English Language Learners make tremendous Guerilla Haikuists!
A group of courageous design students, all english language learners at the New School this summer, joined me in a morning of haiku adventures all about the Union Square/Washington Square neighborhood. As I informed them of their mission, to approach New Yorkers on the street and get them to write haiku with them, the faces of this international crowd- from Asia, to the Carribbean, to the Middle East, to Europe, collectively blanched. “Using english, to get strangers to write with us?!?” they were thinking…”how is THIS going to work.” Two hours later they...
Read MoreGuerilla Tales: Atlanta
The teeming crowds exited the Midtown Arts Center en masse. One small band of Haiku Agents was awaiting them. In his best booming voice Agent Haddon (formerly a Boston tour guide) announced, “Step right up, Ladies and Gentlemen (…are you sure it wasn’t Coney Island that you learned these skills, Agent Haddon…?) “Participate in a new Public Art experience directly from NEW YORK CITY!” “New York City?!?” the crowd was curious…and found itself herded in the direction of our Agents and their chalk… “What am I...
Read MoreGuerilla Tales: New York Inaugural Event
At our very first Haiku event, this team really embraced the spirit of engagement. This is one of my favorite photos from their day of adventures. And, in their words, here are their thoughts on the creation of this captured moment: Jac: This was our first stop on our Haiku adventure, in front of the New York Public library, where we boldy began our journey. I believe Bryan’s hand is showing syllable #5 of Kelly’s creation! He was counting with his fingers… ohh Haiku novices we were! Kelly: I was so involved with writing my Haiku work of art that I had no idea of...
Read MoreGuerilla Tales: Minneapolis
Chalk can make you more courageous than you would be otherwise. It makes you climb ladders, crawl on crowded streets, connect with strangers. And sometimes, such as this magical moment in Minneapolis it can result in conversations that you would never otherwise have: In Loring Park, a large group of men were having a wee of a time Barbeque-ing. Emboldened by their laughter, I approached their leader and asked if they would write some haiku with me. He was unimpressed. But one gentleman was curious; Amir. He had a cast on his foot, and told me that he was waiting to hear if it was to...
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The Haiku Mistress
Actor and educator, Caley Vickerman, discovered haiku in 6th grade and they remain to this day a favorite method of expression; simple, precise and immeasurably powerful. It became her fervent wish to create events that celebrated haiku (and humanity). Thus the Guerilla Haiku Movement was born! …And the Haiku Mistress gratefully continues to celebrate! 
We are the Guerilla Haiku Movement; a cadre of artists, fun-lovers, and fools that use sidewalk chalk and the ancient Japanese poetic tradition of Haiku to tell our stories and the stories of our communities inside of one moment. Check out our events page to join us in a city near you!