Mardi Gras: Party By Design On Display Thru March 26
The Bryan Museum Celebrates The Exuberant History of Mardi Gras in New Exhibit
The Bryan Museum is proud to present their newest exhibit
“Mardi Gras: Party by Design,“ on view from February 10
through March 26, 2023.
With the third largest Mardi Gras celebration in the country,
Galveston has a rich history of tradition. The Bryan Museum
is pleased to showcase their 3rd annual Mardi Gras exhibition
focusing on the people who conceive and create these
extravagant looks.
Galveston Mardi Gras began in 1867, and by 1871 there were
citywide celebrations, parades, lavish parties, costumes and
an annual theme. The Island celebrations have been halted
over the last 156 years for various reasons including the Great
Storm of 1900, World War II, and most recently the Covid-19
pandemic.
Island born businessman and philanthropist George P. Mitchell
helped Mardi Gras regain traction as a citywide event in the
mid-1980s. Except for its 2021 cancellation, the celebrations
have been going strong for over 35 years.
The items on display include costumes and sketches from
the 1930s-1950s on loan from The Rosenberg Library and The
Galveston County Museum.
Mardi Gras revival items from the 1980s include the 20’ x 40’
mural by artist William “Billy” Quinn created for the ‘Carnival
Di Venizia’ theme in 1988, and a costume worn by a member
of the Quaker City String Band - a group of musicians known
as the Philadelphia Mummers who marched in the parades up
until a couple of years ago.
Recent designs are by notable Galveston costumer Danny Lee
Morgan and seamstress extraordinaire Jo Daily who has been
making Treasure Ball trains for over 40 years.
This exhibit would be incomplete without a nod towards
local talented individuals who create celebratory items for themselves, family and friends. Such items include the amazing
posters, umbrellas and costumes.
The Bryan Museum is located at 1315 21st Street. The museum
is open Wednesday thru Sunday from 10am-5pm. For more
details call 409.632.7685 or visit www.thebryanmuseum.org.