About this New Orleans Master Souvenir Makers & Master Coconut Artist

Carving Artist: Willie W. Clark and Decorative Artist: Marian M. Clark

Welcome! Mardi Gras Collectors & Enthusiest ! A Quick note from the Clarks: We really appreciate all the cards and letters telling me about how great the coconuts look in person. To all those who asked, "Yes", We're making them collectable now, with hand signed certificates, and care instructions included. The Club didn't endorsed the souvenirs last season! The members however are still buying them for friends and family, so we'll hopefully be able to re-enter talks soon.     Mardi Gras Coconuts are original, hand carved coconuts, made by a former New Orleans Zulu club member and artist.  They are meant to be New Orleans Carnival's most unique souvenir and collector's item. They are still rare, and will be, for many years to come, with very few now in existence (Currently less than 1,000. Mr. Clark's individual works are highly prized and sought after, indeed, some of this artist coconuts are on display in the Kenner Rivertown and New Orleans Mardi Gras museums and are carved with quality and care in mind. Some of the owners of his unique artform include, Three U.S. and state senators, a U.S. congressman, New Orleans Mayor, city councilman, Admirals, and Generals, doctor's and lawyers, and others order every season.  The artist also has carved pieces for the Zulu King and Queen for four years, and was honored, to have been chosen to carve his special and unique brand of Mardi Gras Coconuts for the first Mr. Clark after the "down water sand", hand rubs a primary smooth finish on a  coconut entitled, "Zulu shield". Each one is hand crafted to last and represent the skilled tradition of an unique art style and beauty. Because of the method of production, most are made by request only.  and second annual gala ball honoring all of the New Orleans metro area's Krewe Kings, it was aptly named, "Evening with the Kings" Gala. He has also won the annual Zulu Coconut Contest for the  year 2000. That piece was on display at the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club on Broad St in Downtown New Orleans. It turned up missing! Someone has a nice looking souvenir!   Also among the honors, so far are, his pieces having been featured on local television station, WWL-TV. His engraved coconuts were the very first of any Zulu coconut orany Mardi Gras coconut art to be auctioned off to the local market from the local PBS station, WYES, New Orleans. This was not even possible before, because the art was not viable enough to bring to this stage.   The Zulu's actually buy these coconuts their sponsors and high officials, other clubs Kings & Queens, as well as special events. It is considered an extremely high honor to receive one.  In 2002, several test stores were set up to retail the coconut art on a regular basis, following those successful test,  we are now proceeding with full retail operations, in the French market. It is the first time that someone can come to the city, at times other than Mardi Gras, and pick up the most sought after throw. Each hand carved piece depending on the design can take approximately 2  to 5 days to complete, and because of the unique nature of choosing a seed pod as a carving canvass, no one coconut can ever be exactly duplicated again. Each and every one is truly a unique work of art. Carnival, African, and general art themes,  in text and graphics, are carved into this thin shell. Realizing this, each piece is authenticated, numbered, and registered and signed by the artists. Each carved piece is a guaranteed conversation piece, and the absolute best souvenir and personal memento you'll ever own, of your trip to the New Orleans, and /or it's Mardi Gras celebration, the "Greatest Free Show on Earth". Each is hand painted , by Marian Clark, to bring out the beauty of the design. Here are carefully created  ribbons floating, on the piece entitled, "Mardi Gras on Bourbon St.". Starting from a coconut from the Dominican Republic, the coconuts are hand graded according to their size and what design they can accept. The coconuts are then injected with a special formula known only to the artist, to removed the meat and milk. A special non-toxic preservative is then injected into the cavity and  sprayed on the inside shell to prevent mold, and moisture problems, then the coconut is resealed. Each piece is then specially sanded on one side, though a process known as "down water sanding". This unique process is designed to bring the tough coconut shell to an extremely smooth and reflective surface and thus just at this point, prepared to accept the graphic design. Pictures of individuals, places, history, and Carnival scenes are then carved in relief, creating a 3D version of the graphic or picture used. After the relief carving has been done, the piece is then hand decorated, depending on the piece, with, glitter, fabric paint, feathers, cloth, and faux stones.    You will receive an artist signed certificate of authenticity and each coconut which is numbered and registered.  Each nut comes wrapped in tissue paper, in a gift box with each box having an embossed seal, stating that they are part of the,       " Clark Collection "  of Mardi Gras Coconuts,   the absolute finest coconut souvenir available from anyone or anywhere, in Carnival.