SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The San Diego Museum of Art will be transformed into a gorgeous vision of art and flowers as more than 100 floral designers bring the Museum’s renowned Permanent Collection to life during the 34th annual Art Alive. The Museum’s signature fundraiser and a highly anticipated San Diego tradition, Art Alive 2015 showcases exquisite floral displays infused with three days of celebrations from April 24-26, 2015.
This year, Art Alive will honor the 100th anniversary of Balboa Park. To celebrate this major milestone, René van Rems of René van Rems International will return for his seventh year as the Rotunda Designer. Informed by historic archives from 1915, van Rems will transform the Museum’s central Rotunda into a lush and beautiful floral design and art experience reflective of the Victorian era in Europe and the early days in San Diego. His design will incorporate California-grown flowers such as white hydrangeas, trumpet lilies, carnations, flowering herbs, and more. An internationally known floral artist from Amsterdam, van Rems has been involved with Art Alive since its inception and last served as the Rotunda Designer in 2011.
This year’s floral exhibition will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24, through Sunday, April 26. General admission is free for members, $20 for nonmembers, and free for children age 6 and under. In addition to viewing the annual floral exhibition during Museum hours, Art Alive 2015 offers three full days of events, activities, and celebrations featuring:
BLOOM BASH
Friday, April 24, 7:00 p.m. – Midnight
For the second year in a row, Art Alive will kick off with the Bloom Bash Opening Celebration.
Featuring and inspired by Modern Hieroglyphics of Chor Boogie’s eclectic artwork, this funky, graffiti-themed party features culinary creations from San Diego’s top restaurants and chefs, floral-infused Patron cocktails, live music, interactive entertainment, and an exclusive after-hours viewing of this year’s floral exhibition. Tickets to the Bloom Bash are $200 for members and $250 for nonmembers.
Garden of Activities
Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26, Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Great for families, the Garden of Activities features a Museum-wide flower hunt, a children’s reading area complete with nature-inspired stories, and a variety of floral-themed projects designed for children and families to enjoy together. Activities are free after Art Alive floral exhibition general admission.
Floral Lecture
Saturday, April 25, 10:00 a.m.
From Fabergé to Cartier, independent curator and Fabergé expert Timothy Adams will speak on the influence of flowers and nature on goldsmiths from the turn of the 20th century to present. Adams is Curatorial Consultant for the Decorative Arts department at the Bowers Museum, and Fabergé Historian for the Museum’s 1989 Fabergé: The Imperial Eggs exhibition. Tickets to this annual presentation are $15 for members and $25 for nonmembers.
Floral Masterclass
Sunday, April 26, 10:00 a.m.
Inspired by Balboa Park’s Centennial, the 2015 Floral Masterclass takes inspiration from the California garden-style arrangements in fashion at the time. Workshop attendees will create and take home an elegant arrangement pairing traditional European elements with a California twist. Designed for all levels of experience, this workshop is led by Sharon Mintz, 2007 Rotunda Designer, 15-year Art Alive legacy designer, and designer at San Diego’s Organic Elements. Tickets are $100 members, $125 for nonmembers, and include a continental breakfast.
FIDM – Fashion Meets Art
In addition to the floral exhibition and events, fashion designer Paul Hernandez will create one-of-a-kind, draped dress forms inspired by four works from the Museum’s Permanent Collection. A San Diego native and Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising graduate, Hernandez has worked with Levi’s, Lacoste, and the Make a Wish Foundation among other notable labels and causes. FIDM is a WASC-accredited, private college for specialized professional education in Fashion, Graphics, Interior Design and Entertainment, and is headquartered in Los Angeles with campuses in San Diego, Orange County, and San Francisco.
