Washington, D.C. - The Pepco Edison Place Gallery welcomes back the National Cherry Blossom Festival Community Art Show and Youth Art Contest for the second year in a row.

The Youth Art Contest and Community Art Show, coordinated in partnership with the DC Arts & Humanities Education Collaborative is open to all District of Columbia public and charter school students in grades K-12.  The theme encourages students to "Celebrate Our Natural World" with the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

The exhibit will showcase students' artwork from Friday, March 20 through Friday, April 17 in the Pepco Edison Place Gallery located at 702 8th Street, NW. A panel of judges selects a first, second, and third place winner in four grade categories.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival's youth education programs teach the importance of the gift of trees from Tokyo to the United States and inspire future generations who will enjoy the nation's greatest springtime celebration. Youth programs also promote cross-cultural understanding, environmental stewardship, international friendship and all messages surrounding the symbolic 1912 gift of cherry trees.

The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. Gallery hours will be extended for District of Columbia public and public charter schools from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 20 for an opening reception. 

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