By Maggie Sharpe
Correspondent
OAKLAND -- More than 125 Bay Area floral designers will demonstrate their artistry April 5-10 at the 32nd Annual Bouquets to Art at the de Young Museum in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.
Every year, florists draw inspiration from the museum's eclectic collection of paintings to create unique floral arrangements, from simple to sophisticated.
"With the Oscar de la Renta retrospective running simultaneously with Bouquets de Art, we are expecting between 50,000 and 70,000 visitors to this year's exhibit," said Suzanne Vuko, co-chair of the event, which is produced by the all-volunteer San Francisco Auxiliary of the Fine Arts Museums.
"New this year, we have a French-style flower cart," Vuko said. "After seeing the exhibit, visitors can purchase a beautiful bouquet of flowers to take home for themselves. We also have a fabulous lineup of speakers and cutting-edge designers. It's very exciting and a stunning way to start spring -- and there are still tickets available for the gorgeous opening night gala."
Proceeds from Bouquets to Art, which has netted nearly $6 million and has attracted approximately 750,000 visitors since its inception, support special exhibits, art restoration and educational programs at both the de Young and Legion of Honor museums.
This is the 17th year that Valerie Lee Ow, whose family has owned J. Miller Flowers and Gifts, 4416 Piedmont Ave. for 45 years, has taken part in the event. She was thrilled when Bouquets to Art chose her 2015 entry -- "Rhapsody" (Richard Mayhew, 2002) -- for its 2016 promotional brochure.
This year, Ow and her team -- sister Robbin Lee and assistant Morgan Carpenter -- are interpreting "Banner in the Sky." The 1861 Civil War-era oil painting by Frederic Edwin Church depicts a tattered Stars and Stripes blowing in the wind at sunset.
"What struck me about the painting was its simplicity with the dark gloomy sky and the colors of the sunset reflected through the stripes on the flag," Ow said. "I think it's even more special that we get to interpret this painting in an election year."
Ow and her team plan to use burgundy succulents, as well as such exotics as anthurium from Hawaii and white orchids from Thailand -- and a deep red rose, aptly called "Freedom."
Other attractions this year include a large installation in Wilsey Court by Oakland's Sharpstick Studios, which is celebrating its seventh year as a participant. Floral designers will also mirror pieces from "Oscar de la Renta: The Retrospective," the world premiere of the late clothing designer's work, which includes fashions from private collections -- as well as his wife's wardrobe. The respective is on view at the de Young through May 30.
This is the ninth year that Lafayette resident Jean David has participated in Bouquets to Art.
"My painting this year is 'Sacramento Railroad Station' (William Hahn, 1874)," David said. "It's a lovely painting illustrating a detailed scene of life at the Central Pacific Railroad Station. Hahn was known for his paintings of early California life."
David hopes to reflect Hahn's depiction of the ethnic and economic diversity in California at the time "with a confusion and variety of flowers."
"It takes me several attempts to decide how best to make my arrangement reflect my vision of the painting ... whether it is the style of my arrangement, the container or the flowers I'm using."
David said that by the opening night preview gala she's ready to celebrate. This year's gala opening features floral fashions by City College of San Francisco students, gourmet food, cocktails and live entertainment.
"It is a wonderful week of stimulating classes and a singular chance to see all the beautiful and exciting arrangements by the other designers," David said. "There is such incredible talent in the Bay Area and I feel very honored to participate in Bouquets to Art."
The 2016 event continues the popular guest speaker series, with demonstrations and panel discussions.
Just two of the many attractions include author and adventurer India Hicks who will present "Island Style: A Combination of Traditional British Past and Richly Flavored Caribbean Present." Danielle Hahn and her husband Bill opened Rose Story Farm in Santa Barbara nearly 20 years ago. She will talk on "Roses, Roses, Roses," a history of the flower and how to care for it.
"Hahn and her husband grow heritage roses that smell just like your grandma's did," said Vuko, who is also looking forward to a panel discussion led by Alisa Carroll, editor-in-chief of "San Francisco Cottages and Gardens," entitled "Conversation and Floral Display: The New Bloom."
On the panel will be Allison Futeral, co-founder of Crimson Horticultural Rarities in Oakland, and Christina Stembel, founder of Farmgirl Flowers in San Francisco. The panel will explore "how trendsetters and new techniques are redefining the future of floral design."
"This should be a very interesting conversation with these leading-edge contemporary floral designers," Vuko said.
Ow said it's a challenge to participate in Bouquets to Art each year -- for one thing, entrants have to refresh their flowers daily, either before or after the show, necessitating an early morning or late evening trip to San Francisco for her or one of her team members.
"It's a lot of work, but so exciting for us to not only showcase our creativity, but to give back to the community with these beautiful flowers," Lee said.
Resource: http://www.contracostatimes.com
Correspondent
OAKLAND -- More than 125 Bay Area floral designers will demonstrate their artistry April 5-10 at the 32nd Annual Bouquets to Art at the de Young Museum in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.
Every year, florists draw inspiration from the museum's eclectic collection of paintings to create unique floral arrangements, from simple to sophisticated.
"With the Oscar de la Renta retrospective running simultaneously with Bouquets de Art, we are expecting between 50,000 and 70,000 visitors to this year's exhibit," said Suzanne Vuko, co-chair of the event, which is produced by the all-volunteer San Francisco Auxiliary of the Fine Arts Museums.
"New this year, we have a French-style flower cart," Vuko said. "After seeing the exhibit, visitors can purchase a beautiful bouquet of flowers to take home for themselves. We also have a fabulous lineup of speakers and cutting-edge designers. It's very exciting and a stunning way to start spring -- and there are still tickets available for the gorgeous opening night gala."
Proceeds from Bouquets to Art, which has netted nearly $6 million and has attracted approximately 750,000 visitors since its inception, support special exhibits, art restoration and educational programs at both the de Young and Legion of Honor museums.
This is the 17th year that Valerie Lee Ow, whose family has owned J. Miller Flowers and Gifts, 4416 Piedmont Ave. for 45 years, has taken part in the event. She was thrilled when Bouquets to Art chose her 2015 entry -- "Rhapsody" (Richard Mayhew, 2002) -- for its 2016 promotional brochure.
This year, Ow and her team -- sister Robbin Lee and assistant Morgan Carpenter -- are interpreting "Banner in the Sky." The 1861 Civil War-era oil painting by Frederic Edwin Church depicts a tattered Stars and Stripes blowing in the wind at sunset.
"What struck me about the painting was its simplicity with the dark gloomy sky and the colors of the sunset reflected through the stripes on the flag," Ow said. "I think it's even more special that we get to interpret this painting in an election year."
Ow and her team plan to use burgundy succulents, as well as such exotics as anthurium from Hawaii and white orchids from Thailand -- and a deep red rose, aptly called "Freedom."
Other attractions this year include a large installation in Wilsey Court by Oakland's Sharpstick Studios, which is celebrating its seventh year as a participant. Floral designers will also mirror pieces from "Oscar de la Renta: The Retrospective," the world premiere of the late clothing designer's work, which includes fashions from private collections -- as well as his wife's wardrobe. The respective is on view at the de Young through May 30.
This is the ninth year that Lafayette resident Jean David has participated in Bouquets to Art.
"My painting this year is 'Sacramento Railroad Station' (William Hahn, 1874)," David said. "It's a lovely painting illustrating a detailed scene of life at the Central Pacific Railroad Station. Hahn was known for his paintings of early California life."
David hopes to reflect Hahn's depiction of the ethnic and economic diversity in California at the time "with a confusion and variety of flowers."
"It takes me several attempts to decide how best to make my arrangement reflect my vision of the painting ... whether it is the style of my arrangement, the container or the flowers I'm using."
David said that by the opening night preview gala she's ready to celebrate. This year's gala opening features floral fashions by City College of San Francisco students, gourmet food, cocktails and live entertainment.
"It is a wonderful week of stimulating classes and a singular chance to see all the beautiful and exciting arrangements by the other designers," David said. "There is such incredible talent in the Bay Area and I feel very honored to participate in Bouquets to Art."
The 2016 event continues the popular guest speaker series, with demonstrations and panel discussions.
Just two of the many attractions include author and adventurer India Hicks who will present "Island Style: A Combination of Traditional British Past and Richly Flavored Caribbean Present." Danielle Hahn and her husband Bill opened Rose Story Farm in Santa Barbara nearly 20 years ago. She will talk on "Roses, Roses, Roses," a history of the flower and how to care for it.
"Hahn and her husband grow heritage roses that smell just like your grandma's did," said Vuko, who is also looking forward to a panel discussion led by Alisa Carroll, editor-in-chief of "San Francisco Cottages and Gardens," entitled "Conversation and Floral Display: The New Bloom."
On the panel will be Allison Futeral, co-founder of Crimson Horticultural Rarities in Oakland, and Christina Stembel, founder of Farmgirl Flowers in San Francisco. The panel will explore "how trendsetters and new techniques are redefining the future of floral design."
"This should be a very interesting conversation with these leading-edge contemporary floral designers," Vuko said.
Ow said it's a challenge to participate in Bouquets to Art each year -- for one thing, entrants have to refresh their flowers daily, either before or after the show, necessitating an early morning or late evening trip to San Francisco for her or one of her team members.
"It's a lot of work, but so exciting for us to not only showcase our creativity, but to give back to the community with these beautiful flowers," Lee said.
Resource: http://www.contracostatimes.com
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