This morning, members of the press, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), the Podesta Group, the Boeing Corporation and friends of the Smithsonian gathered in the National Portrait Gallery‘s Kogod Courtyard for the unveiling of Shepard Fairey’s iconic Obama Hope portrait. The courtyard was abuzz with the well-dressed (oddly more gala than press conference), and photographers scrambled to get a piece of the suddenly-ubiquitous Fairey.

Fairey spoke briefly, stating that he made “this illustration with our children’s future in mind…I did it for my kids.” Elaborating on his intentions, he stated that “mainstream politics are something I had lost faith in,” and appropriately enough, “Obama restored my hope.”

Before the unveiling, a handful of bigwigs spoke not only about the image to be unveiled, but about the Inauguration and what it means for America. Dr. Elsie Scott, President and CEO of the CBCF noted that she was delighted to “kick off inaugural week — we know it’s going to be a wonderful time for Washington.” Admitting an unfamiliarity with Fairey’s previous work, she stated, “we didn’t know who he was but we knew that portrait captured something. The portrait is about hope which is what Obama is about…bringing us all together across race lines, gender lines, ethnic lines.”

Another representative of the CBCF echoed Scott’s remarks: “This election was unlike any other election in the history of the United States of America. We are proud that one of our members has the opportunity to be the leader of the free world.” He noted the significance of Fairey’s portrait, stating “as we celebrate, this portrait will hang here in this great gallery for many generations to inspire.”

Boeing CFO and Chicago resident James Bell noted that Fairey’s portrait has a special meaning for Chicagoans, who were greeted with his portrait on buildings across the city after the election. He claimed the image “reminded all of us that it was no longer a dream.”

The uber-popular mixed media piece was donated to the NPG by Tony and Heather Podesta, and is now on display in the New Arrivals section of the Gallery. If you’re heading over to the NPG, you may also want to swing by to check out the Bush 43 official portrait, which was unveiled slightly before the New Year (of course, not without some controversy, as our own Kriston Capps noted).