National Cherry Blossom Festival 2021 Artwork Unveiled

WASHINGTON, D.C. — National Cherry Blossom Festival leaders, District of Columbia officials and others gathered virtually Wednesday to preview the 2021 National Cherry Blossom Festival, which will run March 20-April 11.

Designed to incorporate both virtual and personal experiences, the 2021 festival will present a series of hybrid events and community outreach programs that adhere to city and CDC guidelines put in place to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. In light of the pandemic, most 2021 festival programming will be free and open to the public, including a one-hour nationally syndicated television show; 20 large, vibrant cherry blossom sculptures displayed in dozens of locations throughout the city; and locally curated community experiences that focus on music, cuisine and visual arts presentations.

Also unveiled during Wednesday’s event was the 2021 official artwork created by Patrick Guyton. Organizers said his piece captures the energy and colors of the Tidal Basin in springtime with a metallic, reflective spiraling vortex of cherry blossoms set against the backdrop of the Washington Monument. The 2021 commemorative poster featuring the artwork is now available for purchase.

“I’ve been making cherry blossom art for 10 years, and during an art auction in early 2019, I was approached by a collector to submit some work for the Festival,” Guyton said in a press release. “It was a gigantic honor to be selected to create the piece, and I’m excited to see it there in person during next year’s festival."

For more information about the 2021 festival, visit www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.