Question

summarize the content of your source in 3-4 sentences. Write in complete sentences.

By James Wright
WI Staff Writer
Most creators dream of the opportunity to show their talents at a major
event that offers to catapult them into
fame, and for Anna August of Park
West Gallery in Southfield, Michigan,
that chance has come with the 2025
National Cherry Blossom Festival
(NCBF).
“Joy, serenity and a bit of nostalgia
is what my art is about,” said August,
who was revealed as next year’s official
artist during the 2025 NCBF launch
event at the Ronald Reagan Building
and International Trade Center in
Northwest, D.C. on Nov. 21. “The
style of art is expressionism with the
use of vibrant, bold colors.”
Her piece “Bloom,” the official
artwork of the festival, showcases the
beauty and nuances of spring and the
cherry blossoms.
“My art is my way of capturing the
beauty and ever-changing moments
of life, so being able to share that
through the cherry blossoms, an iconic symbol of renewal and joy, is truly
amazing,” August, a 23-year-old Massachusetts-based artist, said. “I hope it
reminds [audiences] of the magic that
the blossoms bring each year and give
a sense of connection to the festival.”
August’s art was the highlight of the
launch, which also included vignettes
of activities that will take place during
the 2025 festival, which runs from
March 20-April 13.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival, an outgrowth of the gift of cherry
trees from Japan to the United States
in 1912, has grown into an annual official District event.
“In 2024, the Cherry Blossom
Festival attracted 1.6 million attendees and generated $220 billion for
the Washington, D.C. metropolitan
area,” said District Secretary Kimberly
Bassett.
Bassett said the District made millions of dollars from tourists and visitors coming for the festival, “staying
in hotels, eating in our restaurants and
patronizing local businesses.”
Planned NCBF staple events include the Pink Tie Party on March 14,
the Opening Ceremony on March
22, Blossom Kite Festival on March
29, Petalpaooza at Capitol Riverfront
on April 5, National Cherry Blossom
Festival Parade on April 12 and the
Tidal Basin Welcome Area & ANA
Stage on April 12. In addition, the
festival will feature signature programs
such as the Blossom Kites for Kids,
Blossom Tea Party, Kites in the Classroom and the Student Art Showcase,
Art in Bloom, City in Bloom, and
Cherry Picks.
In addition, festival attendees
can also tap into events such as:
The Art of Pink, Jazz & Blossom
and the Sakura Matsui—Japanese
Street Festival.
Although winter hasn’t officially
started, NCBF President and CEO
Diana Mayhew told The Informer in
a WIN-TV interview that the festival
is already spreading the beauty and
warmth of spring throughout the nation’s capital.
During the festival kickoff, the
excitement for the 2025 festival was
palpable.
As part of the Nov. 21 event, CenterStage Academy for the Arts, based in
Clinton, Maryland, performed dance
5Anna August, the official artist of the 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival, stands next to her artwork during the
festival’s launch at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Northwest on Nov. 21.
(Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
routines to leading hit songs such as
“Let’s Dance” by David Bowie, while
Diana Mayhew energized the crowd
even more, jumping in the middle and
dancing with the performers.
“This is the just a glimpse of the talent that will be showcased during the
2025 National Cherry Blossom
Festival Season Kicks Off
festival,” said Mayhew, appreciating
the work of the dancers, August, and
many artists, who are participating in
the 2025 programming.
Mayhew also said that 2027 will
mark the 100th anniversary of the
festival, and emphasized the hard
work NCBF does to engage with the
community beyond the annual spring
programming.
“It is more than just a festival,” she
said. “It’s about creating connections
all year.” WI
@JamesWrightJr10
SMOLLETT from Page 4
been spread, I still believe that
justice will be served.”
In a 2019 resolution, prosecutors dropped the charges after
Smollett forfeited his $10,000
bond and completed community
service. However, public backlash
led to appointing a special prosecutor who revived the case.
Smollett was later convicted
on five counts of felony disorderly conduct in 2021, based largely
on testimony from the Osundairo brothers, who said Smollett
planned and directed the staged
assault. He was sentenced to five
months in jail in 2022, but served
just six days before being released
pending appeal.
This year, on Nov. 21, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled 4-2 in
Smollett’s favor, citing violations
of his due process rights.
Nenye Uche, Smollett’s attorney, welcomed the ruling.
“We are thankful to the Illinois
Supreme Court for restoring order
to Illinois’ criminal law jurisprudence," Uche stated. "This decision is a
victory for justice and due process

Answer 1

Anna August, a 23-year-old artist from Massachusetts, has been named the official artist for the 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival (NCBF) in Washington, D.C. Her artwork, titled "Bloom," beautifully captures the essence of spring and the cherry blossoms, aiming to evoke feelings of joy and connection during the festival. The NCBF, an annual event celebrating the gift of cherry trees from Japan to the U.S. in 1912, attracted 1.6 million attendees in 2024, significantly boosting the local economy. The festival will feature numerous events from March 20 to April 13, 2025, including the Pink Tie Party, Blossom Kite Festival, and National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade.