Mardi Gras Coconuts are original hand carved coconuts made by a self taught coconut artist.  They are hand crafted and are meant to be the New Orleans Carnival's most unique souvenir and collector's item. Since they are made entirely by hand, they are still rare, and will be for many years to come, with very few now in existence (Currently less than 20,000).  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, care, and the ability to keep the work permanently, as a keep sake,  in mind.

 The artist also has carved pieces for the Zulu King and Queen for two years, and was honored, to have been chosen to carve his special brand of Mardi Gras Coconuts for the first 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 is on display at the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club on Broad St in Downtown New Orleans.  

Each hand carved piece takes approximately 1½ days to complete, and because of the unique nature of choosing a seed pod as a carving canvass, cannot be exactly duplicated ever again. Each and every one is truly a unique work of art. Realizing this, each piece is authenticated, numbered, and registered. Each carved piece is a guaranteed conversation piece, and the best souvenir and personal memento you'll ever own of your trip to the New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration, the "Greatest Free Show on Earth".

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 split and the meat and milk removed. A preservative is sprayed on the inside shell to prevent mold, and moisture problems, then resealed. Each piece is then sanded on one side, though a process known as "progressive sanding". This is designed to bring the coconut an extremely smooth and reflective surface and thus prepared to accept the graphic design. 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 a  signed certificate of authenticity and each coconut which is numbered and registered by the artist. 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.

Starting sometime in mid 2001, you will be able to get them in very limited numbers at some of the downtown New Orleans  gift shops.