[Placeholder: Hero photo — students crafting wearable art, warm daylight]
FOR COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
AN ARTY DARTY
A Different Kind of Campus DARTY
An ARTY DARTY combines the social energy of a day party with a hands-on creative experience.
Traditional DARTYs often center around alcohol. But as the New York Times recently reported, Wellness DARTYs are emerging on college campuses as an alcohol-free way for students to socialize, connect and do something different.
We took the wellness idea in a creative direction. For an ARTY DARTY, creativity is the wellness experience.
It's also a built-in photo opportunity — participants leave wearing something eye-catching and worth sharing.
[Placeholder: Photo — mannequin head canvas with faux flowers, feathers, ribbons laid out]
CREATE SOMETHING YOU CAN WEAR
How We Put the ARTY in DARTY
Flower crowns are where we started — but for an ARTY DARTY, we've expanded well beyond that. Alongside our usual florals, we bring materials for cosplay-inspired headpieces, steampunk-style headdresses, and pieces built from feathers and shells.
Participants create wearable art headpieces using a mannequin head as their creative canvas, along with a glue gun and a headband. They might design a flower crown, a Mad Hatter-inspired mini hat, a cosplay headpiece or something completely original.
They choose from faux flowers, feathers, shells, ribbons, chains, charms and other curated embellishments to bring their ideas to life.
Because participants create with sustainable materials, their headpiece can be worn for years after the event is over — a keepsake of their college years.
There is no prescribed design. Our team is there to offer guidance, but each participant decides where their imagination takes them.
SEE DARTY PRICING
Fun Meets STEAM
It feels like play. But it's also composition, symmetry, spatial planning, balance, problem-solving, weight distribution and attachment technique.
Participants learn by doing, not by being taught.
Creativity is the experience. Learning is built in.
[Placeholder: Photo — students customizing materials in school colors]
EASY FOR YOU. ENGAGING FOR THEM.
Customize It for Your Campus
The drop-in format lets participants arrive, choose their materials and create at their own pace. We bring the materials, supplies, music, staff and creative guidance — and handle setup and cleanup.
We can curate the materials around school colors, sorority colors, holidays, cultural celebrations or a special event theme — for Welcome Week, Residence Life, Homecoming, sorority events, Parent & Family Weekend, alumni events and more.
Your campus. Your theme. Their creativity.
SEE DARTY PRICING
ARTY DARTY Pricing
We bring the ARTY DARTY to colleges and universities across the SF Bay Area — pick your package below.
UP TO 25
$1,500
UP TO 50
$2,500
UP TO 75
$3,500
UP TO 100
$4,500
Every package includes mannequin heads, wearable-art materials, crafting supplies, music, creative guidance, event staff, setup and cleanup.
Planning for more than 100 participants? Contact us for a custom quote.
Pricing includes travel within 25 miles of our Oakland warehouse. Additional travel fees may apply for locations farther away.
BRING AN ARTY DARTY TO YOUR CAMPUS
So Who Is Mannequin Madness?
We've spent 20+ years recycling mannequins and hosting creative experiences using mannequins. An ARTY DARTY may be a new concept, but bringing people together through hands-on creativity is something we know well. Mannequin Madness has brought creative experiences to corporate events, museums, libraries and community programs throughout the Bay Area.
[Placeholder: Client logo row — SFMOMA, the Exploratorium, Airbnb, Zoox, Scale AI, Atlassian, Brex]
[Placeholder: Photo grid — real photos from previous mobile creative experiences]
FAQ
Is an ARTY DARTY just for students?
No. While the concept was inspired by the Wellness DARTY trend among college students, the experience can include students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff and other members of the campus community.
Do participants need artistic experience?
No. Beginners are welcome. Our team provides guidance, but there is no prescribed design participants have to follow.
Does everyone have to arrive at the same time?
No. ARTY DARTYs are designed for flexible drop-in participation. Participants can arrive and create at their own pace.
Can an ARTY DARTY be held outdoors?
No. ARTY DARTYs are indoors only because we use glue guns and need electrical access at the crafting tables.
What does my campus need to provide?
Tables and seating for participants, additional tables for our materials and supplies, and access to electrical outlets near the crafting tables for our glue guns.
Do you carry liability insurance?
Yes. Mannequin Madness is insured and can provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) upon request.
Bring an ARTY DARTY to Your Campus
Give participants something to make, something to talk about and something to wear home.
No alcohol. No pressure. Lots of creativity.