Celebrate Art and Community with Floral Interpretations of Famous Works of Art Inspired by the Museum’s Collection
SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Museum of Art is in full bloom this spring with floral designers transforming famous works of art from the Museum’s collection into floral displays March 31–April 2, 2023. Art Alive is The San Diego Museum of Art’s annual fundraiser, providing critical year-round support for exhibitions, education, and outreach programs in the community.
The signature celebration will feature nearly 100 floral arrangements inspired by works of art in the Museum’s collection. The theme for this year’s Art Alive is Modern Women, taking inspiration from the exhibition of the same name showcasing works of art by monumental women in the art world, including Sonia Delaunay, Françoise Gilot, and key Abstract Expressionists Lee Krasner and Elaine de Kooning. Complementing the exhibition, Art Alive 2023 features a selection of highly talented women as keynote artists, including Amanda Witucki, Laurie Shapiro, and Natalie Gill. California-born and -raised floral artist Natalie Gill, this year’s rotunda designer, will fill the Museum’s two-story rotunda with explosions of flowers in vibrant shades of pink, coral, and blush to create an immersive experience that invokes excitement and offers creative stimulation for guests.
Bloom Bash also returns this year, offering immersive art installations; live performances; sweet and savory bites from more than 30 local eateries; and signature cocktails, craft beer, and upscale wines. The 21+ Art Alive kick-off party also features a Ferris wheel in the Plaza de Panama outside the Museum, live music by LA-based DJ Kara Ford and smooth jazz musician Erisa Ford, and after-hours access to the Art Alive floral exhibition.
“We are thrilled to celebrate art and culture with the San Diego community and beyond,” says Roxana Velásquez, Maruja Baldwin Executive Director and CEO at The San Diego Museum of Art. “It is quite special to be able to juxtapose classic works of art with the innovation and beauty that modern floral artists bring to life. It is our hope through this collaboration of art forms, all our guests can gain a new sense of appreciation and wonder for nature and art combined.”
The 2023 Art Alive floral exhibition will be on display Friday, March 31, from noon to 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, and Sunday, April 2. General admission is complimentary for members, $40 for nonmembers, $5 for youth ages 7-17, and free for youth ages 0-6. Timed tickets are required. Entry is anytime within the designated hour. Once inside, guests can enjoy Art Alive at their own pace; exit is not timed. Bloom Bash and Premiere Dinner tickets are sold separately.
In addition to viewing the annual Art Alive floral exhibition, Art Alive 2023 offers four full days of experiences, activities, and celebrations, including:
Art Alive 2023 Premiere Dinner
Thursday, March 30: 6:30 p.m.–11:00 p.m.
The Art Alive Premiere Dinner is an elegant black-tie event, celebrating art with a spectacular dinner in a Museum gallery surrounded by a special installation of work by paper sculpture artist Amanda Witucki. The Premiere Dinner also offers a first look at the Art Alive floral exhibition, a cocktail hour in the Museum rotunda among the Art Alive 2023 rotunda design of cascading florals, and a decadent multi-course meal that includes extraordinary entrees, an open bar, and decadent desserts.
Members’ Preview
Friday, March 31: 8:00 a.m.–noon
Museum members have early access to view the nearly 100 floral arrangements interpreting works of art throughout the Museum; experience the Art Alive 2023 rotunda design by Natalie Gill, enjoy the special art installations only on view during Art Alive, and vote for their favorite floral interpretations in the Art Alive floral exhibition to select the three Members’ Choice Winners.
Bloom Bash
Friday, March 31: 7:00 p.m.–midnight
$250 for members, $300 for nonmembers
Bloom Bash is a 21+ event kicking off Art Alive weekend with craft food and cocktails, a Ferris wheel and other festivities in the plaza outside the Museum, after-hours viewing of the Art Alive floral exhibition, and special art installations by artist and painter Laurie Shapiro and self-taught paper sculpture artist Amanda Witucki. Bloom Bash will also feature sweet and savory delicacies from more than 30 top eateries; signature cocktails, craft beer, and upscale wine; plus, live music, unique performances, and all-night dancing.
Garden of Activities
Saturday, April 1: noon–4:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 2: noon–4:00 p.m.
Free with Art Alive Admission
The Garden of Activities introduces hands-on fun with interactive projects and demonstrations that are open to artists of all ages, offering a great way to experiment and explore the floral-themed art-making space. The Garden of Activities guided projects are inspired by nature and the featured Modern Women exhibition.
The San Diego Museum of Art is reaching all-new audiences with the joy of art and florals in support of Art Alive 2023 by partnering with The Flower Fields in Carlsbad to showcase a new mural by artist Thao Huyhn French. Back by popular social media demand, the Museum is also again bringing large-scale pop-up floral installations by Native Poppy to four surprise partner locations around town in the weekends leading up to Art Alive.
About Art Alive
As the Museum’s largest annual fundraiser, Art Alive highlights the Museum’s collection to provide critical support for education, outreach programs and special exhibitions year-round. For more information or to donate to 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 https://www.sdmart.org/art-alive-tickets/.
Support for Art Alive is provided by thousands of generous individuals, foundations and corporations, including lead sponsors Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Toni Bloomberg, Tatiana and Robert Dotson, Rachel and David Inmon, Taffin Ann and Gene Ray, Valerie and Harry Cooper, Arlene Esgate, Micki Olin and Reid Adams, Demi and Frank Rogozienski, and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. The Art Alive 2023 Premiere Dinner Chairs are Toni Bloomberg, Valerie Cooper, Tatiana Dotson, Arlene Esgate, Micki Olin, and Demi Rogozienski. Bloom Bash Chairs are Robin Wilson Carrier, Mitch Mitchell, Micki Olin, and Rhianna White.
For more information on The San Diego Museum of Art or to purchase tickets or 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 22,000 works—dating from 3000 BC to present day—includes Spanish and Italian old masters, South Asian paintings including the Edwin Binney 3rd Collection, 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 hosts engaging experiences that invite visitors to explore art through music, dance, film, food, and so much more. The Museum also offers Virtual SDMA, a variety of online experiences, including the SDMA app, Masterpiece Minute podcast, virtual performances in collaboration with other local arts institutions and 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: http://www.SDMArt.org Twitter: @SDMA, Instagram: @SanDiegoMuseumofArt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSanDiegoMuseumOfArt.
