San Francisco Citizen

Well it’s on – Bouquets to Art 2009 at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park opens this morning. Here’s a peek at what all the swells and Lavay Smith avec the Red Hot Skillet Lickers saw last night’s Opening Night Gala and Preview.

Check the schedule here but hurry, as the whole shebang ends on Saturday, March 21, 2009. Don’t miss Hat Attack! with Hat Personality Jan Wahl on Friday.

See how it works? Click to expand:

It’s Gilbert and George!

Fauna and Flora of the Pacific by Miguel Covarrubias:

That’s your BtoA 2009. Bring a sweater or something as they keep things cool for the flora.

More deets after the jump.

See you there!

Lunches and Teas
Piazzoni Murals Room
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, March 17, 18, and 19
Lunch service at 12:00 p.m.; Tea service at 3:00 p.m.

Take a quiet break from viewing the galleries and savor a salad lunch with wine, coffee, and dessert, or afternoon tea with a light offering of sandwiches and scones. Tickets are required.

Museum visitors may also eat without a reservation in the de Young Café or enjoy a “grab and go” lunch on the tented terrace.

Hat Attack!
Friday, March 20, 9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Festive headwear will be on parade Friday as we celebrate Hat
Day at the de Young. Wear your most stunning, artistic, or simply
outrageous hat (with a floral theme, of course) and stroll among the
blossoms in style. Be sure to join us at noon in the Piazzoni Murals
Room for our hat judging contest. Jan Wahl of KRON-TV will be
head judge, and prizes will be awarded for Best Botanical Theme;
Most Creative; Cutest Kids; and Best Couple or Group. Remember,
flowers are always in fashion at Bouquets to Art!

Speakers’ Programs
Koret Auditorium
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, March 17, 18, 19, and 20
Two lectures per day, at 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to Free Day at the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park on Wednesday, March 18, parking near the Museum will be very difficult. We strongly encourage visitors to take public transportation to Golden Gate Park. If you plan to drive, please allow ample time for parking.

Six of the world’s most prestigious floral design experts will create
arrangements on stage while discussingstyle, trends, and tricks of the trade. Special Friday programming includes a lifestyle presentation by Miranda Jones, style editor for Sunset Magazine, and a lecture on flowers in film by noted critic/personality Jan Wahl.
Tickets are required.

Please note: To keep our flowers as fresh as possible, the temperature of the Koret Auditorium will be cooler than usual. Please dress accordingly.

RON MORGAN
Tuesday, March 17, 10:00 a.m.
In the Company of Flowers
Underwritten by: Torchio Nursery and the
Ross Auxiliary of the Fine Arts Museums
In 1985, Ron Morgan became what was to be one of the “founding” designers of the Fine Arts Museums’ Bouquets to Art. For the next 25 years, Ron’s popularity as an exhibitor and demonstrator has been matched only by his enduring dedication and loyalty to Bouquets.
A highly respected floral lecturer, Ron speaks at garden clubs and museums throughout the U.S., continuing to charm and surprise his audiences with his imaginative use of flowers, fruits, vegetables, and striking containers from his exceptional collection. Ron transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary as he creates exquisitely astonishing arrangements.
Ron’s first book, The Center of Attention, featured his legendary tablescapes. This book has been followed by three more: In the Company of Flowers, A Glass Act, and A Celebration of Clematis. We are proud to have Ron launch our Silver Jubilee
series of speakers.

MARK HELD
Tuesday, March 17, 1:30 p.m.
Fabulous Parties from Mark’s Garden
Underwritten by: The East Bay Auxiliary of the
Fine Arts Museums
When Hollywood plans events, Mark’s garden is often at the helm. In this unique floral design studio, partners Mark Held and Richard David create total décorfor events, including flowers, furniture, custom linens, and lighting. Their recent book, Fabulous Parties, follows this theme as they share secrets of creating the perfect ambience for entertaining, with flowers, all visual elements, and menus.
Dubbed “the celebrity florist” by Entertainment Tonight, Mark has crafted the floral arts for high-profile weddings such as those of Ellen Degeneres and Jennifer Lopez. For 14 years, he has been the exclusive florist for the Academy Awards Governors Ball.
As we watch this floral magician in his Bouquets debut, we will see why L.A. Magazine named him “L.A.’s Best” and why Elizabeth Taylor calls Mark’s Garden a “haven of beauty.”

PAIGE DIXON
Wednesday, March 18, 10:00 a.m.
A “Wynn”-ing Way with Vegas Florals
Underwritten by: The Hillsborough and San Francisco Auxiliaries of the Fine Arts Museums
Native Australian Paige Dixon originally pursued a career in fashion that morphed into floral design. Now the floral design director at Wynn Las Vegas and Encore, Paige has had the opportunity to explore her floral muse.
Paige began her career in Los Angeles, where she founded Sub Rosa, servicing The Four Seasons Hotel Beverly Hills. The original inspiration for the Floral Atelier, she developed a creative environment designed to nurture young talent and explore the experience as a floral stage.
A move from Beverly Hills to Las Vegas created new opportunity with the growth of a burgeoningcity. With the vision and support of Steve and Elaine Wynn, Paige’s work is inspired by the ever-changingoasis of flowers, excitingevents and the opportunity to mentor emergingtalents. Her work reflects a European influence which has been an integral part of the Floral Art styling, reminiscent of Neo Baroque Floral Theater.
We welcome Paige in her Bouquets debut.

THE REVEREND WILLIAM MCMILLAN, M.B.E.
Wednesday, March 18, 1:30 p.m.
Celebrating Flowers the Celtic Way
Underwritten by: The Belvedere-Tiburon and San Francisco Auxiliaries of the Fine Arts Museums
Since 1970, Reverend McMillan — known to all as Reverend Mac — has been pastor of a Presbyterian church near Belfast, Ireland. When he mastered floral decoration for his church, he found his second calling, a blessing to us all.
Word spread about Reverend Mac’s extraordinary floral talents, and now he is known the world over for his remarkable combination of floral art, poetry, and wit. In recognition for his charity work, Queen Elizabeth honored him with the prestigious Member of the Most Honorable Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.).
This year Reverend Mac will be part of an international team of floral artists who will decorate London’s Westminster Abbey. In his two books, he combines his many accomplishments: Beyond Mere Words merges flowers and poetry, and A Celtic Way blends humor with his personal stories and Ireland’s “40 shades of green.”

NICO DE SWERT
Thursday, March 19, 10:00 a.m.
The Birth of Spring
Underwritten by: The San Francisco Auxiliary of the Fine Arts Museums
After his training at Antwerp’s Academy of Fine Arts in his native Belgium, Nico de Swert moved to New York, where he has created a sensation and is praised as a sought-after trendsetter and tastemaker. Nico began his career in New York as senior style editor for Martha Stewart Living Television. Nico has been featured in such publications as Gourmet, In Style, and Oprah’s O magazine. Last fall Pottery Barn launched a new video series, Living Arrangements with Nico de Swert. This spring Nico opens a floral boutique and school in New York, one of the largest floral retail spaces in the United States.
In his book, Living with Flowers, Nico demonstrates his extraordinary style as more floral sculptor than arranger, dazzling readers with his creativity and respect for nature’s color palette. Playing on the world stage from Paris to Tokyo to Dubai, we are pleased he is adding San Francisco to his floral map.

PAULA PRYKE
Thursday, March 19, 1:30 p.m.
Classic Paula Pryke
Underwritten by: Friends of Rona Elbert in her memory, and the San Francisco Auxiliary of the Fine Arts Museums
Featured in such publications as Vogue and The Evening Standard, for the past 20 years Paula Prykehas been known as one of London’s most respected florists and lecturers. Her cutting-edge, innovative floral designs make her the choice of many celebrity clients, such as Derek Jacobi, Michael Caine and Emma Thompson.
Author of 13 best-selling books, Paula’s latest is Pink. With a fine-tuned sense of color, she has designed stamps for the Royal Mail, serves as Creative Director for Dulux paints, and last year was commissioned by the Royal Horticultural Society and Liberty
of London to create a floral design for the prestigious Chelsea
Flower Show.
In addition to her floral shops in London and Seoul, Korea, Paula lectures and teaches throughout the world. We welcome back our “Renaissance Woman” who masters floral art, teaching, writing,
and design.

JAN WAHL
Friday, March 20, 10:00 a.m.
Flowers in the Movies: From Please Don’t Eat the Daisies to My Fair Lady to Steel Magnolias
Recognized as a woman of many hats, film critic Jan Wahl joined KRON 4 in October 1990. Sporting a different chapeau each week, she critiques recent movie releases, reviews new videos, conducts celebrity interviews, and offers interesting background on show business.
In addition to her work at KRON 4, Wahl provides cultural and show business reports for KCBS Radio and is a featured regular on LIVE 105, KITS 105.3 FM. When she’s not working in television or radio, Wahl emcees community events, teaches, lectures, and delivers show biz talks on international cruises. Wahl also teaches a class called “Critical Thinking of the Mass Media,” a course she developed for corporations and schools.

General Admission
General admission, allowing full access to all floral exhibits and special exhibition galleries, is: Adults: $20; Seniors 65 and over: $17; Youths 13-17 and college students with ID: $16. Museum admission is FREE for members and children 12 and under. For general admission only you may purchase tickets at the door or in advance through the Museums’ website at deyoungmuseum.org.

For information about group sales please call Lars Bair at 750-2636.

Ticket Prices
OPENING NIGHT GALA
Individual tickets to the Opening Night Gala are $225 each, and $125 for guests 35 and younger.

LECTURES
Lecture ticket prices are $35. Lectures are held in the Koret Auditorium.

PIAZZONI LUNCHES
Individual tickets for a plated lunch in the Piazzoni Murals Room are $50. Tables of 10 for $500 may be reserved.

PIAZZONI TEAS
Individual tickets for tea in the Piazzoni Murals Room are $30. Tables of 10 for $300 may be reserved.

How to Purchase Tickets
Bouquets to Art lecture, lunch, or tea ticket holders may view all exhibition galleries at no extra charge during regular museum hours.

To purchase tickets, call 415.750.3504 Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tickets go on sale January 21, 2009.

A limited number of tickets are available for purchase online at www.brownpapertickets.com.

Tags: 2009, 25th anniversary, art, bouquet, bouquets, Bouquets to Art, california, de Young, flowers, golden gate drive, golden gate park, museum, music concourse, San Francisco

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