Bouquets to Art 2014 at the de Young to Showcase Bay Area's Designers Work, 3/17-23

Now in its landmark 30th year, Bouquets to Art 2014 at the de Young will showcase work by 125 of the Bay Area's most talented and renowned floral designers. This select group of artists will display original creations ranging in style from the classical to the avant-garde. They will draw inspiration from pieces in the de Young's permanent collections, highlighting the diverse array of works in the museum's holdings in American art to the 20th century, international contemporary art, art of the ancient Americas and Native American art.

In addition to pairing floral designs with the museum's artworks, the annual exhibition features an extensive program of floral design demonstrations and activities for all ages. In honor of its 30th anniversary, Bouquets to Art 2014 will be extended through Sunday, allowing visitors to enjoy and revisit their favorite displays. Colin B. Bailey, director of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco acknowledges that, "since its inception the event has become a cherished San Francisco tradition for both art and flower devotees and draws an avid following from throughout the San Francisco Bay Area." This year, Bouquets to Art 2014 coincides with the special exhibition Modern Nature: Georgia O'Keeffe and Lake George, celebrating the artist famed for her striking depictions of flowers and scenes of nature.

Bouquets to Art 2014 begins on the evening of Monday, March 17, with an opening-night gala and preview of the floral installations. The festive evening will include an elegant buffet catered by McCalls and will feature music by Switched ON Audio, the Jesse Barrett Oboe Quartet, and Alan K. Choy. The gala will also host Floral Fashions, a showcase of couture inspired by artworks in the de Young's permanent collection, created and modeled by students from the Environmental Horticulture/Floristry department at City College of San Francisco.

Bouquets to Art week will feature floral design demonstrations by locally, nationally and internationally acclaimed floral designers, among them two Bay Area favorites, the chief floral designer for the White House, an Ikebana master and the artistic director of the flowers for the 2011 royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Bouquets to Art raffle tickets available for sale will provide the opportunity to win exotic travel packages, fine dining, wine tastings and other luxury items. There will also be seated luncheons by McCalls hosted on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and special hands-on art activities for children during the weekend. All proceeds from the entire Bouquets to Art event benefit the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

30 Years of Bouquets to Art

Presented by the volunteer members of the San Francisco Auxiliary of the Fine Arts Museums, this popular and highly attended event is expected to reach record attendance numbers for its 30th celebration. Funds from previous presentations of Bouquets to Art have been used to support special exhibitions, art acquisitions, educational programs and special projects at the Legion of Honor and the de Young. Income from Bouquets to Art 2013 was used to fund, in part, the special exhibitions Impressionists on the Water, which was on view at the Legion of Honor from June to October 2013, and Modern Nature: Georgia O'Keeffe and Lake George, on view at the de Young from February 15 through May 11, 2014.

Bouquets to Art proceeds have provided invaluable support for a variety of acquisitions, including Wayne Thiebaud's Three Machines, an engraving by Albrecht Dürer, prints from the Crown Point Press archive and a pre-Columbian sculpture dating to 1000 BC. Funds from this annual fundraising event are also essential for ongoing conservation efforts to keep precious works, such as the immense 16th century Triumph of Justice tapestry, in pristine condition so that they can be displayed for museum visitors.

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Exhibition Organization

Grand Patron is Diane B. Wilsey. Corporate Leader is Wells Fargo. Partner is Lonna Wais. Patrons are Dodge & Cox and Ernst & Young LLP. Additional support from Bingham Osborn and Scarborough, Burberry, East Bay Auxiliary of the Fine Arts Museums, McGuire Realty, San Francisco Auxiliary of the Fine Arts Museums, Belvedere-Tiburon Auxiliary of the Fine Arts Museums, Destination Wealth Management, Hillsborough Auxiliary of the Fine Arts Museums, Ross Auxiliary of the Fine Arts Museums, and YP. In-Kind Contributors are Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, BIX, Bryan's, Callaway, Esperanza an Auberge Resort and Spa, Garibaldis, Living Green Design, Suzie Woodward Morris, OMNI San Francisco Hotel, Osso Steakhouse, Pacific Nurseries, Pauma Valley Country Club, Peace Limousine, Piperade, Plumpjack Balboa Café, Rock & Rose Landscapes, Saks Fifth Avenue, San Francisco Flower Mart, Scoma's, Sloat Garden Center, State Bird Provisions, Strata Landscape Architecture, Sullivan Vineyards, Sun Valley Growers, The Urban Farmer Store, Trick Dog, Westfield San Francisco Centre.

Bouquets to Art 2014 Schedule of Events

Monday, March 17

Opening Night Gala and Preview

7?10 p.m., with 5:30 p.m. entry for Patron ticket holders

Advance tickets required.

Tuesday, March 18

9:30 a.m.?5:15 p.m.: Floral exhibits

10 a.m.: "Together Again for the Very First Time" Floral design demonstration by Ron Morgan and Shane Connolly

Noon: Luncheon in Piazzoni Murals Room

1:30 p.m.: "The Art of the Party" Presentation by acclaimed New York-based event producer David Stark

Wednesday, March 19

9:30 a.m.?5:15 p.m.: Floral exhibits
10 a.m.: "Classic Design with a Modern Twist" Floral design demonstration by Paris-trained designer, Thierry Chantrel

Noon: Luncheon in Piazzoni Murals Room

1:30 p.m.: "Flower Inspirations in the Natural Style" Floral design demonstration by White House chief floral designer Laura Dowling

6?8 p.m.: Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco member viewing hours

Thursday, March 20

9:30 a.m.?5:15 p.m.: Floral exhibits

10 a.m.: "Floral Art of the Moment" Floral design demonstration by Soho Sakai, master of Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement

Noon: Luncheon in Piazzoni Murals Room

6?8 p.m.: Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco member viewing hours

Friday, March 21

9:30 a.m.?5:15 p.m.: Floral exhibits

Saturday, March 22

9:30 a.m.?5:15 p.m.: Floral exhibits

10:30 a.m.?1 p.m.: Children's hands-on art activities in the Piazzoni Murals Room

Sunday, March 23

9:30 a.m.?5:15 p.m.: Floral exhibits, raffle drawing

10:30 a.m.?1 p.m.: Children's hands-on art activities in the Piazzoni Murals Room

Bouquets to Art 2014 Admission

General admission allows access to all floral exhibits, located in the permanent collection galleries.

$22 Adults; $19 Seniors (65 and above); $18 Students with current ID; $15 Youths 6-17; Members and children 5 and under are admitted free. Save $1 with advance online ticket purchase (discount price is reflected in online shopping cart.) General admission tickets may be purchased in advance either online or in person at the museum box office during regular museum hours. Advance tickets are required for the luncheons and floral design demonstrations. For more information and to order tickets, go to deyoungmuseum.org/bouquets.