Nationals team up with local artists for 'Art of the Game' initiative

Local artists, including Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli, designed custom ‘Curly W’ logos to be featured on Heritage Day jackets

The Washington Nationals have teamed up with local artists to create custom-designed interpretations of the Curly W logo to be featured on the giveaway jackets at the Nationals’ nine Heritage Day games this season. As part of the ‘Art of the Game’ initiative, local artists from diverse backgrounds, including Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli, each brought the Curly W to life in their own way with unique perspectives and identities. Special tickets for the Heritage Day games, which include the exclusive giveaway jackets, are available now at nats.com/Heritage.

“Our ‘Art of the Game’ initiative aims to cultivate a deeper connection and sense of pride among our fans while showcasing the rich diversity that defines our community,” said Kimberly Bolt, Chief Marketing Officer, Washington Nationals. “Our fans are the heartbeat of our organization, and their unique stories and backgrounds help shape us. We are proud to team up with local artists for this community-driven art initiative to create a deeper sense of connection and pride.”

Each artist used the Curly W logo as a canvas and created a design reflective of their cultural identity. The selected artwork was then commissioned to be featured prominently on the back of the respective Heritage Day jacket giveaways that are included with special ticket purchases.

Bios for each artist, as while as descriptions and inspiration for their designs, can be found on the following page.

The featured ‘Art of the Game’ artists include:

The featured artists were sourced through collaborations with local anchor groups and embassies. Additionally, the artists for AAPI Heritage Day, Korean Heritage Day and Taiwanese Heritage Day were identified with support from Gold House.

About the artists:

Akiko Darcey – Japanese Heritage Day (Monday, April 7 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers)
A native of Tokyo, Japan, Akiko has called the DMV home for more than 20 years. Akiko’s work is deeply influenced by her Japanese heritage, particularly the themes of simplicity, balance and meticulous detail. Her designs often incorporate symbols of Japan, such as cherry blossoms and wave patterns, which reflect the harmony and beauty found in nature. Akiko’s art captures a sense of peace and connection, exemplified in her design for the Japanese Heritage Day logo, where she uses a traditional color palette to evoke both cultural authenticity and aesthetic harmony. Through her art, Akiko bridges her Japanese roots with her life in the U.S., creating work that connects with a global audience.

Check out more of Akiko’s work at @akikod.hana.

Peter Chang – AAPI Heritage Day (Tuesday, May 20 vs. Atlanta Braves) and Korean Heritage Day (Sunday, May 25 vs. San Francisco Giants)
A muralist and designer by trade with more than 20 years of experience, Peter’s work is centered around a passion for supporting small businesses and building community. An entrepreneur from a young age, Peter worked in events production, entertainment booking, marketing and sales before founding No Kings Collective, a public art collaborative that works with small businesses, governments and corporations to create art-forward experiences around the world, in 2009. In recent years, he co-founded Studio Usan, and has devoted more of his time to coalition-building around causes he is passionate about like supporting the artist economy and the AAPI community. Peter founded UMBRELLA in 2019 and The Redeye Night market in 2021. He is the son of Korean immigrants and was born and raised in the DMV. His latest artworks are centered around Korean folklore and mythology using modern art techniques.

Fun tidbit: Peter painted the large mural inside Nationals Park near the Bud Terrace escalators. 

Check out more of Peter’s work at @usanusan and @peterfranklinchang.

Cade Cavalli – Italian Heritage Day (Wednesday, Aug. 6 vs. Athletics)
Selected by the Nationals in the first round of the 2020 First-Year Player Draft, the right-handed starting pitcher was named Washington’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2021 and 2022 before undergoing Tommy John surgery in Spring Training in 2023. In search of a hobby to occupy himself while rehabbing, Cade turned to art, which had long run in his family. His aunt, Megan, is a videogame illustrator, and his grandfather, whom Cade calls “Papa Steve,” took up painting after retiring and primarily paints Italian landscapes. Cade discovered parallels between his newfound passion and pitching, with visualization and execution playing integral roles in results for both tasks. Designing this year’s Italian Heritage Day Curly W logo represents an overlap of his professional and personal journey, featuring a tip of the cap to his heritage and “Papa Steve.”

Fun tidbit: Cade is a pitcher for the Washington Nationals.

Ken Mendoza – Filipino Heritage Day (Sunday, Aug. 17 vs. Philadelphia Phillies)
Ken Mendoza, a retired federal worker living in Northern Virginia for more than 30 years, creates artwork for a nonprofit, FABA of Metropolitan DC, Inc., which fosters fellowship, athleticism and fair play since 2001. His submission symbolizes a vibrant collaboration of Filipino and American cultures. The Philippine flag and icons like the jeepney and tricycle reflect teamwork and storytelling, while the eagle and water buffalo embody resilience and hard work. A small hut signifies simplicity, and ice cream reminds us to cherish life's sweetness. Known as the "Pearl of the Orient," the Philippines is celebrated for its rich resources, pristine waters and unparalleled Filipino hospitality. Ken's art pays homage to the nation’s traditions, elders' contributions and the enduring culture shared across generations.

Check out more of Ken’s work at @rakstedy11.

Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann – Taiwanese Heritage Day (Saturday, Aug. 30 vs. Tampa Bay Rays)
Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann makes luxuriant paper paintings and installations that explore world-building, botanical excess, and a personal mythology informed by her identity as a biracial, second-generation Taiwanese American living in D.C.

Her work has been shown at the Walters Art Museum, Kreeger Museum, Academy Art Museum, Corcoran Gallery of Art and American embassies in Cameroon, Peru and the UAE.

Check out more of Katherine’s work at @ktzulan.

Ruth Becker – Jewish Community Day (Sunday, Aug. 31 vs. Tampa Bay Rays)
Ruth Becker is a multidisciplinary Jewish-American artist best known for intricate, layered paper artworks and colorful, geometric graphic prints. Her style is innovative and contemporary and also deeply rooted in Jewish folk-craft traditions and techniques. She began papercutting as a teen and later established her practice designing ketubahs (Jewish wedding art,) creating more than 2,500 works for couples worldwide. Ruth's work has since expanded to include abstract compositions in lasercut plexiglass, acrylic paint and layered plywood. Through abstraction and material experimentation, Ruth explores how process shapes perception and how what we do impacts what we know, see, and understand. Ruth earned degrees in rhetoric and law and was a Fulbright fellow in Tel Aviv. Born and raised in the DMV, she lived in Israel for more than 15 years before returning home to Chevy Chase, Md., where she now lives and works.

Check out more of Ruth’s work at @ruthbeckerart.

Josue Martinez – Hispanic Heritage Day (Monday, Sept. 15 vs. Atlanta Braves) and Salvadoran Heritage Day (Sunday, Sept. 28 vs. Chicago White Sox)
Josue Martinez is a passionate multimedia artist and graphic designer with more than 30 years of experience in creating original, inspired works of art. An alumnus of the prestigious Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), Josue brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to his projects. A unique aspect of his work is Corinto Gallery, which he named after his birthplace, Corinto, El Salvador, as a tribute to his roots. The gallery serves as a creative hub, fostering artistic expression, community education and engagement. Beyond his role as an artist, Josue has collaborated with various youth and change-making organizations, using his talents to educate, mentor and contribute to the development and improvement of surrounding communities.

Check out more of Josue’s work at @corintogallery.