Art in Bloom

The largest and most colorful cherry blossoms in the history of the National Cherry Blossom Festival have appeared across the Washington, D.C., area several weeks before the peak bloom.

Festival organizers commissioned local artists to paint 26 large sculptures shaped like cherry blossoms that have been installed in all eight wards throughout D.C. and some locations in Maryland and northern Virginia. The Art in Bloom project includes a map and prizes so people can explore different neighborhoods while searching for the sculptures, which also serve as chairs for a quick rest or social media post.

Three of the sculptures have been placed in the Enid A. Haupt Garden behind the Smithsonian Castle and west of the Arts and Industries Building. Those sculptures were sponsored by the Embassy of Japan to honor the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and to commemorate the “Unshakable Friendship’ between Japan and the United States.

This year marks the 10^th anniversary of The Great East Japan Earthquake, which caused devastating damage to the country and people and the tragic loss of nearly 20,000 lives. 

The earthquake may have shaken Japan, but it only strengthened the friendship between Japan and the United States. We remember with profound gratitude our greatest supporters and friends in America who, more than any other country, responded with critical aid and heartfelt messages of hope when we needed it most. Much like the cherry trees along the Tidal Basin—originally a gift from Japan to the U.S. in 1912 and a symbol of renewal—our friendship has continued to grow with every year. 

The blossoms carry a special meaning on this anniversary. The Embassy of Japan is proud to sponsor sculptures that honor our enduring friendship with the U.S. “Blossoms on the Mall” celebrates the unity of two cultures spanning over a century: Japanese cherry trees, bestowed more than 100 years ago, blending in harmony with iconic Washington landmarks to illustrate a rich, joint legacy of alliance. The depiction perfectly depicts the spirit of our present partnership and the lasting ties that we share. This bond between Japan and the U.S. continues to thrive, blossoming evermore from mutual appreciation and commitment into a lifelong Unshakable Friendship. 

Blossoms on the Mall
# Unshakeable Friendship

Joy Columbus, director of Smithsonian Gardens, said the sculptures have been a big hit with visitors.

“It is a wonderful location to sit with your friends and take a picture. It’s a great interactive project, and I’m delighted Smithsonian Gardens was able to welcome these three sculptures,” she said. “This past year has been challenging for all of us in so many ways. It’s a great way to welcome spring and honor each other and celebrate good times.”

The sculpture project also is a good way to disperse crowds across the city to avoid overcrowding and coronavirus safety concerns at the Tidal Basin. The National Park Service will be limiting public access to the Tidal Basin and Potomac Park during the peak bloom.

“There’s beauty throughout D.C. and the Smithsonian campus,” Columbus said. “There are gardens everywhere when you walk through the city and enjoy springtime and nature.” 

Smithsonian Gardens extends the Smithsonian’s museum experience in a public garden setting with over 180 acres of outdoor gardens including 13 public exhibition gardens often called the Smithsonian institution’s “museum without walls.”

“We’re our own living museum,” Columbus said. “A lot of our visitors stumble upon the beauty of the individual gardens and maybe learn something new in an unexpected way.”

Meet Joy Columbus

After serving as vice president of horticulture at the Houston Botanic Garden, Columbus was hired last December to lead the Smithsonian Gardens, which has more than 50 staff members, most of whom are gardeners or horticulturists. It was a strange time to start a new job in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, but Columbus said she felt welcomed right away even though she was meeting many people through videoconferences.

“The spirit and friendliness of the Smithsonian Gardens staff and the camaraderie is so genuine,” she said. “Everything from the very moment I started working here embodies the power of the Smithsonian and how we all really love what we do.”

Smithsonian Gardens is open to visitors. Guests must wear masks, and some high-traffic areas have directional signs to help maintain social distancing. The three sculptures in the Enid A. Haupt Garden were painted by local artists Jaleel Davis, Ameena Fareeda, and Paige Friedman, and will be on view until May 31.

Since she moved here last winter, Columbus is excited to experience her first D.C. cherry blossom festival. “As I saw the earth starting to wake up after sleeping through winter, I was so excited to see the magnolias and cherry blossoms,” she said.  

The Art and the Artists

Jaleel Davis

Washington, DC

With over 30 years of art experience, Jaleel Davis is a born and raised seasoned Washington D.C. based visual artist. His visual art focuses on customized pieces to include murals, shoes, jackets, various objects, canvas paintings and private art lessons. “I’m a visual artist who finds inspiration everywhere I go. In 1990, Jaleel graduated from Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington D.C. and later completed drawing courses at Corcoran School of the Arts. In 1995 he became a professional firefighter in Arlington Virginia while continuing to perfect his craft and love for art. In 2008 Jaleel was the selected artist to design the logo that is currently used on all fire apparatus in Arlington County Virginia among many other achievements throughout his career. He has designed and painted murals inside several businesses in Washington D.C. His most recent custom mural was painted inside a brand new luxury apartment building in Arlington Virginia.
http://www.jaybirdsart.com/

Ameena Fareeda

Silver Spring, MD

Ameena Fareeda is a freelance Illustrator and Designer based in Silver Spring, MD. She graduated from The Maryland Institute College of Art with a MFA in Illustration. She describes her work as colorful and graphic by using a simplified and decorative approach. Ameena expands her creative skills through multiple mediums of design, illustration and printmaking. Creating work that sparks a sense of joy and curiosity through everyday nuances is her ultimate goal as an artist.
https://www.instagram.com/uhmeanuh/

Peijisan Art

Gaithersburg, MD

Peijisan Art is a visual artist and instructor from the DC Metro Area. Born and raised in Hyattsville, Maryland – she now resides in Gaithersburg, Maryland where she creates most of her work. She shows her work in galleries all around the DMV area and works with non-profit art organizations to continue to spread her love and knowledge of the arts to the public and inspire the next generation of artists. She helps manage a local art gallery as well as helps with artist social media accounts and consulting. Her work ranges from digital art, to paintings to 10 foot sculptures made entirely of recycled materials. Much of her work has a Japanese aesthetic or inspiration as she studied the language and culture for many years. You may see her murals or origami installations around town or find her teaching origami at various events in the future.

http://www.instagram.com/Peijisan_Art

Brendan L. Smith is a freelance journalist and communications consultant with 25 years of experience with newspapers, magazines and websites. 

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