Point Loma floral designer Lena Pei has been invited once again to be a designer at Art Alive 2025, San Diego Museum of Art’s signature annual fundraiser showcasing flowers and art.
An annual celebration of art and architecture, Art Alive returns April 24-27 to SDMA at 1450 El Prado in Balboa Park. Characterized as an immersive dream-like fusion of flowers and art, Art Alive is SDMA’s signature annual fundraiser supporting the museum’s exhibitions, education, outreach, and public programs. The event brings a kaleidoscope of colorful floral arrangements interpreting works of art from the museum collection. Talented floral designers fill the galleries with fragrant arrangements. Their work offers a brilliantly colored backdrop for a weekend of beloved traditions and art-inspired activities.
Of her artistic background and influences, Chinese native Pei, who’s lived in Point Loma for 25-plus years said, “I’ve been a very passionate gardener throughout my lifetime and my floral passion just grew out of that.”
Also a real estate investor who’s lived all over the United States, Pei said of coming to San Diego, “It was way too beautiful. So I settled down here.”
Regarding flowers, Pei noted several things that attracted her to arranging them. “Part of it is my passion for art,” she said adding she was inspired in part by her mother’s gardening talent. “Another part is the (positive) energy flowers draw from Mother Nature, which has such a healing power. You just enjoy looking at them. It has so much beauty in it and the power to touch people.”
Pei talked about the role she plays as a flower designer in Art Alive. “It’s a style of exhibition nationwide,” she explained. “We use floral or plant materials to interpret the (museum’s) art collection, whether it’s a painting or a sculpture. In this year’s case, I’m doing (interpreting) the west wing expansion of SDMA. It’s not purely a reproduction or a carbon copy of the original art.”
Discussing how she interpreted a scene for Art Alive 2024, Pei first asked, “How do you use plant materials to reflect landscaping?” She answered, “My approach with that particular one (landscape) was that I wanted to articulate the logistic elements of that landscape. We have this creation that’s so abundant out there that we should feel grateful for it. When you’re looking at the art, what draws you? What comes out of the art and speaks to you? That’s how I interpret.”
Reflecting on the elements involved in interpreting art through flower arrangement, Pei concluded: “Everybody looking at the same art has a different perspective. That’s where the fun is, what I call creativity unlimited because the potential is immense – it’s unlimited. The energy of that paint, what does it say to me? And of course, I look at colors. And beyond colors, I also contemplate (the subject) for a few minutes and ask, ‘What does this art say to me, and how do I feel about it overall?’ And what is that artist trying to tell the audience? What is the energy?”
LENA PEI
Longtime Point Loma resident Lena Pei is an award-winning studio floral designer who works from home. For years she has been one of the designers for Art Alive, the San Diego Museum of Art’s signature annual fundraiser being held this year from April 24-27 in Balboa Park. View highlights of Pei’s floral designs and digital work
on her YouTube Channel at youtube.com/@Go2HappyLand.
Pei has won a variety of awards in flower shows and competitions. She has also conducted charitable floral workshops at various garden clubs, for community groups, and at the San Diego County Fair promoting floral design as an art form. She is also a member of Point Loma Garden Club, as well as a member of a charity-driven floral group, Petal Pushers, which is part of Point Loma Garden Club. Petal Pushers collects flowers from Trader Joe’s and redistributes them to local seniors and needy people in the community.
One of Pei’s floral designs was featured on the cover page of Art Alive 2024’s Exhibit Map Guide and the Digital Guide on the big screen in the museum’s lobby. Her design has also been featured on the landing page of the current Art Alive 2025 promotion on the San Diego Museum of Art’s website at sdmart.org/artalive/. Art Alive provides essential support for SDMA’s 2025 showcase event celebrating art and architecture inspired by the groundbreaking architectural designs of Lord Norman Foster and his internationally renowned studio Foster + Partners.
