‘Night in the Tropics’ welcomed 1,000 guests to celebrate National Aviary's milestone
Bubba is a palm cockatoo.
He has lived at the National Aviary since 1998.
On Saturday, his likeness was featured in a painting by artist Maria DeSimone Prascak of the South Side Slopes.
She created it in 3 minutes and 25 seconds in what’s called speed painting — creating a work in a specific amount of time. She added another dimension to the creation by decorating the 4 foot by 5 foot canvas with colorful acrylic hues turned upside down.
She flipped the painting right side up when she was done.
DeSimone Prascak chose the song “Believer” by Imagine Dragons to play while she painted at the aviary’s “Night in the Tropics: Vintage Vacation” fundraiser. It was a night to celebrate the aviary’s 70th anniversary.
“I’ve been creating live paintings for six years in front of large crowds,” DeSimone Prascak said. “But this was my first time creating a speed painting as well as painting with two hands for the first time.”
The 1,000 guests who attended were invited to bid on the speed painting as well as a live painting she created of three birds through the silent auction. Six paintings by her husband Johno Prascak, a private owl banding session with the aviary’s ornithologist, Bob Mulvihill, romantic staycations and sports memorabilia, were also featured in the auction. Raffle tickets were sold for a chance to win a trip for two to Maui, sponsored by AAA Travel.
Guests dressed in tropical attire for the sold out event. The evening was chaired by Maris Dauer, senior director of marketing administration and community outreach for UPMC Health Plan, the presenting sponsor of the event.
“This is a really big event for us,” said Molly Toth, communications and content specialist for the aviary. “People were eager to come back.”
Located on Pittsburgh’s North Side, the aviary has been caring for birds for seven decades. Its conservation efforts are internationally recognized.
“Night in the Tropics: Vintage Vacation” was an evening of food, dancing and entertainment such as DeSimone Prascak’s painting which helped raise money for the aviary. Toth said the event raised about $300,000.
“We love the aviary,” said DeSimone Prascak, whose husband John Prascak was also featuring his artwork. “We hope to raise a lot of money for the aviary.”
The sold-out event was the first in two years because of the pandemic. It was an opportunity to showcase the new garden room that has views of the park and Lake Elizabeth in nearby Allegheny Commons Park.
It has bird-friendly glass windows –which have visual markers—and can allow for open-air access to the garden, or remain closed so it can be used year round.
The venue includes ramp access to the restored Rose Garden.
Guests were given access to the aviary’s lush habitats and other animal encounter opportunities from getting photos with an African Penguin to meeting flamingos and sloths and walking through the Tropical Rainforest.
Night in the Tropics Presented by @UPMCHealthPlan begun, and you know what that means? VIP hour, featuring exciting opportunities to Meet the Aviary Stars, and other exclusive perks. Proceeds from Night in the Tropics benefit the National Aviary’s mission. pic.twitter.com/oVfsGXlXxQ
— National Aviary (@National_Aviary) July 17, 2022
There was a full bar with flights of local cider by Threadbare Cider House.
Guests mingled inside and outside. Dancers from Tuika’s Polynesian Island Magic performed as well as Steeltown Band throughout the evening on the same stage as DeSimone Prascak created her painting. She said she likes to draw actual animals that live at the aviary. She and Prascak met at the aviary.
He created the kids poster promotion about the fan experience at PNC Park which will debut at the Pirates game on July 31. They both said giving back to the aviary and other such organizations is important to them as artists.
DeSimone Prascak is celebrating her 40th year as an artist. She said art brings people together, and brings creativity into people’s lives.
“It’s a great time to be an artist, the whole world is at their finger tips with the internet being one of the tools to help with information and exposure,” she said. “I was happy to do this. It was on my bucket list to do a speed painting. And, I decided the 70th anniversary was the perfect time.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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