The Bay Area’s premier floral designers transform the de Young with floral artistry

Tickets on sale now

de Young Museum / June 4–9, 2024

SAN FRANCISCO, May 8 – The Bay Area’s beloved floral fundraiser, Bouquets to Art, returns for its 40th anniversary this June, celebrating the summer season with a new palette of fresh flowers. Inspired by works of art in the de Young’s galleries and the museum’s architecture, the weeklong display of floral installations offers new ways of seeing the permanent art collection and the museum. From striking sculptural creations placed throughout the galleries to a majestic hanging installation in the de Young’s central atrium – Wilsey Court – inspiration awaits around every corner. 

Guests will have the opportunity to view stunning floral couture in Wilsey Court designed by students from City College of San Francisco in honor of Fashioning San Francisco. This year, an additional highlight of Bouquets to Art will be floral designs placed in dialogue with American Impressionist and modern masterpieces in the upcoming American Beauty: The Osher Collection of American Art. This exhibition celebrates the promised gift of 61 artworks to the Fine Arts Museums' permanent collection.

Now in its 40th year, Bouquets to Art launches on Monday, June 3, with its festive Opening Night Reception where guests can see the newly created 125 floral designs and enjoy festive food and drinks prepared by McCalls Catering & Events. 

Throughout the week, guests are invited to explore the mystic world of flowers and fashion and cultural traditions from Hawaii and Mexico through a host of programs and lectures by renowned floral experts. Featured program speakers include Patricia Gillespie, a longtime Bouquets to Art exhibitor who will take guests behind the scenes of her artistic process; Raul Dueñas, an international floral designer who creates spectacular floral installations in the United States and Mexico; and Native Hawaiian florist Noah Harders, who creates futuristic wearable art made of flowers, leaves and other found organic materials in Hawaii. In addition, visitors can participate in an on-site raffle for luxury goods and experiences.

To learn more about this year’s exciting Bouquets to Art programs, please see a full lineup of events below. 

Proceeds from Bouquets to Art raise crucial funds for exhibitions, conservation projects, and educational programs at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

Bouquets to Art is presented by the San Francisco Auxiliary of the Fine Arts Museums. Bouquets to Art Grand Patron: Diane B. Wilsey; Honorary Opening Night Chair: Gretchen B. Kimball; and Bouquets to Art Co-Chairs: Tammy Braas-Hill and Nora Quattrin.

https://famsf.art/BTA24 \ @deyoungmuseum \ #BouquetstoArt

Programming 

Bouquets to Art Opening Night

Monday, June 3, 5:30–10 pm \ de Young 

Be the first to see the impressive floral designs, and enjoy food and drinks prepared by McCalls Catering & Events. Advance tickets required.

Futuristic Floral Couture with Noah Harders 

Tuesday, June 4, 2 pm \ Koret Auditorium

Experience Native Hawaiian artist Noah Harders’ mystic world of flowers and fashion in this presentation, where he will share his culture, inspiration, and the techniques he has developed to bring his floral visions to life. Rooted in Hawaiian culture where he finds his inspiration, Harders collects foraged botanical materials and transforms them into extravagant pieces of wearable art. Follow along as the artist explains his process for dissecting and manipulating botanical materials, and the various stages of making a self-portrait - from foraging to the final product. 

The Magic of the Hummingbird with Raul Dueñas 

Wednesday, June 5, 2 pm \ Koret Auditorium

Join speaker Raul Dueñas on a journey through the captivating realm of the hummingbird, where Mexican beliefs, heritage, and culture intertwine with the ethereal nature of this majestic creature. Each design created during the presentation will draw inspiration from the appearance of the hummingbird, with the vibrant hues of blooming flowers and graceful movements. Raul will also draw from the symbolic nature of the hummingbird: joy, adaptability, freedom, and emotional connection to those who have touched the artist's life.

Super Nature with Patricia Gillespie

Thursday, June 6, 2 pm \ Koret Auditorium 

Patricia Gillespie has participated in Bouquets to Art as an exhibitor for the past fourteen years, four of which have seen her large-scale floral designs hanging overhead in Wilsey Court. Join us for a fireside chat with Gillespie, as we go behind-the-scenes to explore her inspiration, her artistic process, and her experiences as a designer for Bouquets to Art through the years.

Luxury-Prize Benefit Raffle

Support the Museums while taking a chance on winning great prizes. Raffle tickets are $20 per ticket; six tickets for $100; or “A Blooming Dozen”—13 tickets for $200.

Exhibition Organization

Grand Patron: Diane B. Wilsey. Honorary Opening Night Chair: Gretchen B. Kimball. Bouquets to Art Co-Chairs: Tammy Braas-Hill and Nora Quattrin.

Lead Sponsors: Williams-Sonoma, Inc., Zenni.com

Major Sponsor: Native Bear Consulting, Chris and Janis Hoyt

Generous support: Delta Dental of California, Dodge & Cox, Inc., Relation Insurance Services

Additional support is provided by Price Family Dealerships and Sloat Garden Center

Programs are supported by the San Francisco, Belvedere-Tiburon, East Bay, Hillsborough, and Ross Auxiliaries of the Fine Arts Museums. Floral Fashions are supported by Misty Tyree. In-kind support: The Caviar Co., Equinox Wine, Freeman Vineyard & Winery, Junipero Gin, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Scotto’s Wine & Cider, Sosie Wines, and Stargazer Barn.

Visiting

Bouquets to Art is held from June 4–9 at the de Young museum. Opening Night is on Monday, June 3. Exhibition viewing hours and admission take place Tuesday–Sunday, June 4–9, 9:30 am–5:15 pm. Exclusive Members-Only Viewing Hours for Enthusiast and above levels are Tuesday June 4, 6–9 pm; viewing hours for all membership levels are Wednesday–Thursday, June 5–6, 6–9 pm.

Ticketing

For adults, tickets start at $40 and include admission to Bouquets to Art and the permanent-collection galleries. Guests also have the opportunity to purchase an All Access ticket for $55 that includes access to Bouquets to Art, Fashioning San Francisco: A Century of Style, Irving Penn, and the permanent-collection galleries. Separate tickets are required for the programs, raffle, and Opening Night. Prices are subject to change; more information is available at https://famsf.art/BTA24. 

Reservations for group tickets are available at groupsales@famsf.org. Information regarding group ticket sales is available here. Tickets to individual programs can be purchased online or by calling 415-750-3604.

About the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, comprising the de Young in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, is the largest public arts institution in San Francisco.

The de Young museum originated from the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition in Golden Gate Park. The present copper-clad landmark building, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, opened in 2005. Reflecting an active conversation among cultures, perspectives, and time periods, the collections on view include American painting, sculpture, and decorative arts from the 17th to the 21st centuries; arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas; costume and textile arts; and international modern and contemporary art. 

The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco respectfully acknowledge the Ramaytush Ohlone, the original inhabitants of what is now the San Francisco Peninsula, and acknowledge that the greater Bay Area is the ancestral territory of the Miwok, Yokuts, Patwin, and other Ohlone. Indigenous communities have lived in and moved through this place over hundreds of generations, and Indigenous peoples from many nations make their home in this region today. Please join us in recognizing and honoring their ancestors, descendants, elders, and communities.

Media Contact

Morgan Braitberg \ press@famsf.org