Sculpting Tradition: Float Prop Workshop

The Mobile Arts Council, in partnership with the Alabama Folklife Association and Mobile Botanical Gardens, is pleased to announce the second Float Prop Workshop, an immersive, hands-on opportunity for artists, educators, and creative professionals interested in the art and industry of float construction.

Participants will learn from Steve Mussell and a team of professional float builders whose combined experience spans more than 100 years in float design, prop fabrication, sculpture, and Mardi Gras artistry. The workshop provides direct instruction from industry experts, offering valuable insight into the techniques, materials, and creative processes used to bring Mardi Gras floats to life.

Attendees will receive:

• Hands-on training in float prop construction and sculpture
• A complete curriculum package for classroom use
• Firsthand exposure to careers in float building and Mardi Gras production
• A ready-to-paint float prop sculpture to take home
• Opportunities to collaborate and learn alongside fellow artists and educators

For professional artists, this workshop offers a unique chance to explore whether float building could be a future career path. Mobile’s Mardi Gras industry relies on skilled artists, sculptors, painters, and fabricators to create the spectacular floats and props that define the city’s celebrated traditions. Participants will gain practical experience and a behind-the-scenes look at a creative field that blends fine art, craftsmanship, and large-scale public art production.

Registration is limited to 20 participants, making this a rare opportunity to learn directly from some of the region’s most experienced float builders while helping preserve and advance one of Mobile’s most treasured cultural traditions. Reserve you spot here today!