THE TOPAZ TODDLERS ART PROJECT

Welcome to the Topaz Toddler Art Exhibit!

This online exhibit showcases the art, stories, and history of the young preschoolers who were incarcerated at Utah’s WWII Japanese American incarceration camp, Topaz. Despite the challenging circumstances of their unjust imprisonment, these toddlers experienced preschool life much like any other American child of the time. Taught by dedicated and compassionate Japanese American teachers, these young children napped, snacked, played, created art, learned, and grew in the safety of their preschool environment.  

 

More than 70 years after Topaz closed, a collection of art pieces created by these Topaz preschoolers was discovered among the treasured items of the Topaz Preschool Director, Tomiko Sasaki. With Tomiko no longer here to provide insights, we decided to find as many of these toddlers, now in their late 70s and early 80s, as possible. We sought to uncover their memories of preschool life, hear their family stories, and capture their reactions upon rediscovering their childhood masterpieces.

 

Through this online exhibit we offer a glimpse into the world behind barbed wire as expressed in crayon, paint, collage, and chalk by these young artists. Juxtaposed with current perspectives and reflections from those same toddlers today, this exhibit lets us consider the lasting effects of incarceration on children, while also appreciating the challenges and sacrifices made by teachers and parents, who worked to create safe and enriching environments for their Topaz toddlers.