Events category: Art

SAAM Beyond the Studio Virtual Workshop with Revery Paper Flora

Smithsonian American Art Museum

SAAM Beyond the Studio Virtual Workshop with Revery Paper Flora

 
Join SAAM and venture beyond the studio with local DC artists in this virtual crafting workshop series.
 
No green thumb? No problem! Join botanical artist and educator Emily Paluska of Revery Paper Flora as she details the basics of paper botanical design and shows participants how to create a one-of-a-kind floral piece, without dirt and upkeep.
 
Please note that space is limited for this program. Tickets include the cost of materials needed for the activity, instructions, and postage.
 
Participants must register by March 21 to ensure materials kit arrives on time. Materials kit includes:
  • Floral wire
  • Tacky glue
  • Crepe paper

Participants will need to provide their own scissors, and a household spice like turmeric, cinnamon, or cumin to mimic pollen. (optional)

This program is presented in partnership with Revery Paper Flora.

Registration required via Eventbrite.

Beyond the studio 2
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Sakura 2024: Live Projection by Robin Bell

National Cherry Blossom Festival

Sakura 2024: Live Video Projection

SATURDAY, MARCH 23 SHOWING CANCELLED
FINAL SHOWING WILL BE SUNDAY, MARCH 24

Bell will mix the installation live every evening, and each night, the visuals will build upon the previous night’s work, showcasing custom pieces by Bell and other renowned D.C.-based artists, Jonathan Monaghan, Matthew Curry, and the Festival’s official artist, Nicholas Shi.

Robin Bell, founder of Bell Visuals, is an award-winning multimedia artist based in Washington, DC. Robin works on a range of creative, political, and public interest projects. Building upon his formal training as a classical printmaker, Robin developed a unique style of live video collage, which he has performed at well-known venues, including The Kennedy Center, 9:30 Club, The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., Central Park Summer Stage in New York City, and The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California.

Nicolas Shi is the Official Artist of the 2024 Festival. He is a long-time D.C. resident and was born in El Salvador to Chinese parents. His work is influenced by his Latin American upbringing, his Chinese heritage, and his formal education in the United States. Shi has exhibited internationally, most notably at Museo de Arte, El Salvador; Centro Cultural Casa de la Moneda, Santiago, Chile; Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum, Washington, DC; the Gasteig Cultural Center, Munich; the Ibero- Amerikanishes Institut, Berlin; and the Biggs Museum of American Art, Dover, Delaware.

Jonathan Monaghan is a D.C.-based artist working across a range of media, including prints, sculpture, and computer-animated video, to produce otherworldly objects and narratives. Past exhibitions include The Sundance Film Festival, The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, and The Palais de Tokyo in Paris. His work sits in numerous public and private collections, including The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., and the Microsoft Art Collection.

With a career spanning 20 years, Matthew Curry’s award-winning graphic design and illustration has been profiled by APPLE, earning him two Grammy® nominations and an ART TALK feature on VICE®. Beyond his nominated work for Thievery Corporation, Matthew’s artwork has been commissioned by Fortune 500 Companies and hangs in galleries and private collections all over the world. In addition to his work as an artist, Matthew has also been invited to speak about his work and process for National Geographic, The Art Director’s Club, AIGA, and The Corcoran College of Art & Design.

PLAN YOUR FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

What began with a gift in 1912 at the Tidal Basin is now a four-week extravaganza spanning Washington, DC, and neighboring communities in Maryland and Virginia. From exciting events to convenient hotels, delectable Cherry Picks restaurants to, vibrant Art in Bloom installations, and a jaw-dropping City in Bloom to joyful Petal Porches, see the Washington, DC area as you can only see it once a year!

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Opening Ceremony

Let's Go!
3/23

Petalpalooza Presented by Chase

Let's Go!
4/6

Presenting sponsor

Co-Presenter

Supporter

DowntownDC BID

Sakura Sunday 2024

National Harbor

Sakura Sunday 2024

Sakura Sunday celebrates the Cherry Blossoms with free cultural activities including an artisanal Japanese marketplace, cultural performances, culinary delights, a sake and beer garden and more!

VISIT WEBSITE

PLAN YOUR FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

What began with a gift in 1912 at the Tidal Basin is now a four-week extravaganza spanning Washington, DC, and neighboring communities in Maryland and Virginia. From exciting events to convenient hotels, delectable Cherry Picks restaurants to, vibrant Art in Bloom installations, and a jaw-dropping City in Bloom to joyful Petal Porches, see the Washington, DC area as you can only see it once a year!

Explore the Festival's Roots

Travel to Japan is open once again, and we invite you experience and explore Japan firsthand. Learn more about the Festival partners who would love to help you plan your trip!

TRAVEL TO JAPAN

PLAN YOUR FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

What began with a gift in 1912 at the Tidal Basin is now a four-week extravaganza spanning Washington, DC, and neighboring communities in Maryland and Virginia. From exciting events to convenient hotels, delectable Cherry Picks restaurants to, vibrant Art in Bloom installations, and a jaw-dropping City in Bloom to joyful Petal Porches, see the Washington, DC area as you can only see it once a year!

Check out our other events

Petalpalooza presented by Chase

Let's Go!
4/6

The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade presented by Events DC

Let's Go!
4/13

Smithsonian Cherry Blossom Festival

Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art

Cherry Blossom Festival

Celebrate spring coming into bloom at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art with free attractions for all ages, including performances, curator tours, hands-on activities, a kimono pop-up, and more.

Visit Websit

YOUR FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

What began with a gift in 1912 at the Tidal Basin is now a four-week extravaganza spanning Washington, DC, and neighboring communities in Maryland and Virginia. From exciting events to convenient hotels, delectable Cherry Picks restaurants, vibrant Art in Bloom installations, and a jaw-dropping City in Bloom to joyful Petal Porches, see the Washington, DC area as you can only see it once a year!

Explore the Festival's Roots

Travel to Japan is open once again, and we invite you experience and explore Japan firsthand. Learn more about the Festival partners who would love to help you plan your trip!

TRAVEL TO JAPAN

Check out our other events

Japanese Culture Day

Let's Go!
4/1

National Cherry Blossom Parade presented by Events DC

Let's Go!
3/20 - 3/23

Wishing Tree

Planet Word Museum

Wishing Tree

Visitors of Planet Word will be invited to participate in the ‘Wishing Tree’ for the duration of the Cherry Blossom Festival. Over time, a large cherry blossom tree will begin to form with hundreds of pink paper petals. Guests will select a poem from our collection of poetry, write it on a slip of paper, and place it inside an origami paper petal ‘pocket’ that is adhered to the branches of the cherry blossom tree. At the end of the festival, the petals will be passed on to visitors in the museum as a symbol of friendship.

VISIT WEBSITE

YOUR FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

What began with a gift in 1912 at the Tidal Basin is now a four-week extravaganza spanning Washington, DC, and neighboring communities in Maryland and Virginia. From exciting events to convenient hotels, delectable Cherry Picks restaurants, vibrant Art in Bloom installations, and a jaw-dropping City in Bloom to joyful Petal Porches, see the Washington, DC area as you can only see it once a year!

Check out our other events

The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade presented by Events DC

Let's Go!
4/15

Sakura Matsuri- Japanese Street Festival

Let's Go!
4/15 - 4/16

Chalk Walk

downtown dc business improvement district presents

ChalkWalk

Visit DowntownDC’s ChalkWalk to step into an immersive spring art experience. This unique, Instagrammable and cherry blossom-inspired 3D art installation is a backdrop you don’t want to miss to celebrate spring in the city!

Share your photos using our hashtag #ChalkWalkDC for a chance to win prizes from the DowntownDC BID.

SAAM Beyond the Studio Virtual Workshop with Rock Paper Plant

Smithsonian American Art Museum Presents

SAAM Beyond the Studio: Virtual Workshop with Rock Paper Plant

Join SAAM and venture beyond the studio with local DC artists in this virtual crafting workshop series. Bring the outdoors in with the founders of Rock Paper Plant, Alicia Mazzara and Cielo Contreras. During this engaging Zoom workshop, participants hear how Rock Paper Plant got its roots, while also learning the basics of needle felting to create a 3D cherry blossom out of wool. Space is limited. Tickets include the cost of materials needed for the activity, instructions, and postage. Participants must register by March 7 to ensure materials kit arrives on time.

Beyond the studio 1

SAAM Virtual Cherry Blossom Celebration

Smithsonian American Art Museum presents

SAAM Virtual Cherry Blossom Celebration

Join us for a virtual program full of springtime fun for the whole family. Enjoy a lively performance of traditional Japanese Taiko drumming by the group Nen Daiko. Then learn more as the group demonstrates how they plan their performances and design their own instruments. Explore art, nature, and color with SAAM‘s docents in the new virtual edition of our popular Art Cart series. For more activities, check out our ongoing Family Zone for seasonal crafts, coloring pages, videos, and more. Register now!

The Workhouse in Bloom

workhouse arts center presents

The Workhouse in Bloom

The Workhouse welcomes back the Community Market just in time for Cherry Blossom season! Our Community Market, developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, will launch its second season with some returning favorites and brand new vendors. Join us for arts, crafts, live entertainment, themed cocktails, contests and much more! Later, join resident Workhouse artists for our Cherry Blossom edition of Virtual Second Saturday. We’ll have live discussions with featured artists for a studio experience right from home!

Look & Listen: Japanese Art and Music

Freer and Sackler, Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art PRESENTS

Look & Listen: Japanese Art and Music

Explore traditional Japanese views of nature and the seasons through the music of the shakuhachi (bamboo flute) and beautiful paintings and woodblock prints from the museum’s collections. Event Link.

(Artist) Hokushu

Renegades of Fashion: Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto

The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum

Fashion in Film: Renegades of Fashion

Two Japanese designers—Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto —revolutionized the fashion industry by abandoning tradition and staying true their own artistic visions. Watch two short films on YouTube about the designers on your own prior to the program, then join curator Lee Talbot for a discussion of their career and influence.

About the Films
The old guard of fashion despised her; the critics never understood her. But for Rei Kawakubo, founder of the renowned fashion label Comme des Garcons, that was always the point. Kawakubo eschewed conventional standards of beauty, ushering in a new era of anti-fashion. (Fashion Industry Broadcast, 30 minutes.)

Yohji Yamamoto’s innovation has led to groundbreaking collaborations and pop culture moments, such as reinventing Dr.Martens and dressing entertainment icons fromTina Turner to Elton John. His trailblazing Y-3 range with street-sports giant Adidas paved the way for the now billion-dollar athleisure industry. (Fashion Industry Broadcast, 30 minutes.)

About Lee Talbot
Lee Talbot joined The Textile Museum as a curator in 2007, specializing in East Asian textiles. He has curated numerous exhibitions and published catalogues, articles, and textbook chapters. Talbot was previously curator at the Chung Young Yang Embroidery Museum in Seoul, Korea. He has a bachelor’s from Rhodes College, MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, and master’s from Bard Graduate Center.

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Post viewing discussion led by Jasmine Helm and Joy Davis from the fashion podcast Unravel about two short films featuring contemporary Japanese fashion designers Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto.

Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photo by Rhododendrites / CC BY-SA 4.0.Photo by Kevin Allen. Courtesy of the George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum. Eijun Shiroma, kimono, Okinawa Island, Japan, 2017. The Textile Museum 2017.8.1. Donated by Eijun Shiroma, 15th generation head of the Shiroma Bingata Studio.

Petal Porch Registration

2024 rEGISTRATION

Register for petal porches!

The National Cherry Blossom Festival invites Washington, DC area residents to spring on the creativity and register now to decorate their homes for spring in all things pink and blossoms with Petal Porches presented by Amazon! Registration is now open, register by March 13th to receive a complimentary yard sign, while supplies last. 

*Please note: Information, dates, and program details subject to change.

How does it work?
Registration is FREE.  All registered participants will receive a downloadable sign to print and include in your display. Once registered, you will be added to the official Petal Porches Map. Make sure to register early to get a FREE Official National Cherry Blossom Festival Petal Porches yard sign! 

Tips for registering:

  • Be creative with your porch name and when describing your display. 
  • Get your neighbors to register for a chance to compete for Best Blossom Block.
REGISTER NOW
Click here to view the 2023 Petal Porches Map

I registered! What’s next?
You should see your home listed on the Petal Porches map within 3-5 business days.

Don’t have a porch? No problem! Feel free to decorate your yard, sidewalk, window, or something else visible from the street or sidewalk. Petal Porches should be decorated during the dates of the Festival: Wednesday, March 20 through Sunday, April 14. 

Tips for decorating:

  • Bring spring to your neighborhood by decorating in the theme of cherry blossoms, pink, springtime, or create your own theme! Please decorate for a family-friendly audience. 
  • Shop the Petal Porches Amazon Wishlist.
  • Need more inspiration? Check out the photos below, as well as these how-to videos from local artists for ideas on how to make homemade decorations for your porch, yard, and window. Scroll to the bottom of the page to check out last year’s competition winners!
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HOW TO DECORATE

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I’m all blossomed up! How else can I get into the spring spirit?

To add to the excitement, Petal Porches is hosting a neighborly competition with two categories for the chance to win special cherry blossom prizes. To sign up, select “yes” when registering your Petal Porch. You will be contacted by a blossom team member to submit a photo and porch theme. Follow the Festival on social media and subscribe to the newsletter for the latest updates. The competition categories are:

  • Best Blossom Block: Awarded to the best-decorated block of porches. Festival staff will judge based on a block’s participation and overall theme. The winner will receive a neighborhood party.
  • Prime Petal Porches: Awarded to the best-decorated porch in each DC Ward. Maryland and Virginia will also have one winner per state. Festival staff will select the top three porches per DC Ward, Maryland, and Virginia. Guest judges will tour and select winners. The winner will receive a custom watercolor rendering of their Petal Porches submission photo to remember their winning design for years to come!

Rules & Regulations

  • Displays must be fully decorated during the dates of the Festival: March 20 through April 14.
  • Displays must be appropriate for a family audience. 
  • Displays should not focus on religious, political, ideological, or controversial themes or issues. Use of any political sign, social, or political material is not permitted.
  • Petal Porch participants are asked to refrain from portraying any commercial marketing in their displays. Businesses interested in embracing the spring spirit through creative exteriors are encouraged to sign up for the Festival’s City in Bloom program.
  • National Cherry Blossom Festival reserves the right to exclude any displays that do not meet our guidelines or that feature content not aligned with our mission.
  • Registrations are limited to one per household, per location.
  • Registration for the Petal Porches and/or tagging the @cherryblossfest, #PetalPorches and related photos or videos on social media grants the National Cherry Blossom Festival permission to use your images and footage on any platform.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2022 WINNERS

Best Blossom Block: 1300 Block of A St. NE Washington, DC

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Prime Petal Porches

DC WINNERS
Ward 1: Cherry Blossom Embassy – Let Peace Bloom
Ward 2: Minion in Pink
Ward 3: Pretty in Pink
Ward 4: Pink Petal Porch Party
Ward 5: We Flamingos Love Cherry Blossom Festival!
Ward 6: House of 1,000 Cranes
Ward 7: 32nd Sweet Southeast
Ward 8: PinkPalace SomeBunny Guarding the Cherry Blossoms Red Carpet Entrance

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MARYLAND WINNERS
Kensington: Bloom Where You Are Planted- Cheery, Cherry Pink Passion for Kensington
Seat Pleasant: Kon’nichiwa Sakura
Silverspring: Lanterns and garlands

VIRGINIA WINNERS
Herndon:  Cherry Blossom at the Historic Herndon Halloween House
Arlington: Pinktastic!
Alexandria: Cherry pink

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People's Petal Porch Winners

DC: Ward 4 – Pink Petal Porch Party 

MD: Silver Spring – Lanterns and Garlands

NEED INSPIRATION?

Swipe to check out more photos below featuring some of our favorites!

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Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

Supporting Sponsor

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MORE INFORMATION

Want to register and decorate your home as part of Petal Porches?

LEARN MORE

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

SPONSORS

University of District of Columbia Logo

SUPPORTED IN PART BY

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities

For questions related to Petal Porches, contact 

CONTACT

Sakura Sundays

SAKURA SUNDAY

Sakura Sunday at National Harbor will feature a wide array of free cultural activities including Japanese inspired art creation, culinary classes, in person or virtual, and much more to be announced.

More to come soon!

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CLOSEST METRO

Southern Avenue

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National Cherry Blossom Day in the Fairfax Visitor Center

Into the Woods at FPFP

Celebrate the National Cherry Blossom festival with this free event at Frying Pan Farm Park. We invite you to trek on our nature trail to experience the changes of spring. Visit stations peppered throughout the trail to build a fairy house, help tally migratory and year-round resident birds, and search for critters in the soil and water. Enjoy Japanese teas at the historic Frying Pan Meeting House. Stop by the Indoor Arena first for a map and instructions. The program runs from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information, call 703.437.9101. All ages welcome.

CLOSEST METRO

Wiehle-Reston East Station

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Restaurants Nearby SEE ALL RESTAURANTS
Founding Farmers – Reston
Phone
703-988-7333
Address

1904 Reston Metro Plaza Drive
Reston, VA 20190

Founding Farmers – Reston
Phone
703-988-7333
Address

1904 Reston Metro Plaza Drive
Reston, VA 20190

Renewal 2121

ARTECHOUSE PRESENTS: RENEWAL 2121

Embark on a journey 100 years into the future to an overdeveloped metropolis where nature’s resilience takes center stage.

Inspired by the annual cherry blossom season and utilizing the power of creative technology, Renewal 2121 seeks to inspire hope amid a global pandemic and concerns of climate change.

Renewal 2121 presents a possible future 100 years from now, if humanity’s growth and expansion goes unchecked. As visitors explore ARTECHOUSE DC’s four galleries, they will traverse through a cyberpunk cityscape, an interactive market, bustling alleyways and an abandoned rooftop, finding nature blooming in the most unexpected places amidst this industrial future. This science fiction aesthetic is intentional —the imagined worlds of our future and advancements in science and technology often inspire one other.

The installation’s inspiration also celebrates three themes of renewal —the city, nature, and ourselves.Paralleling the constant rebirth of cities through human innovation and nature’s adaptive resilience, Renewal2121 coincides with both the blooming season and the beginning of the calendar year. The forward-looking energy of new hopes, dreams and actions that these cycles bring is part of the core message of this multi-sensory experience, along with the critical challenge that we face together as global citizens: climate change. Focusing specifically on the extinction element of climate change and presenting “sakura” or cherry blossoms as a symbol for nature as a whole, Renewal 2121 aims to inspire people to harness their energy towards finding solutions that will ensure a brighter future.

CLOSEST METRO

Smithsonian

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