The San Diego Museum of Art’s 39th annual Art Alive exhibition, a four-day event featuring nearly 100 floral designers’ exquisite interpretations of famous works of art from the Museum, will be on view April 23 – April 26, 2020. A highly anticipated spring tradition, Art Alive is the Museum’s signature fundraiser in support of education, outreach programs and special exhibitions.
Each year, Art Alive attracts more than 12,000 guests to the exhibition, which fills the galleries with a multi-sensory experience of color and scent that complements each unique piece of artwork. In addition, more than 1,500 guests attend Bloom Bash, the exclusive opening party, which expanded last year into the Plaza de Panama to accommodate a growing guest list. This year’s Bloom Bash will feature new engagement activities, 45 restaurant vendors, art installations and the return of a Ferris wheel. Works by artists Rachel B. Hayes and Davis McCarty will transform the plaza with colorful textiles and architectural sculptures.
“We’re elated to host the 39th annual Art Alive weekend, a collaborative and creative tour de force that continues to grow in size and popularity each year with the San Diego community as well as with visitors from around the world,” said Roxana Velásquez, Maruja Baldwin Executive Director at The San Diego Museum of Art. “With increased attendance year-over-year, the Museum is able to further support essential public programs, education, community outreach and special exhibitions to cultivate creativity and increase access to art in our community.”
This year, Beth O’Reilly AIDF, TMF, an internationally recognized floral artist, has been selected as the Rotunda Designer. Using fresh and dried flowers, hearty foliage, air plants and other carefully selected materials, O’Reilly will transform the Museum’s rotunda into a “Garden Revival.” Inspired by Impressionism and Post-Impressionism featuring the Bloomberg Collection, which will be open during Art Alive weekend, lush garden compositions along with hanging installations will descend from the three-story rotunda. O’Reilly is a Certified Texas Master florist and an accredited member of The American Institute of Floral Designers, one of the most prestigious design organizations in the world. Through her installations, O’Reilly encourages others to connect to nature, the planet and each other.
The Art Alive 2020 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, $25 for nonmembers, $5 for youth (ages 7 to 17), and free for children age 6 and under. In addition to viewing the annual floral exhibition during Museum hours, Art Alive 2020 offers four full days of events, activities and celebrations, including:
Art Alive 2020 Premiere Dinner
Thursday, April 23: 6:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
An intimate black-tie event, the Premiere Dinner is set within the Museum’s galleries.
Member’s Preview
Friday, April 24: 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Early access to the exhibition for Museum members.
Bloom Bash
Friday, April 24: 7:00 p.m. – Midnight
$200 for members and $250 for nonmembers
The Bloom Bash Opening Celebration is the official Art Alive kickoff party. The celebration will feature custom art installations by Rachel B. Hayes and Davis McCarty. Los Angeles-based artist Rachel Hayes is known for her work with textiles that use light to transform space. Her work will be featured in the Plaza de Panama court. Her forthcoming solo exhibition Land Lines will be on view at Lowell Ryan Projects in Los Angeles, April 18 through May 30, 2020. Davis McCarty, also a Los Angeles-based artist, is known for his work with functionally integrated architecture sculptures. His work will be featured in the Museum’s Sculpture Garden.
Bloom Bash also features culinary creations from San Diego’s top restaurants and chefs, floral-infused cocktails, live music and dancing, interactive entertainment and an exclusive after-hours viewing of this year’s floral exhibition.
Floral Workshop
Saturday, April 25: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
$75 for members and $100 for nonmembers
The San Diego Museum of Art is partnering with Native Poppy, a San Diego-based floral design company and boutique, to offer an Impressionist-inspired wreath making workshop.
Garden of Activities
Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Free after Art Alive admission
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 art projects designed for children and families to enjoy together.
About Art Alive
As the Museum’s largest annual fundraiser, Art Alive highlights its permanent collection to provide critical support for education, outreach programs and special exhibitions year-round. For more information or to make a donation in support of this San Diego tradition, call the Art Alive Hotline at (619) 696-1999, or contact the Museum at artalive@sdmart.org. Tickets are also available online at www.sdmart.org/artalive.
Support for Art Alive has been provided by Art Alive 2020 Signature Sponsor, the Dr. Seuss Foundation. The Art Alive 2020 Premiere Dinner Chairs are Toni Bloomberg, Tatiana Dotson, Arlene Esgate, Micki Olin and Demi Rogozienski. Bloom Bash chairs are Gita Khadiri, Mitch Mitchell, Micki Olin and Robin Wilson Carrier.
For more information on The San Diego Museum of Art or to purchase tickets or a membership, visit www.SDMArt.org.
