Route 1 has a new piece of public art thanks to the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which kicked off on March 20 and runs through April 11.
As part of the festival’s public art initiative called “Art in Bloom,” one of 26 cherry blossom-themed sculptures has been placed outside the Woodridge Public Library at 1801 Hamlin St. NE facing Rhode Island Avenue.
Created by Frederick-based artist Matt Long, the 325-pound sculpture, called “Petal Party,” is made of sculpted fiberglass around a steel substructure and was painted with flat exterior latex sealed with an auto-grade satin clear coat.
Meanwhile, “Chiyogami Compilation,” another sculpture with “Art in Bloom” now on display, was made with traditional Japanese paper by artist Paige Friedeman, who was born and raised in Hyattsville. It’s located at the Enid A. Haupt Garden at the Smithsonian Castle.
As a pandemic-safe family activity with the festival, the sculptures have been placed around D.C. and visitors are encouraged to post photos of them on Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #ArtInBloom for a chance to randomly win an Amazon gift card each week.
The sculptures will be on display until May 31 when they will be taken down and auctioned off.
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