Pastimes: Artwork

Arts and craft clubs provided opportunities to share knowledge and culture.  Artists gave lessons in painting and sketching, and provided their own equipment and supplies. Many had been successful artists before they were sent to Manzanar. The classes allowed internees to pass the time while creating beauty in the bleak camp.

Before he was sent to Manzanar, Charles Isamu Morimoto was a well-known commercial artist in Los Angeles. Through pencil drawing, pen and ink sketches and watercolor paintings he documented life in the camp. Scenes ranged from the camouflage net factory to the baseball fields. Morimoto also sought to capture the power of the Sierra Nevada Mountains rising dramatically to the west of camp. By teaching his craft at Manzanar, Mr. Morimoto inspired young and old artists alike.

Many become reknowned artists after leaving Manzanar.