St. Johns Cultural Council, which promotes arts, culture and heritage, has announced its Fourth Annual Haiku Contest.
Local poets of all ages are invited to submit up to three haiku inspired by William Bartram’s travels in St. Johns County through the online application portal at https://form.jotform.com/230044722386048.
Applications must be submitted on or before March 1 and the following guidelines apply.
Applicants must be residents of St. Johns County. Each may submit up to three haiku, and the theme of this year’s contest is the “250th Anniversary of William Bartram’s Travels in St. Johns County.”
Haiku need not mention the words “William Bartram,” “St. Johns County” or “Florida.” However, the work should be inspired by the natural landscapes, flora, fauna, and ecology of St. Johns County. Although haiku are not usually titled, submissions must provide titles to assist in identifying the work. Additionally, all haiku must be previously unpublished and original.
A selection committee will choose three first place haiku, one each in the following categories with students from 5 to 9 years of age, students from 10 to 12 years of age, students from 13 to 17 years of age and adults from 18 years and older.
Authors of the first place haiku will each receive a $100 prize, and the winning haiku will be published on StJohnsCulture.com, in the organization’s electronic newsletter, and in the AC PAPA Literary Journal. The selection committee will also recognize up to eight honorable mentions (two haiku in each category) that will also be published on the website and in the newsletter. Each author of an honorable mention haiku will receive a $25 gift certificate.
Authors of the winning haiku will be selected and notified no later than March 29 and recognized during St. Augustine PoetFest on April 13. The event will be held at Flagler College, Ringhaver Student Center, 50 Sevilla Street, Virginia Room, second floor.
To learn more about Bartram, go to history.domains.unf.edu/floridahistoryonline/projects-proj-b-p-html/projects-bartram-html and floridamuseum.ufl.edu/naturalists/bartram.
