The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival’s online Haiku Invitational has attracted poets from over 40 countries around the world composing some 16,000 haiku since its start in 2006. Submissions are judged by a committee of acclaimed haiku poets awarding poems in six categories: Best Vancouver, B.C., Canada, USA, International, and Best Youth as well as Sakura Awards and Honourable Mentions. We are proud to celebrate the 2021 winning haiku with this unique Haiku Exhibition with commissioned pieces by Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh artists.
The Festival welcomes poets of all ages to try their hand at haiku this Spring! Submit your entry to the highly respected international Haiku Invitational which runs every year from March 1 to June 1 and has grown to be at the heart of our annual cherry blossom celebration.
Artist Bios
XWALACKTUN (Rick Harry) is a Squamish Nation artist accomplished in wood, paper, stone, glass, and metals and an Order of British Columbia recipient whose works are highly respected and admired internationally and throughout Metro Vancouver. Giving positive energy and seeing it reflected back continues to feed his spirit of perpetually giving back to others.
OCEAN HYLAND: Hyland is an artist, activist, and member of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation who works in the realms of painting and digital design. Along with her other practices from carving, engraving, poetry, weaving, and gathering/harvesting plants and materials she enjoys participating in the language revitalization of Coast Salish languages. The richness and diversity of her cultural heritage are what inspire Ocean in her many art practices.
ERVA SPARROW: Erva-Jean Sparrow is an emerging Musqueam artist. From a young age she treasured every moment to create memories through art projects of her very own and for her children. She’s always had a love of art seeded by her mother, and the love of animals and birds from accompanying her dad hunting and fishing inspires her imagination. Crystal Sparrow has been a great mentor to her and Erve received three scholarships from the Emily Carr First Nations program for youth which opened her eyes to all other mediums of art. Seeing and feeling the colours make her heart sing.
