INVENTIVE \ DRAMATIC \ ALIVE

MARCH 11-15, 2008

This March fundraiser celebrates the art of flower arranging in a dramatic museum setting. The expansive, light-filled galleries of the new de Young in San Francisco highlight 150 floral displays that interpret the form, color or theme of paintings and sculptures in the museum’s collection. Florists and garden clubs from the entire Bay Area are invited by a selection committee to participate.

BOUQUETS TO ART is one of the country’s premier floral events and provides local residents and visitors with an exuberant preview of Spring. More than 40,000 people visit the exhibits which range from miniature gardens to architectural constructions. The variety is constant and the design is cutting edge.

Organized and produced by volunteer members of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Auxiliary, funds raised support acquisitions, traveling exhibitions and educational programs.

WHEN:
Tuesday, March 11 through Saturday, March 15
Gala preview party Monday, March 10 from 6:30-10 pm

WHERE:
de Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA

HOURS:
9:30 am-5:15 pm with evening hours 6-8:45 pm on Wednesday (for Museum members only) and Friday

TICKETS:
Museum members and lecture, lunch or tea ticket holders may view all exhibition galleries and floral displays at no extra charge.

For others, the price of museum admission provides access to all floral displays: $15 adult; $12 senior; $11 youth. Gala $200 or $125 for age 35 and younger; Lectures $35; Reserved lunch $40; Afternoon tea $30.

BOUQUETS TO ART HIGHLIGHTS 2008

Press contact: Stephanie Clark \ jwclark@sbcglobal.net

• Bay Area professional floral designers and garden club members are invited to participate in the show at the de Young Museum. They create 150 floral displays based on artwork they pre-select for interpretation.
• “How to” speaker programs by internationally recognized professionals are held at 10 am and 2 pm Tuesday through Thursday in the Koret Auditorium. Only one presenter has appeared previously at Bouquets to Art.
• A selection of related floral and garden books is available for sale in the museum store. Immediately after their presentations, speakers will sign copies of their books.
• An opening night gala on Monday, March 10 offers a preview of the floral displays from 6:30 pm-10 pm, with early entry for patrons at 5:30 pm. Catering is by Dan McCall & Associates, music is by Abe Battat, and tent décor is by Branch Out Floral and Event Design.
• The Art of Ikebana will be featured on Friday, when the Ikebana Society of SF will offer floral demonstrations at 2 pm by presenters in traditional costume. A tea tasting courtesy of the Exotic Tea Room immediately follows. Three Ikebana schools are represented, with an introduction provided by San Francisco’s Japanese Consul General. Ticket price is $35.
• Friday is also Hat Day, when fashionable headwear with a botanical theme is encouraged. There will be a judging at noon by a panel including Ruth Dewson of Mrs. Dewson’s Hats, with prizes awarded in several categories.
• Afternoon tea is back, to be served along with reserved lunch in the stunning Piazzoni Murals Room, where two Depression era murals were relocated during the redesign of San Francisco’s library. Advance ticket purchase is required: $40 for one lunch seating 12-1:30 pm; $30 for tea served continuously 2:30-3:30 pm. The museum café provides its regular menu daily, along with pre-made meals in the sculpture garden tent.
• A deluxe benefit raffle features 12 prizes ranging from international land or sea travel to fine jewelry. Chances are sold separately for each raffle package; $25 per entry or $100 for five entries.
• Evening hours are on Wednesday, March 12 (for museum members only) and Friday, March 14 until 8:45 pm.

BOUQUETS TO ART SPEAKERS 2008

Press contact: Stephanie Clark \ jwclark@sbcglobal.net

March 11, 10 am: CAROL CAGGIANO
“Everyone Loves a Wedding ... And Party”
A commentator and instructor who has presented in Japan, Korea, Singapore, Italy and throughout the United States, Ms. Caggiano has run a very successful flower shop in Virginia for most of her career. In 2005 she received the Award of Distinguished Service to the Floral Industry from AIFD. She discusses color trends and the role color plays in our favorite events, whether a lavish wedding or a simple party at home.

March 11, 2 pm: IVAN POELMAN
“Inspiration From Flanders”
The son of fourth generation horticulturalists in Belgium, Mr. Poelman studied horticulture and floristry and eventually opened his own shop. He also runs an acclaimed floral design school and is involved with the publication of the Belgian magazine for professionals, Fleur Creatif. He will demonstrate the uniqueness of his country’s floral design, from hand held bouquets to arrangement on trays and platters.

March 12, 10 am: RALPH NULL
“Essence of the Garden”
An internationally recognized leader in floral arts and retail floriculture, Mr. Null taught at Mississippi State University for 25 years. He is currently a member of Teleflora’s acclaimed Educational Specialists team. His creations have graced White House State dinners, and he was recently awarded AIFD’s prestigious Award of Design Influence—only the seventh person to receive this honor.

March 12, 2 pm: CORY LONSERT
“Let the Flowers Soar”
An entertaining and enthusiastic speaker, Mr. Lonsert won Midwest Trade Fair Designer of the Year, Ohio Designer of the Year, and Best in Show for Michigan Designer of the Year early in his career. He has been a featured designer for AIFD at the Chicago Flower Show, and as a member of the Smithers Oasis Designer team worked on the most recent Bush inauguration festivities. He resides in Los Angeles.

March 13, 10 am: LYNNE MOSS
“The Turning Leaf”
Ms. Moss has owned local favorite The Flower Shoppe in Pratt, Kansas for 31 years. Whether designing for interiors or exteriors, she relies on an outdoor palette of grasses, branches, blossoms and berries. She recently launched a book, The AIFD Guide to Floral Design, and has been actively involved in educational design programs on behalf of that organization. She will chair its 2009 National Symposium in Kansas.

March 13, 2 pm: RON MORGAN
“Abundant Creativity”
One of the most sought after floral lecturers in the country, Mr. Morgan was schooled in the fine arts and has an extensive knowledge of antiques. He owns a warehouse full of treasures that stock his East Bay shop and provide unique container possibilities. He is the author of several books. The Center of Attention has become the bible for tablescape design, and A Glass Act is his newest release.

FRIDAY EVENTS 2008

Press contact: Stephanie Clark \ jwclark@sbcglobal.net

March 14, noon: HAT ATTACK!
Judging in the Piazzoni Murals Room
Festive headwear will be on parade as Hat Day at the de Young is celebrated. Bouquets to Art’s inaugural hat contest will be judged by Ruth Dewson of Mrs. Dewson’s Hats, Sheryl Krajewski of Hats on Post, Charlotte Mayfield who is President of the Hat Society, and Hat society member Carol Maerzke. Prizes will be awarded in several categories for hats with a botanical theme.

March 14, 2 pm: IKEBANA
This demonstration of Japanese traditions, which include the Ikebana schools of floral design, features three different schools: Ikenobo, Sogetsu and Ohara. Floral presenters will wear traditional Japanese costumes. San Francisco’s Japanese Consul General, Yasumasa Nagamine, will give the opening remarks. He will be accompanied by Ayako Nagamine, Honorary President of Ikebana International, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter. A tea tasting, with commentary by Trella Davis, and samples from her company, The Exotic Tea Room, immediately follows for lecture ticket holders.

Three renowned Bay Area Ikebana teachers will give the floral demonstrations: Julie Saiki Nakatani – Ikenobo school; Katsuko Biko Thielke – Sogetsu school; Kayoko Suiyo Fujimoto – Ohara school. Additional arrangements will be exhibited by members of Ikebana International, including Gail Correia, Irene Jenkins, Sharon Krawetz, Kathy Toy, and Liz Vernon.