“The winning Haikus will be displayed in the flower beds lining the streets of the Golden Triangle”

From a press release:

“The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District is holding a contest with the Japan Information and Culture Center, which is located in the neighborhood. Writers can submit their original haikus Wed. Nov. 12–Fri., Dec. 12 here.

The winning poetry entries will be displayed in the flower beds lining the streets of the Golden Triangle neighborhood this winter, becoming the first temporary community art project of its kind in the nation’s capital. The neighborhood is comprised of the 43 blocks from the White House to Dupont Circle.

The grand prize winner will have the opportunity to visit the Embassy of Japan’s traditional Japanese tea house, Ippakutei, for a guided tour and tea.

The Haikus will be judged by an expert panel. The panel includes Abigail Friedman, author, I Wait for the Moon and The Haiku Apprentice; Roberta Beary, author, The Unworn Necklace and Deflection; and Kristen Deming, past President of Haiku Society of America. They will review all submissions and select the golden haikus that will warm the winter landscape.

“During the warmer months, the tree boxes are filled with brightly colored flowers, but during January and February, some of that color is gone from the landscape,” says Leona Agouridis, executive director, Golden Triangle BID. “We hope that the haikus will bring some of spring’s warmth, color and artistry to our streets in the coldest of months.”

Matthew Levitas, JICC Cultural Affairs Coordinator, also believes the art project will have a meaningful impact on the community. Levitas describes haiku as “a deep, rich art form that expresses the kind of serene connection with the world around us that can reach any reader.” He says, “We hope that, when you see the poems in the flower boxes this winter, the power of Japanese poetry moves you.”

The Golden Haiku is the first of its kind in the neighborhood, but the Golden Triangle BID has various public art projects that add a vibrant energy to the business driven neighborhood.

The BID has created sidewalk chalk art, installed artistic bike racks, and encouraged the community to participate in Painting in the Park as a part of Picnic in the Park series.

The Golden Triangle’s landscaping program includes the landscaping contest Golden Streets, development of urban rain gardens at 19th and L Street, and the seasonally decorated Connecticut Avenue median.”