The Haiku Newton project debuted in spring 2022, bringing poems on lawn-style signs to various locations in the Garden City. Passersby were surprised and delighted to encounter the haikus in parks or along busy sidewalks.
As word spread on social media about the project, people came from around Greater Boston to see the signs for themselves. Others viewed the poems via short online video tours that were created by project co-director Grey Held (pictured, first photo in carousel at right).
Thanks to grants from Newton Community Pride, the Newton Cultural Council, and Mass Cultural Council, which also supported the project last year, Grey and co-director Elizabeth Lund were thrilled to announce the submission period for Haiku Newton 2023 in February. They were also pleased to welcome Greg Fulchino as a co-director (second photo in carousel).
Poets from various states and two foreign countries submitted work. A panel of judges selected 24 winning poems, which were printed on display panels and attached to sign frames.
The 2023 signs were installed in front of the Newton Free Library, at 330 Homer Street and in front of the First Baptist Church in Newton, at 848 Beacon Street. The poems were displayed at those sites until late May.
The signs were then moved to three locations: the Depot Coffee Shoppe in Newton Upper Falls (third photo in carousel), the Boys & Girls Club, located at 675 Watertown Street, Newtonville, and Grey's front lawn on Watertown Street.
If you can't come to Newton, you can enjoy two video tours of the library installation, created by Grey Held. Each video features 12 poems, so viewers can see both sides of the signs. One tour heads
toward the library's parking lot; the other heads
toward Walnut Street.Check back soon for more details or
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