Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum to host Haiga: The Art of Haiku exhibition

The Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum announced the opening of "Haiga: The Art of Haiku," a special exhibition that explores the Japanese tradition of blending poetry and visual art. The exhibit will be on display Tuesday, Oct. 7 until Wednesday, Dec. 31 and will showcase a range of works that celebrate the harmony between word and image.

Haiga is a Japanese art form that unites haiku poetry with visual imagery into a single contemplative work. Traditionally, artists would compose a haiku — a short poem capturing a fleeting moment in nature or everyday life — and inscribe it directly onto a painting, brush drawing or calligraphic work.

The imagery does not merely illustrate the words; it interacts with them, either through complement or contrast, to deepen meaning and encourage reflection. The essence of haiga lies in simplicity, subtlety and harmony, inviting viewers to engage with the layered dialogue between poem and image.

While haiga has roots in traditional Japanese ink painting, its influence continues to resonate today in new forms. Contemporary artists now incorporate photography, digital art and other media into their haiga.

The artists featured in "Haiga: The Art of Haiku" are A.D. Adams, Fairlawn; Pamela A Babusci, Rochester, New York; Nancy Brady, Huron; Abigail Callis, Coshocton; Anthony Corraro, Lawrence, Kansas; Kari Davidson, Delaware; Janet Debray, Zanesville; Mary Ellen Daugherty, Coshocton; Megan Daugherty, Coshocton; Odile Endres, Heidelberg, Germany; Amanda Gress, Warsaw; Jennifer Hambrick, Worthington; Susan Mallernee, Dover; Darlene O’Dell; Asheville, North Carolina; April Pameticky, Wichita, Kansas; Amanda Pfister, Westminster, Colorado; Holli Rainwater, Fresno; Kala Ramesh, Chennai, India; Valentina Ranaldi-Adams, Fairlawn; Susan Lee Roberts, Montesano, Washington; Julie Schwerin, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin; Christine Sycks, Warsaw; Carolyn Van Lang, Piedmont, California; Robin White, Cochran, Georgia; and Xine Watson, Richmond, Virginia.

Alongside the haiga works, the exhibit will feature "The Midwest Haiku Traveling Rock Garden," curated by haiku poet Matthew Markworth. This literary exhibit celebrates English-language haiku and brings together poets from across the region. Each year it focuses on a new theme and is displayed in different venues throughout the Midwest. To learn more about "The Midwest Haiku Traveling Rock Garden," visit www.haikurockgarden.com.

"Haiga: The Art of Haiku" is made possible through the support of The Wooly Pig Farm Brewery and The Ohio Arts Council with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

The Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum is located in Historic Roscoe Village at 300 N. Whitewoman St. in Coshocton. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., and all Sundays are free admission to Coshocton County residents.