The newest rotating exhibit at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum features the return of ArtOasis, a talented group of local artists using poetry and literature to inspire their work.

Opening to the public on Saturday, April 2, 2022 – May 28, 2022 at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, is our latest rotating exhibit Of Poems and Pieces: Haiku Art to Open Your Heart. Put together entirely by local artist group, ArtOasis, this exhibit will showcase a variety of artistic mediums, both 2D and 3D, inspired by the simple, but beautiful Japanese poetry form, haiku.

Haiku is a type of short-form Japanese poetry consisting of three phrases or lines, with a syllable pattern of 5 – 7 – 5. Traditionally, haiku focuses on the beauty of nature and often contains references to specific seasons or times of year. Modern haiku is written in many languages and has expanded the topics to cover many diverse experiences. Enjoy a contemplative walk through this gallery exhibition that will make you think about how you see the world around you.

Meet the artists themselves, Susan Strawbridge, Joi Sampsell, Brenda Spilios, Joy Livingston, Chris Randle, Jeanneine Cole, Ann Covington, Jim Davis, and Michele Wirt, at a special opening reception to be held on Saturday, April 2 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the museum. The reception is free, open to the public, and light refreshments will be served.

artOasis and the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum will also hold a special family activity for the museum’s new Kid’s Corner and Crafternoon program on Saturday, May 7, 2022, from 1:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m. These amazing local artists, many of them art educators, will lead children in a poetry-writing activity and then create paper lilies. Kids can make a single flower for someone special or create a whole spring bouquet! Materials will be provided. Please pre-register for this free program online at www.cccourthouse.org or by calling the museum at 352-341-6428.