A special family‐friendly workshop led by Creative Connections at the “You Are Not Alone” exhibit of the Hammond Museum featured Japanese and American art that was created by students following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami of Japan.

The context was set for the children’s art from Japan by displaying news photos of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Northern Japan in March 2011.

Participants viewed the art pieces created by the fifty 11-12 year old Japanese students living in the area affected by the disaster. From their pieces and their artist descriptions, they learned of the student’s experiences immediately following the earthquake and tsunami. They also “met” the young artists, by viewing their photos and reading about their families, their likes and dislikes, and their hopes for the future.

Workshop participants traveled from painting to painting looking not only for the hardships endured by the Japanese children and their families, but also looking for the ways they pulled together to overcome them.

They also compared the art created for the Japanese children by local American students, discovering the many similarities and sentiments that the children from both countries shared.

Finally, each participant created a simple art piece and/or composed a message of support which will be sent to the young Japanese artists.

“The workshop participants were impressed with the thoughtfulness of both the American and the Japanese partners and the genuine support and gratitude they expressed through their art and their messages to one another.” – Alan Steckler, Workshop leader and President & CEO Creative Connections.

Mr. Stomu Miyazaki, President of the Board of Defectors at the Hammond Museum commented after the workshop, “Thank you very much for your wonderful workshop! The participants enjoyed it so much!”