The San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) will come alive with floral interpretations of works at Art Alive, the museum’s largest and most fragrant fund-raiser. The event celebrates its 25th anniversary with a four-day exhibition from Thursday, April 27 to Sunday, April 30.
More than 100 works from the museum’s collection will be translated into three-dimensional floral arrangements by local florists, among them six members of the Point Loma Garden Club. An estimated 15,000 people are expected to peruse and admire the floral displays and their corresponding paintings or sculptures throughout the weekend.
“We do try to select works that are the most popular or the most interesting to design for,” said Chris Zook, SDMA senior public relations officer.
In addition to the individual arrangements, SDMA selects one florist to design the massive rotunda display in the center of the building. Green, a full-service florist located at 905 E St., will render this year’s Hollywood Regency theme with shades of cool grey, blue, gold, yellow, light pink and teal.
“It involves kind of a very clean garden look, a French garden look with a mid-century modern twist to it,” said Green co-owner Carlos Franco of the theme. He and business partner Rob Hellander have been planning the rotunda design for more than a month, but have only three evenings after the museum closes to install their arrangements prior to Thursday’s opening exhibition. The majority of the 7,000 flowers used in the design will be donated at the last minute by local growers at a wholesale market in Carlsbad.
Franco and Hellander chose topiaries and flowers expected to last up to six days, although they will replace dying flowers as needed. The assortment includes spider mums, china mums, delphiniums, daisies and blooming forsythia branches.
“The pieces won’t all fall together until they’re setting it up because there are always last minute changes,” Franco added. “We are known for being able to change it right at the end if we need to and it still looks just as good.”
The hands-on team at Green frequently works on large events, such as weddings or corporate conferences, in addition to selling individual bouquets out of their store. Franco participated in Art Alive as an individual florist for 14 years and always entertained aspirations of designing the rotunda.
“I’m finally getting my dream,” he said of being selected. “I feel very special and very honored.”
Art Alive kicks off on Thursday evening with a free preview of the exhibition at its freshest and most aromatic. This exclusive glimpse is available to museum members only from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The general public will have to wait until the following day at 10 a.m. to experience the museum’s transformation. The galleries will be open on Friday until 9 p.m., with a special evening viewing beginning at 6 p.m. Flowers After Hours is a new addition to the Art Alive schedule featuring a no-host bar and music included with general admission.
The main exhibition continues on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last entrance is one hour prior to the museum’s closing and tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 seniors, military and students.
The truly extravagant events take place Saturday evening and are small gatherings with limited tickets available, all of which request festive floral or cocktail attire.
The Champagne Celebration begins at 6 p.m. and runs until 7:30 p.m. Marine Room chef Bernard Guillas will serve his award-winning cuisine, accompanied by cocktails and a VIP atmosphere. Tickets cost $500 and also include valet parking and admission to Gala Wonderland and Late Bloomers.
Gala Wonderland begins after the Champagne Celebration and concludes at midnight. Guests can partake in a smorgasbord of gourmet food from the Prado, Laurel, Fresh, Trattoria Acqua, the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club’s restaurant, Waters Fine Catering and Crown Point Catering. Fine wine and dancing “” music courtesy of singer David Patrone and his orchestra “” conclude the gala, which costs $225 and includes admission to Late Bloomers.
From 9:30 p.m. to midnight, Late Bloomers will provide dessert, cheese, a Pravada Vodka cocktail bar and music from DJ Damon Bell. The late night event is fashioned after the museum’s Culture & Cocktail series and costs $75 per person.
“It will be more kind of a club atmosphere with DJ’ed music, coffee, desserts and wine,” Zook said.
For early risers, Art Alive provides various daytime activities on Friday. Parisian master floral designer Christian Tortu “” known for his famous and often royal clientele “” will speak about his nature-inspired style and share some secrets at a lecture and demonstration from 10:30 a.m. to noon at James S. Copley Auditorium. Tickets are $40 for museum members, $50 non-members.
The Lily Luncheon follows the presentation at the Loggia Room in Balboa Park’s House of Hospitality. Lunch begins at 12:30 p.m. and attendance is limited to 100. Tickets can be purchased for $100 by calling (619) 232-7931.
Additionally, handmade jewelry by Sheri Liebert and gardening gear from multiple vendors will be on sale throughout the weekend.
All ticket proceeds benefit the museum’s collection conservation, gallery presentations and educational outreach programs. The museum hope sto exceed last year’s take of $200,000.
Tickets can be purchased by contacting the SDMA, or through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or (619) 220-8497. For more information, visit www.sdmart.org, call (619) 696-1999 or email [email protected].