Arlington Heights Community Haiku Celebration

If you’ve been to Arlington Heights lately, you may have noticed that poems are popping up in storefront windows all along Massachusetts Avenue. Join us on Wednesday, July 14, 6:30 – 8pm (rain date Thursday, July 15, in case of heavy rain) for a community celebration featuring an open mic, live music, and a storefront stroll with some special opportunities to shop local; plan to stay for dinner or get a takeout picnic at one of the great eateries of this distinctive neighborhood.

With installation ongoing throughout July, 50 original haiku will be on view!  The poems are being painted by 18 volunteer artists working with coaching from legendary sign painter Kenji Nakayama.  A jury selected poems from almost 200 entered; the poets — ranging in age from 7 to 92 — drew inspiration from the streets and shops, green spaces and local history, people and community spirit of the Heights. Local poet and teacher Jessie Brown led 4 well-attended haiku workshops, and Arlington\’s poet laureate Steven Ratiner worked with his Beehive Poets group to put together a special collection of haiku.

Organized by Arlington Commission for Arts & Culture Public Art Curator Cecily Miller with Janet O’Riordan, Jessie Brown, Rob Davison, Julie Horvath, Emily Patel and Sarah Short. Thanks to the Grants Committee of Arlington Commission for Arts & Culture and the Mass Cultural Council for funding, event sponsors Century 21 Realty and Roasted Granola, and the many local businesses who made contributions and are generously hosting poems in their windows.