It’s the first Saturday of Mardi Gras, so it’s time for the second annual Festival of the Beautiful! We started this event along with the Galveston Arts Center and the Hotel Artist Lofts as a response to the rising ticket prices and heightened fences of Galveston’s Mardi Gras. This event is free and open to everyone’s interpretation of beauty! Costumes and handmade gifts (to be given away in lieu of beads) are highly encouraged.
The King of the Babies and Super Sallie are ready to go! But first we must consult the Oracle.
Undeterred by the pouring rain, we set out for the Artists Lofts to meet the rest of our crew.
We took refuge in the Proletariat to warm up before we began the rest of our festive journey.
Our crew paraded down Postoffice, giving handmade gifts to fellow merrymakers and onlookers.
Thank you to current artists in residence Kristina and Justin for bearing the ark back to the sacred fire!
Thank you to Becky Major for her excellent bull-horn skills, David for adding his sousaphone into our parade cacophony, and Dennis Nance for navigating our path through the fog.
After our downtown meandering we headed back to GAR to give our offerings to the magical fire.
Offerings were made, and the fire accepted!
We sealed the deal through music! Thank you to Mariana Kunst Fascion (of BOAN) for her amazing performance.
And Tex Kirschen and Erika Thrasher (of Studded Left and Indian Jewelry) for bringing it home!
Somewhere in the fog is Michael Allison, once again taking care of the sound, the lights, and the THICK MYST.
Not pictured is Dan Schmahl, because he was once again, the man behind the camera. Therefore he appears in none, or all of these pictures, depending on how you look at it.
It was an amazing night, with fun had by all!
Thanks to everyone who came out that night and helped us celebrate. When we emptied our pockets the next morning we found so many amazing gifts!
Until next year, you beautiful people!
The Gar Blog 
Pingback: Celebrate Mardi Gras with Galveston's Art Organizations | Glasstire