Auburn Torres and Katie Dungan of Little House of Flowers in Point Loma are doing something special this year: They’re floral designers for Art Alive at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park from April 25-28.
Art Alive, characterized as an immersive dream-like fusion of flowers and art, is the San Diego Museum of Art’s signature annual fundraiser. It provides essential support for 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. It involves four days of fun-filled events, including large-scale art and flower installations, and a garden of activities for families and artists of all ages.
Talented floral designers fill the galleries with fragrant arrangements inspired by the museum collection. Their work offers a brilliantly colored backdrop for a weekend of beloved traditions and art-inspired activities.
Torres, a talented lead designer with almost 20 years of experience and education, is grateful for the opportunity to showcase her hard work and represent Little House of Flowers for the second year in a row at Art Alive.
“They (museum) have designers come in and do a floral interpretation of pieces of artwork that they choose at the museum,” said Torres noting florists have to apply, submit photos of their work, and write an essay to be considered for Art Alive. “But once you’re chosen, then they accept you in subsequent years, so you’re part of it if you choose,” noted Torres.
Thereafter, added Torres, returning floral designers get put on a list ranked according to seniority. “If you’re a legacy designer and you’ve been doing it for a while, you’re on the top of the list,” she said. “Or, if it’s your first or second time, you get put on a long list. So, you might not get to pick a piece of art that you particularly enjoy. And this can be a challenge in itself, as some of the pieces that they (the museum) choose are like a vase or a small bowl. There was one (artifact) this year that’s just the nosepiece of a helmet. Luckily, we got pieces that are not bad this year.”
“It’s only from Thursday to Sunday that they’re (flowers) on display,” noted Dungan, an artistic floral designer with over 21 years of experience, who’s been honing her craft since age 16, developing unique and crafty styles in her floral designs. “I was born into it (floral business), my mom did it, my grandmother did it,” she said adding one of the key components to being successful is having “an eye for design and color.”
Discussing her approach, Dungan said: “I’m like a chameleon. I tend to learn and immerse myself in any style I encounter.”
Dungan competes annually in the Del Mar Fair floral show. She said her muse in designing leans towards “an organic look, brimming with greens and leaves.” From her work, visitors can expect to be transported to a world of beauty and wonder, with an array of flowers and natural elements.
Of Art Alive, Torres commented: “One of the things I love is meeting other designers and hearing about their experiences and what is their primary focus. It’s a cool opportunity to have different designers come together.”
Floral designers are also consultants, giving advice to, and working with, clients to achieve just the right floral arrangement for the specific special occasion. “I kind of love it because you get to know the person you’re doing flowers for, which makes it more personable,” pointed out Torres adding, “We do our best to make everyone happy.”
LITTLE HOUSE OF FLOWERS
Where: 1017 Rosecrans St.; 6090 Friars Road.
Información: littlehouseofflowerssd.com, 619-994-3320 in Point Loma.
Hilary Bateman opened Little House of Flowers, a full-service boutique flower shop that is family-owned and operated, in September 2018 after falling in love with the little wooden house on Friars Road. A few years later, Little House expanded to include a larger second location in Point Loma. The shop’s friendly staff, extreme attention to detail, and dedication to quality and artistry have helped grow its reputation in San Diego as well as nationwide. Staff are always ready to assist in placing orders for local delivery or anywhere in the world.
Little House’s floral boutique is unique because it allows patrons to either create their own arrangements or ask the floral team to help in curating one. The florist relishes accommodating any style or floral theme customers request for their events. “We want to be a part of each customer’s floral journey and be able to tell their story via our arrangements,” states the company’s website. Little House offers daily floral delivery to local funeral homes, hospitals, offices, homes, etc. The florist specializes in a diverse range of creative services including special-event florals, weddings, floral subscriptions, workshops, and nationwide delivery.
