Topaz Toddlers Exhibition: Children’s Art from an American Concentration Camp

This exhibit showcases the art, stories, and history of preschoolers incarcerated at Utah’s WWII Japanese American incarceration camp, Topaz. Despite unjust imprisonment, these toddlers experienced preschool life much like other American children, taught by dedicated Japanese American teachers. More than 70 years later, a collection of art created by the preschoolers resurfaced. Over 20 of the Topaz preschoolers—who are now elders in their 80s—have been interviewed and reunited with their art pieces. The exhibition was researched, interpreted, and designed in collaboration with current college students and an early childhood education scholar, working alongside community members to share new perspectives and analysis.

The panel discussion will include speakers who discuss the preschoolers’ artwork and the project that located nearly 30 of them, as well as background on preschool education at Topaz, analysis of the artwork from an early childhood education research perspective, and reflections and reactions from some of the “toddler” artists. 

The exhibition and panel discussion are sponsored by The Topaz Museum, The Takahashi Foundation, The Anthropological Studies Center at Sonoma State University, and The Koret Foundation.