Next weekend, April 28-30th, marks the 36th Annual Art Alive celebration at The San Diego Museum of Art. This highly popular and much-anticipated event is a favorite of local San Diegans but also draws attention from visitors across the country.

Art Alive is a springtime tradition of transforming the famed John M. and Sally B. Thornton Rotunda into a colorful, expressive installation. This year’s theme is designed by the award-winning floral designer,  Carlos Franco of Green Fresh Florals, and is entitled Flora Morphic: Sky of Colors.

This year marks Franco’s fourth Art Alive installation and is described as a “surrealist dream of sunrise and sunset”. The installation will be completely immersive, beginning outside the Museum, flowing through the entryway and up to the second level Rotunda area.

Franco says, “Imagine if you will, someone has poured a paint can into the Museum. Orange, red, and yellow paint falling from the atrium above, splashing onto the fountain, splattering on the ceilings, down the walls, out onto the front steps. Guests will be immersed in the installation with the fragrance of flowers, accompanying audio, and washes of color that will gently change throughout the day.”

While studying floral design, Franco found inspiration and studied his craft in both London and Paris. In 2002, he returned to San Diego and began his own floral design studio, Green Fresh Florals. Green Fresh Florals has become an oasis of design, creativity, and originality, and the premier floral design resource for San Diego. Franco’s clients are his co-creators who inspire him daily to compose unique floral interpretations that reflect the spirit of their imagination.

 

Interested in attending? We don’t blame you! It’s an incredible exhibition to see, smell and experience. Museum members receive complimentary admission to the Art Alive 2017 floral exhibition, discounts on all related events, and the opportunity to vote for their favorite design during the exclusive Members’ Preview before the exhibition opens to the general public. Show your membership card to get into the exhibition for free.

General Admission tickets are $25 for non-members, $5 for children and young adults ages 7-17. Children 7 and under are complimentary. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.