WASHINGTON — It may only be November, but we're already looking forward to spring thanks to the National Cherry Blossom Festival sharing its plans for the 2024 celebration.
In a ceremony on Wednesday, officials unveiled the official artwork for the 2024 festival. The work is called "Fleeing Beauty" by artist and longtime D.C. resident Nicolas Shi. Shi's piece captures the essence of the blossoms against the iconic backdrop of D.C.'s monuments.
Shi was born in El Salvador to Chinese parents. He fled his war-torn country in his youth to attend college in the United States. He studied architectural engineering and worked in that field for 10 years before dedicating his life to painting.
His work is influenced by his Latin American upbringing, his Chinese heritage, and his formal education in the United States. He mixes the bright colors of Central America with the harmony and simplicity of traditional Chinese painting and the boldness found in contemporary American art.
Check out the work below:
You can purchase the artwork as a print here, along with shirts, mugs and other accessories.
Remember to mark your calendars. The celebration cherry trees runs from March 20 to April 14, 2024.
What began with a gift in 1912 at the Tidal Basin now spans four weeks throughout Washington, D.C., and neighboring communities in Maryland and Virginia. Residents and visitors are invited to celebrate all that spring in D.C. has to offer.
Additional details about the celebration have not yet been released. Check out the festival's website for the latest updates.