster for your discount code. Not a member? Join today!

Urban Garden Party 2014: Wildly Successful!

2014 Michael Cannon | www.michaelecannon.com

Last Friday night over 1,300 people turned out to hit the hottest saloon in town. The tent was rocking and the garden was packed! This year's Urban Garden Party offered food + drink from the city's best restaurants and bars, mechanical bull riding, a silent art auction, the ultimate Johnny Cash tribute with Terry Lee Goffee and much more. After tallying up all of our ticket sales and sponsor pledges, we brought in a whopping $255,000 for the museum.

Mattress Factory Co-Directors Michael Olijnyk and Barbara Luderowski. Photo by Bill Wade/Post-Gazette.

 
Our photographers were roving the party all night and we're uploading pictures to Flickr as we get them. Share your photos with us using #MFWildWest or #UrbanGardenParty... we'd love to see them! If you had your photo taken in the photo booth at the party, your pictures may be here.

2014 Michael Cannon | www.michaelecannon.com

2014 Michael Cannon | www.michaelecannon.com

Finally, a big Mattress Factory thank you to our co-chairs Sarah Thomas + Dan Drawbaugh and all of our wonderful sponsors. We could not have thrown the hottest party in Pittsburgh without the help of every single one of them. Make sure to help us thank our sponsors by seeking them for any of the professional services they provide. 

UGP co-chairs Sarah Thomas + Dan Drawbaugh. Photo by Bill Wade/Post-Gazette.

 

Mark your calendar! The 2015 Urban Garden Party will take place Friday, June 19.

ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! Urban Garden Party Giveaway

The Mattress Factory is celebrating its annual Urban Garden Party with a "Wild West Evening" Prize Pack!

Join us for our 17th annual fundraiser, the Urban Garden Party:Wild West chaired by Dan Drawbaugh and Sarah Thomas. Each year the Urban Garden Party attracts a sold-out crowd of 1,400 revelers to the Mattress Factory to support "art you can get into!" Live entertainment, food + drink from over 40 of Pittsburgh's hottest restaurants and caterers, a silent auction and general mirth and merriment make this bash what the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Marylynn Urrichio calls, "the envy of every nonprofit in town." So polish your spurs and untangle your fringe and get on down to the hottest saloon in town.

From now until Friday, June 13 at 5:00PM Mattress Factory Fans can enter to win a "Wild West Evening" that includes a pair of General Admission tickets to the hottest party in Pittsburgh [valued at $200] and round trip transportation from Uber [up to $40]. Email promotions@mattress.org with your name, full address and email address, and a response to the question:

            Why is the Mattress Factory one of your favorite museum's in Pittsburgh?

The winner will be randomly selected from amongst all eligible entries on Friday, June 13 and notified by Monday, June 16, 2014. You must provide full address contact information, along with a valid email address, to be eligible to win.

CONTEST RULES:
No purchase necessary. Limit one entry (1) per household. Entrants must be at least 21 years old at the time of entry. Employees, agents and directors of the Mattress Factory and their subsidiary companies, as well as immediate family of such persons, are not eligible to enter to win. Odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible entries received. Approximate value of grand prize: $240. Winners will be selected in a random drawing on or about June 13, 2012 from among all eligible entries received. Prizes may not be sold, transferred, or refunded. For a list of winners, send a SASE to the Mattress Factory, 500 Sampsonia Way, Pittsburgh PA 15212. Please note, all contest entrants agree to be added to the Mattress Factory E-Newsletters and mailing lists.

2013 URBAN GARDEN PARTY WRAP-UP

2013 URBAN GARDEN PARTY
SOUL FACTORY: MOTOWN AT THE MUSEUM
Friday, June 21, 2013
 
This year's Urban Garden Party was again a sold-out affair, with nearly 1,400 guests flocking to the North Side to get down in support of Art You Can Get Into. The event raised an unprecedented $265,000 for the museum's artistic programs, educational outreach and operations. Following the fundraiser, over 400 people attended Community Garden Party for art activities, performances, workshops and fun! Click here to view pictures from this year's party.

GENERAL ADMISSION 7-11PM | SOLD OUT
VIP 6PM | SOLD OUT
Go back to a time when clothes were a little flashier, hair was a little funkier and 45 rpm was the only speed in town. Marking the museum's 35th year in Pittsburgh's North Side and looking ahead to our fall exhibition, Detroit: Artists in Residence, the Mattress Factory presents Soul Factory: Motown at the Museum. Co-Chairs Anne + Anuj Dhanda invite you to groove on over in your hippest rags for the museum's annual fundraiser, headlined Vancouver-based DJ The Gaff. This year's funk fest will feature over 40 of Pittsburgh’s best restaurants and caterers, pop-up performances by live entertainers including Kierra Darshell's Divas of Drag and DJ Zimmie, a silent auction of one-of-a-kind artwork, a Motown photo booth and dancing. A VIP pass will open the doors to the exclusive VIP pre-party from 6 - 7:30pm, hosted by Bob Sendall of All in Good Taste and featuring signature cocktails poured by Tender and Verde with Wigle Whiskey and Clique Vodka. Title Town Soul & Funk Party will provide Motown sounds from the 60s and 70s on original 45s and a private performance by Kierra Darshell's Divas of Drag will open the floor for you to shake your own groove thang in our Soul Train dance-off. Your VIP pass also gets you access to the VIP Lounge--including exclusive entertainment, a private bar, restroom and courtyard for VIPs only--throughout the night.

SOUL FACTORY AFTER PARTY
After the excitement dies down at MF, slide on over to Penn Brewery at 800 Vinial Street for the official Soul Factory after-party! All party attendees are invited to the after party, so SAVE YOUR WRISTBANDS for exclusive drink specials, a DJ and more. Check back for details as they are confirmed!



SOUL FACTORY CO-CHAIRS
Anne Nemer Dhanda + Anuj Dhanda

SOUL FACTORY HOST COMMITTEE
Mary-Lou Arscott
Christine Astorino
Judith Berger
Molly + Peter Blasier
Jessica + Jeff Brown
Pamela Z. Bryan
David Bush + Tim McVay
Lalit + Supriya Chorida>
Dan Drawbaugh + Sarah Thomas
Sherry DuCarme + Jeff Crummie
Rich + Cindy Engler
Peggy Finnegan
Beth Ann Fuhrer
Bryan Garlock + Deb Bergren
Paul J. Gitnik
Bob Hoover + Kathleen DeWalt
Rick + Laurie Johnson
Ryan Lammie
Susan + Scott Lammie
Jacqui + John Lazo
Martin Lazor + Karen Fredette
Scott Leff + Marilyn McDaniel
Helene + Tom Long
Muriel Luderowski
Ellen Mazo
Annie O'Neill
Nancy + Woody Ostrow
Councilman Bill Peduto
Terry + Tracey Perles
Donna + John Peterman
Marirose + John Radelet
Frances + Smokey Robinson
Caryn Rubinoff + Craig Dunham
Sharon Semenza + Bill Robinson
Dmitri + Ann Shiry
Rosanne Silva + Michael Tonkin
Eric Smith
Gene L. Svrcek
John Verbanic
Anoo + Viju Verghis
Alan + Martina Wells
Eric Werner
Michael White + Rick LeBeau
Maureen Young
Mazen Youssef + Suzan Obagi

SOUL FACTORY SPONSORS

$15,000
UPMC + UPMC Health Plan

$10,000
Anonymous
AT&T
CA Technologies
CGI
EMC
IBM
Oracle
Tata Consultancy Services

$5,000
Avaya
Cisco Systems
ConsultUSA
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
NACR
PNC Bank
PPG Industries Foundation
Presidio
Visa

$2,500
Allegheny General Hospital
Anne + Anuj Dhanda
H.J. Heinz Company
National Financial, A Fidelity Investments Company
The Pittsburgh Steelers
Schell Games
Xerox

$1,500
Plastic Surgery of Pittsburgh

$1,000
41st Parameter
Amcom
Gartner Inc.
Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence, University of Pittsburgh
KPMG
Susan + Scott Lammie
Marilyn Coleman Consulting
Radiant Hall Studios

SOUL FACTORY MEDIA SPONSORS
WHIRL
Yelp
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
90.5 WESA + 91.3 WYEP

SOUL FACTORY FOOD + BEVERAGE SPONSORS
2 Local Girls
All in Good Taste Productions
Atria's @ PNC Park
Bar Marco
Bean Catering/Just Bean Coffeehouse
Big Boss Ice Cream
Bluebird Kitchen
Clique Vodka
Coca Cafe
Diageo-Guinness USA
Divine Delectables
Donato's Restaurant
Double Wide Grill
E2
Eclipse Lounge
Enrico's Biscotti Co.
Erin's Fine Foods
Fukuda
Gina Marie's Catering
Girasole
Half Baked
Jimmy Wan's Restaurant and Lounge
JPC Event Group
La Prima Espresso Co.
Legume
Lola Bistro
Luma
Marty's Market
Monterey Pub
Ola Appetit Catering Company
Opening Night Catering
Penn Brewery
PGH Taco Truck
Pittsburgh Candy Buffet
Pittsburgh Winery
PVI Global Imports
Rania's Catering
Rita's Italian Ice
Tender
The Capital Grille
The Culinary Artists Gourmet Catering Group
The Elbow Room
The Grateful Deli
The Greek Gourmet
Tupelo Honey Teas
Verde
Wigle Whiskey


FRIENDS OF THE MF
17th Street Cafe
ALCO Parking Corporation
Flowerama
Hilbish McGee Lighting Design
J.V. Chujko
Massage Envy Spa - Squirrel Hill
Mistick Construction Company + Northside Associates
Nakama
Party Savvy
Shults Ford




ADDITIONAL THANKS
 


VIDEO CREDITS  
The Gaff and Skratch Bastid: Good Old Days Pt. 2           
The Gaff: Do That Thing          
Girl Talk: This is the Remix 
Love Skateboards: Rob Mentov and Justin Bohl: Nothing Stops Detroit
The Best of Soul Train

Soul Factory: Motown at the Museum -- A HUGE success!

Nearly 1,400 party-goers boogied into the night under the main tent at the 2013 Urban Garden Party.
Photo by Bridgett Kay Photography

Last Friday night nearly 1,400 people turned out to make merry and boogie down on the North Side. The tent was rocking and the garden was packed! Mash ups by The Gaff and DJ Zimmie soared through the balmy air and hoards of Pittsburgh's grooviest art supporters shimmied and shook into the night. After tallying up all of our ticket sales and sponsor pledges, we brought in a whopping $260,000 for the museum. That is the most we've ever raised in the Urban Garden Party's 16-year history, and it's all thanks to you!

Some of the coverage we have received to date:

"Its reputation preceding itself, the 2013 Urban Garden Party lived up to all expectations by unleashing a torrent of glorious celebration that left its mark on 1,300 who traded convention for a night unlike any other." -Kate Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

"So began an evening that is the envy of every nonprofit in town, a bash that's pure fun and still made $250,000 thanks to chairs Anuj and Anne Nemer Dhanda." -Marylynn Uricchio, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

WPXI's See and Be Seen, Urban Garden Party held at Mattress Factory

Mattress Factory Co-Director Barbara Luderowski, Chairman of the Board Michael White and Co-Director Michael Olijnyk

Our photographers were roving the party all night and we're uploading pictures to Flickr as we get them. We would also love your submissions to our group pool with the tag ugp2013. Or tweet your pics to @mattressfactory using #soulfactory. If you had your picture taken in our photo booth at the party, your pictures are here.

Finally, a big heartfelt Mattress Factory THANK YOU to our co-chairs Anne + Anuj Dhanda. We could not have thrown the hottest party in Pittsburgh without the help of our co-chairs, who not only know how to steer a party-planning committee, they also know how to get down! We are so grateful to the Dhandas and all of our sponsors for their incredible support this year. Make sure to help us thank our sponsors by seeking them for any of the professional services they provide. 

Party co-chairs Anuj (left) and Anne (right) Dhanda shake it with a go-go dancer

Keep an eye out on our website for the announcement of next year's Urban Garden Party date!

 

POSTED BY MANDY Read All Posts by Mandy