SAN DIEGO— Spring has officially arrived in San Diego, and what better way to celebrate the sunshine than by visiting The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. This popular tourist destination is renowned for its 55 acres of giant tecolote ranunculus flowers, and it recently hosted an event showcasing artist Alex Heveri’s exhibit titled “Glass in Flight.” This year's theme, “Where Color Takes Flight,” features over three dozen massive glass and steel sculptures of sparkling butterflies, dragonflies, bamboo, bees, and hummingbirds.

Surprisingly, this was my first visit to The Flower Fields, and I was pleasantly surprised by what I encountered. The event began at the Pavilion Stage, where guests of the private event enjoyed mocktails and received engraved glassware as a keepsake. Members of the Carlsbad attraction welcomed us and introduced the celebrated artist Alex Heveri.

The Tucson-based artist quickly explained her “Glass in Flight” exhibits, representing more than four years of her solo work. Heveri shared how a visit to The Flower Fields a year ago inspired the artwork surrounding us. Since that visit, she has conceived, designed, cut, assembled, and welded every piece of this exhibit's sparkling, realistic sculptures.
“The experience of viewing light through colored and faceted glass is like watching fire,” Alex Heveri said. “Light captivates the viewer like nothing else. Whether in windows or sculptures, brilliantly colored glass stirs up positive emotions and is simply mesmerizing.”
Heveri explained that she did not take much artistic liberty with these sculptures, as the color and anatomy of each insect already provide ample artistic inspiration. This attention to detail is evident throughout her collection of butterflies. As she walked us through the exhibits, she emphasized the extensive research involved in creating each piece.

Another interesting point Heveri mentioned while proudly displaying her artwork is that all the glass used in these sculptures is Dalle de Verre glass, which is produced by only one facility worldwide. She noted that many glass-making shops have closed since the pandemic, which adds to the impressiveness of her beautiful displays. Heveri joked about considering a foray into the glass-making business if only she could find time in her busy schedule.

What makes each piece even more remarkable is Heveri’s construction process. She detailed how she cuts each glass piece with a water saw and utilizes cranes and other heavy machinery to position them just right. This display of stunning design was seen throughout the Demonstration Garden, where there were additional massive steel sculptures of lifelike bees, butterflies, birds, beetles, and dragonflies, some towering 12 feet high and collectively weighing over 50,000 pounds.

Once the event concluded, guests were invited to explore the rest of The Flower Fields, where Heveri’s work was spread throughout the venue. In the Illusion Garden, we found her 8-foot tall Rainbow Archway, while on the opposite side of the Pavilion Stage, in the Fountain Garden, there were her giant 5-foot and 7-foot praying mantis and red and black flying ant sculptures. Other highlights included the Sweet Pea Maze, the Cymbidium Orchid Greenhouse, and the Butterfly Garden, where guests could use a Q-tip to feed the butterflies up close.

Beyond the family area lay acres upon acres of ranunculus flowers, offering guests the chance to walk through and admire the varying colors. At the top of the fields, directly behind the Pavilion Stage, stood Heveri’s Abstract Ocean Sculpture, which towered over the flower fields and provided a picturesque view of Carlsbad and the Pacific Ocean. While Heveri didn’t apply her artistic flair to the insect and flower sculptures, she noted that she had full creative freedom with her other pieces.

I was thrilled to meet the incredible artist behind these unique sculptures. My first visit to The Flower Fields was wonderful, and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t been yet this season. While you're there, take a moment to admire the 30+ pieces of art created by Alex Heveri.

You can see a full brochure of the exhibit here.