MOUNTED is the name, taxidermy’s the theme, and Life in Deep Ellum will be the venue for Art Conspiracy‘s annual seed event on June 8.

More than 40 artists are contributing work. Art Con gives them a mounting shield (the wood board taxidermy is attached to) and they take it from there. This year’s crop of contributors are primarily 3-D artists, so expect everything from ceramics to paper sculpture, says Meagan Dahl, Art Con spokeswoman.  Several Makerspace artists are planning digital/techno works as well.

All will be auctioned off at the party. And it will be a party. Life in Deep Ellum becomes a lodge fit for displaying all these trophies.  There will be music – The Days, Bethan, and headliners Calhoun will perform. Food trucks – Nammi and Coolhaus – will be on hand, specialty cocktails will be poured,  and MoKaH Coffee Shop will keep you caffeinated.

The event raises seed money to make Art Conspiracy’s main fund-raiser possible,  later in the year.  ArtCon is an all volunteer, artist-run group that has raised more than $200,000 for small local arts-related non profits. Last year’s beneficiaries were Girls Rock Dallas and W.T. White Academy of Visual and Performing Arts. This year’s beneficiaries will be announced at MOUNTED.