The San Diego Museum of Art celebrated the success of its 44th annual fundraiser, Art Alive, which raised an impressive $1.3 million for its exhibitions, education, outreach, and public programs.
From April 24 to 27, the museum opened its doors to thousands of visitors during a series of events, including the beloved Bloom Bash, showcasing a stunning array of floral art arrangements.
Nearly 100 designers participated in this year’s event, creatively interpreting various artworks from the museum through flowers in a competitive selection process.
For the first time, architectural works joined paintings, drawings, and sculptures as inspiration for the floral designers.
The floral competition has cultivated a sense of community, with many participants returning year after year to share new ideas and reconnect with old friends.
David Root, a long-time participant with 34 years under his belt, stood out this year with his interpretation of DeWain Valentine’s “Circle, Blue-Violet,” earning second place in the members’ choice awards.
The year’s theme of architecture opened up a new avenue for floral creativity, as participants crafted floral designs that mimicked the clean lines and distinctive structures associated with the Light and Space movement of architect Lord Norman Foster.
Melissa Cummings, owner of Pacific Beach-based Petals by the Beach, embraced the challenge of the theme, stating, “I’ve never done anything like this before, so this is a challenge to think outside the box.”
While the event attracts professional florists, many amateurs also participate purely for their love of floral design.
Tiffiney Welles, who has competed for 13 years and recently won an award for her innovative interpretation of a chair, expressed her passion for being part of the event: “I love doing it. That’s why I’m here. I’m not trying to sell myself. I just enjoy it and I want other people to enjoy it.”
Looking ahead to 2025, Welles shared her upcoming project involving two miniature floral-decorated vases in the East Asian art section. She creatively transformed a plain white vase by breaking it and allowing flowers to burst forth, incorporating a variety of blooms including blue delphinium and Marilyn Monroe roses from her garden.
Another floral artist, Laura Vavrunek, paid homage to architectural design by weaving greens into a dome over calla lilies, inspired by the glass dome she won in a lottery. “I felt really special to be part of this architectural exhibit because I have an engineering and interior design background. The structure… called to me,” she remarked.
The collaborative atmosphere was evident as groups of “flower friends” encouraged each other during the installation process on Thursday, April 24, preparing their creations for thousands of visitors over the weekend, which saw record-breaking attendance of 13,000.
The weekend of events featured a Premiere Dinner, Bloom Bash, Garden of Activities, and a floral exhibition where attendees could admire the flower-inspired interpretations of famous artworks.
Designers took the opportunity to engage with visitors, explaining their conceived floral pieces. Lori Moore, inspired by an untitled painting by Wilfredo Lam, incorporated elements depicting playful African demons into her floral design. “I wanted my piece to actually have something that was giggly and fun and impish as well,” Moore said.
Thelma Gerome, who typically practices Ikebana, a Japanese floral arranging style, stepped outside her usual style to create a piece inspired by Henri Matisse’s “Bouquet.” She combined her Ikebana skills and Matisse’s influence to celebrate the themes of rebirth and spring.
“This year, I decided to try something different,” Gerome explained. “They always want to see each individual flower. This does that.”
The highlight of Art Alive is the grand installation in the museum’s rotunda, spanning three stories and showcasing hanging, spinning, interconnected circles.
This spectacular centerpiece was designed by a husband and wife team, Daniel Schultz and Natasha Lisitsa, adding to the overall immersive experience of the event.
Art Alive 2024 promises to build upon this year’s successful event, continuing to raise vital funds that support the San Diego Museum of Art’s mission to promote art education and community outreach.
As floral artists and visitors celebrate creativity and connection, Art Alive remains a cherished San Diego tradition.
image source from：https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2025/06/12/sdmas-art-alive-broke-attendance-records-raised-1-3-million/
