South Floridians shows their love of the arts 459 times in the Knight Arts Challenge’s first haiku contest. 17 was the magic number for local actor Alex Fumero, who took top prize ($500) for his 17 syllables. Artist Jim Drain and writer Andres Solar took second and third prizes ($250 and $150), respectively. Five others received a $100 honorable mention. See below for a complete list of winners & their haikus…

First place: Alex Fumero if picasso joined my 305 collective he would have no paint.

Second place: Jim Drain creativity an artist’s greatest asset lights off, hungry mice

Third place: Andres Solar Miami bus stop I wait with my new painting Hours. Then bus splashes.

Honorable Mention: Marlene E. Adams Enthralled child whispers: Five days of classical songs Are stuck in my head.

Honorable Mention: Ellen Berger Night out on the town found  the venue was closed down Two feet from a dance

Honorable Mention: Doris B. Kraus Light on the water Notes singing through the palm fronds Sudden dusk and still

Honorable Mention: Pat Singleton Water quenching thirst…. good food nourishing bodies…. the arts feeding souls.

Margaret Lake very sunny place yet the shade is everywhere shine on in the darkSponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the University of Wynwood, the first iteration of the contest explored the recent debate over arts funding in Miami-Dade county. Poet and FIU professor Campbell McGrath and University of Wynwood director Scott Cunningham judged the contest. To see a complete list of haiku entries click here. For more info about the Knight Arts Challenge click here.