Art Alive 2024

The San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) is in full bloom this spring, with floral designers interpreting works of art from the Museum’s collection into vibrant floral displays from April 25–April 28, 2024. Art Alive is the Museum’s signature annual fundraiser, providing critical year-round support for exhibitions, education, and outreach programs in the community.

The signature celebration brings a kaleidoscope of nearly 100 colorful floral arrangements inspired by works of art on view at SDMA. The theme for this year’s Art Alive celebrates Indian art and culture, and the event will include a special installation from the Museum’s renowned Edwin Binney 3rd collection of South Asian paintings.

Complementing the exhibition, Art Alive 2024 features a highly talented selection of Indian keynote artists, including Nisha K. Sethi, Vani Shiroor, and Meghaa Modi. Nisha Sethi is a talented typography artist whose works will be displayed at Art Alive’s kick-off party, Bloom Bash.

Vani Shiroor is founder of DOTURMINDS, a local art and mindfulness group that aims to help people gain clarity, confidence and purpose through rangoli, an ancient Indian art form that uses multi-colored sand to create floor decorations symbolizing wealth, joy and prosperity, as well as thanksgiving to deities.

Meghaa Modi, the Museum’s first international rotunda designer and India’s premier wedding and concept floral designer, is traveling from Bangalore, India, to fill the Museum’s two-story rotunda with a vibrant, large-scale floral installation. Guests will relish her multi-sensory design that celebrates the rich cultural tapestry of India, centered around the revered bovine figure of the goddess Kamadhenu, described in Hinduism as the wish-granting mother of all cows.

Bloom Bash also returns this year, offering immersive art installations, live performances, custom henna applications from Henna San Diego, sweet and savory bites from more than 30 top eateries, including local Indian restaurants, and signature cocktails, craft beer and upscale wines. The 21+ party also features a Ferris wheel in the Plaza de Panama outside the Museum, plus live performances from Indian drummers, dancers, and a DJ.

The 2024 Art Alive floral exhibition will be on display to the public Friday, April 26, from noon to 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28.

General admission is complimentary for members, $40 for nonmembers, $5 for guests aged 7-17, and free for children under six. Timed tickets are required, and entry is anytime within the designated hours. 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 2024 offers four full days of experiences, activities, and celebrations.

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