The Beloved Tradition Features New Programs, Jaw-Dropping Florals and More on View June 18-20, 2021
SAN DIEGO, CA – The San Diego Museum of Art’s 40th annual Art Alive exhibition will kick off the summer with a weekend of newly imagined festive floral events. The celebration includes nearly 100 floral designers’ exquisite interpretations of famous works of art from the Museum, with the sights, scents and sounds of the floral exhibition spilling onto the Balboa Park Plaza de Panama for a variety of outdoor activities. On view June 18 – June 20, 2021, this highly anticipated San Diego tradition is the Museum’s signature fundraiser in support of education, outreach programs and special exhibitions.
This year, Bloom Bash – the exclusive opening party – takes a hiatus for the new Color Feast, an intimate but full surround-sound, synesthetic outdoor dining experience that kicks off the weekend celebrations. Also new this year is the Open Air Floral Affair, a floral fusion of activities, design demonstrations, the popular Garden of Activities, delicious treats from San Diego’s top restaurants and more, taking place in the Plaza de Panama throughout the three-day event.
Art Alive 2021 will also offer more virtual festivities, including a 360 virtual tour of the floral exhibition, a virtual silent auction, at-home workshops for all ages and more.
“We’re thrilled to once again host our annual Art Alive weekend, a celebratory exhibition that helps support essential public programs, education, community outreach and special exhibitions for the Museum,” said Roxana Velásquez, Maruja Baldwin Executive Director at The San Diego Museum of Art. “Two new exhibitions will also open Art Alive weekend. These new exhibitions bring iconic masterpieces of European art from the Bemberg Collection and beautiful drawings by Ana de Alvear, a contemporary Spanish artist, to the U.S. for the first time, making this year especially remarkable.”
This year, Beth O’Reilly, AIDF, TMF, an internationally recognized floral artist, has been selected as the Rotunda Designer. O’Reilly will transform the Museum’s Rotunda into “Botanical Graffiti” — a contemporary floral installation so vivid it sits on the edge of reality. Using bright colors, bold shapes, and color blocking with both fresh and preserved materials, “Botanical Graffiti” takes viewers on an immersive floral journey intended to celebrate the beauty of healing during a time of global crisis. O’Reilly is a Texas Certified 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. She also recently competed on Full Bloom, an HBO Max original series where top florists from around the country create larger-than-life floral installations.
The Art Alive 2021 floral exhibition will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19, and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 20. General admission is free for members, $25 for nonmembers ($40 to include Open Air Floral Affair), $5 for youth (ages 7 to 17), and free for children age 6 and under. To ensure social distancing guidelines are being met, a timed entry process is required for all visitors. In addition to viewing the annual floral exhibition during Museum hours, Art Alive 2021 offers four full days of experiences, activities and celebrations, including:
Art Alive 2021 Premiere Dinner
Thursday, June 17: 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
An intimate black-tie event, the Premiere Dinner will take place under the stars, among lush florals and art installations in the Museum’s May S. Marcy Sculpture Garden.
Member’s Preview
Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Early access to the exhibition for Museum members.
Color Feast
Friday, June 18: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
$400 for members and $500 for nonmembers
New this year, Color Feast is a full spectrum, multi-course dining experience under the stars in the Museum’s Sculpture Garden. Each guest will be treated to a five-course dinner with themed cocktail and wine pairings for each course. Captivating entertainment, glitzy giveaways and other mysterious surprises accompany the experience.
The price includes the ticket for the 6:00 p.m. slot of the Art Alive exhibition so Color Feast guests can enjoy the floral interpretations and Floral Affair prior to dinner.
Open Air Floral Affair
Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 20: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Free for members and children 17 and under; $40 for nonmembers (includes Art Alive floral exhibition)
A floral infusion of activities, design demonstrations, unique gifts, flourishing creativity and delicious delights from San Diego’s top restaurants. The outdoor celebration offers floral fun and excitement for all ages.
Garden of Activities
Friday, June 18 – Sunday, June 20: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Free after Art Alive with Open Air Floral Affair admission
Great for families, the Garden of Activities features a variety of floral-themed art projects designed for children and families to enjoy together.
Art Alive 2021 will also feature virtual packages this year for those looking to enjoy the floral experience from home. Visit SDMArt.org/ArtAlive2021 for more details or to purchase a virtual package. Tickets and virtual packages go on sale April 5 to Museum members and April 19 to the public.
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/ArtAlive2021.
Support for Art Alive has been provided by Harrah’s Resort SoCal, Cox Communications, Viasat and Cutwater Spirits. The Art Alive 2021Premiere Dinner Chairs are Toni Bloomberg, Tatiana Dotson, Arlene Esgate, Micki Olin and Demi Rogozienski. Color Feast chairs are Robin Wilson Carrier, Gita Khadiri, Mitch Mitchell and Micki Olin.
For more information on The San Diego Museum of Art or to purchase tickets or a membership, visit www.SDMArt.org.
About The San Diego Museum of Art
Providing a rich and diverse cultural experience, The San Diego Museum of Art houses some of the world’s finest art. Located in the heart of Balboa Park, the Museum’s internationally renowned collection of more than 20,000 works–dating from 3000 BC to present day–includes Spanish and Italian old masters, South Asian paintings including the Edwin Binney 3rd Collection of Indian paintings, East Asian art, American art, and Modern and Contemporary paintings and sculptures. The Museum regularly features major exhibitions of art from around the world, as well as an extensive year-round schedule supporting cultural and educational programs for children and adults. It also hosts engaging experiences that invite visitors to explore art through music, dance, film, food, and so much more. At The San Diego Museum of Art, exhibition text is always in English and Spanish.
The San Diego Museum of Art is located at 1450 El Prado in Balboa Park, San Diego, Calif., 92101. General Information, (619) 232-7931, Group Sales: (619) 696-1935, Website: https://www.sdmart.org Twitter: @SDMA, Instagram: @SanDiegoMuseumofArt Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheSanDiegoMuseumofArt
