Haiku & Art Installed Throughout Downtown Tulsa
HAIKU & ART INSTALLED THROUGHOUT DOWNTOWN TULSA
TULSA, OKLA. (April 1, 2025) - Poetry and visual art are making their mark across Downtown Tulsa this week with “Curbside Haiku,” a temporary public art project by Downtown Tulsa Partnership (DTP).
Originally launched in 2022, Curbside Haiku activates Downtown's public spaces while showcasing the creativity of Tulsa's artistic community. An open call for submissions resulted in 154 haiku entries from Tulsans of all ages and backgrounds. A panel of local literary enthusiasts, including members from Magic City Books and the Woody Guthrie Center, selected the winning poems.
The 10 winning poets are Brenda Bertrand, Natalie Bowling, Adriana Diaz, Lory Ferguson, Hannah Glenn Fillingim, Tyler Ford, Kevin Gibbs, LaShandra Keel, Sofia Nagda Noshay, and Ellise Verheyen. All winning entries are available at DowntownTulsa.com/Haiku.
DTP also issued an open call for artists, ultimately commissioning Baylee Field to design the haiku art boards. Field’s series, "Built Together," pays tribute to Tulsa's diversity and the hands that have shaped the city, both physically and culturally.
Now installed throughout Downtown, 100 art boards featuring the winning haiku and corresponding artwork can be found in the Deco District along 2nd Street, 5th Street, and Main Street. Other locations include the Arts District, Greenwood, and the East Village, reinforcing the importance of arts and culture in public spaces. The installations will remain in place until mid-May.
For the second consecutive year, the Magic City Book Bash will feature presentations from Curbside Haiku poets. Taking place on Saturday, April 12, from 10 AM to 3 PM, this event celebrates local authors and literary groups. The family-friendly gathering at Magic City Books, located on East Archer Street between North Detroit Avenue and MLK Jr. Boulevard, will also include the Tulsa City-County Library's Bookmobile, a DJ, community partner booths, and more.
While only 10 haikus were selected to print on artboards, there were several worthy of presentation. DTP published a blog with over 30 haiku entries from local Tulsans! Check it out here: https://downtowntulsa.com/post/curbside-haiku-is-here
For more about Downtown Tulsa programs and initiatives, visit DowntownTulsa.com.