ArtLab toasts its fourth anniversary in new venue

The search for the ultimate party is nearly as old as mankind itself. The quest helped drive bacchanalia during the Roman Empire. In the Swingin’ Sixties, it prompted author Truman Capote to throw his famed black-and-white affair at New York City’s Plaza Hotel. Google “party of the century” and Capote’s shindig still turns up 60 years later.

Closer to home, Stephanie Grae is planning her own epic party. Grae’s isn’t a name you see among the socialites who light up black tie events during season. She mostly works behind the scenes, adding sizzle to other people’s events.

When Grae does produce one of her signature parties, it operates under the name ArtLab. The moniker conjures up visions of performance artists run amok in a chemistry lab and conveys the experimental, avant-garde vibe of Grae’s events.

ArtLab got its start four years ago when Grae, an Atlanta transplant, launched a monthly party on the roof of Art Ovation hotel. Since then, its frequency and location have varied, with venues such as Rose & Ivy and Living Vogue hosting ArtLab.

Wherever ArtLab lands, its mission remains the same. Says Grae: “ArtLab is a celebration of local arts, meant to lift up the community and make sure all kinds of creatives have the chance to be free and authentic.” Hard to argue with that.

But as any  party planner in the area knows, it’s not always easy to find an event space in Sarasota, even when most cultural and philanthropic organizations are on hiatus. Grae discovered her latest venue by chance. 

When she was walking around the Rosemary District, she stumbled upon a large space now known as Aleur Event Collective at 1001 Central Ave. After calling the number listed on the building, she deemed it ideal for ArtLab’s fourth anniversary party on Aug. 8. 

To help her produce the multimedia extravaganza, which includes music, dance, food and drink, visual and performing arts, she enlisted Rachel Alexandra and Tim Mitten as co-producers.

The many attractions at what Grae is billing as “ArtLab in Motion” is too long to list here. Among them are:

• Lipstick Lex offering attendees the chance to create art with lipstick
• Elayna Clair, Carmen Lai Garden and Ella Roark doing living sculptures
• DJ Andrew Shambala spinning tunes
• Sorcha Augustine and Robyn Hall curating visual art exibitions
• Grae, Rick Levine and fellow artists dancing a piece choreographed by Christian Valentin
• Maya providing stylized aerial performances, and
• Trey Jones snapping photos of the event.

Elayna Clair will serve up libations from her signature champagne skirt, Arts & Central will provide bites and Dive Wine and Spirits will offer bourbon tastings.

So if you’re not afraid to get a few raindrops on your party attire, ArtLab could be the escape you and your crew are looking for during what’s shaping up as an epic monsoon season. Best of all: Valet parking is free.