Giant Flowers Bloom In Arlington For Cherry Blossom Festival

ARLINGTON, VA — Twenty-six artists from across the D.C. area have painted 25 giant flower sculptures as part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Blossom Hunt. The sculptures can be found scattered across the region, including two in Crystal City.

Originally from South Korea, artist Woojung Lee is majoring in graphic design at Northern Virginia Community College. Even though she found 2020 to be one of her most productive years as an artist, the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult for her to find inspiration or come up with ideas.

“The only inspiration I could get was from looking outside through my window,” Lee said. “One day, I was up until the sun rose and was thinking this is the hope because no matter what happens, the sun will rise every day, nothing can stop the sun from rising. So are our hopes.”

Lee's sculpture "2021" can be found at Boeing Fields Long Bridge Park (Crystal Drive and 12th Street S).

“I have watched seasons change, and it has helped me to vent loneliness and given me the idea that we eventually overcome whatever makes us struggling," Lee said, in a release. "I believe we are just going through the undefined season, and we will bring back our seasons and bloom beautifully again.”

Artist Hiba Alyawer, an Iraqi-American abstracted artist who lives in Washington, D.C., found inspiration in the arrival of the new season for her sculpture.

“‘Happy Dots’ is a reminder that we are coming out of isolation to gather in celebration throughout the city,” she said. “Using my signature palette of bold vibrant colors, my aim is to create a sense of joy and energy to attract people into a community experience. Bright colors are seen from afar, as playful marks and dots intended to draw in the festival participants to come closer and explore, have fun and immerse themselves in its beauty.”

Alyawer hopes the bright colors of “Happy Dots,” which has been installed at the Crystal City Water Park (1601 Crystal Drive), will awaken the inner child of its viewers.

Both Lee and Alyawer's sculptures will be on display through May 31.

The public is invited to visit all 26 sculptures and share photos of their journey on the festival’s Instagram account (@CherryBlossFest) with the tag #ArtInBloom. Those who post the photos will be eligible to receive a $25 or $500 Amazon gift card.