The San Diego Museum of Art is about to be transformed into a secret garden, with floral designers being brought in for the museum’s annual Art Alive fundraiser. Over 100 works of art will be getting the floral treatment, with florists’ creative interpretations presented alongside the original paintings and sculptures that inspired them. The historic building will be full of fresh flowers for three days (April 24-26), with various fun workshops, festivals and celebrations planned.
This year’s Art Alive is dedicated to Balboa Park’s 100th-year anniversary, with the recreated art pieces all being from the museum’s permanent collection. Amsterdam-born floral artist René van Rems (of René van Rems International) is returning for his seventh year as the Rotunda Designer. He will be transforming the lobby into a Victorian-era garden space by using Californian-grown flowers—including white hydrangeas, trumpet lilies, carnations and flowering herbs.
Art Alive will be kicking off with the graffiti-themed Bloom Bash ($200 for members and $250 for non-members) opening party, which will feature Modern Hieroglyphics of Chor Boogie’s eclectic artwork. Food will be provided by some of San Diego’s best restaurants, Patron cocktails will be on-hand, and an exclusive after-hours viewing of the exhibition will be offered.
On Saturday morning at 10 a.m., Art Alive is hosting a Floral Lecture, which will feature independent curator and Fabergé expert Timothy Adams. He will be chatting about the influence flowers have had on goldsmiths and artisans from the early 20th century to now. Tickets cost $15 for members and $25 for non-members. If you want to try your hand at floral design, you should take the Floral Masterclass workshop at 10 a.m. on Sunday. The class will teach you how to create elegant arrangements that put a Californian spin on classic European-styles. Tickets include a continental breakfast costing $100 for members and $125 for non-members.
Make sure to visit the museum between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday, April 24 through Sunday, April 26. General admission for non-members is $20. For as full list of Art Alive events, check out the San Diego Museum of Art event calendar.
