Children's Art Exchange

In August of 1988 40 pieces or artwork and two quilts by Seattle children from Blaine Elementary School were exhibited at the Pacific Art Center and later exhibited in the Children’s Art Museum in Tashkent. This was the first of many art exchanges between the Soviets and Americans but this one was quite special, it was the first Seattle-Tashkent Children's Art Exchange. This exchange brought in a theme of innocence and the use of children into the world of peace activism. During this time, we had many activist and peace activism groups such as the sister city relationship groups, Seattle Peace Chorus and many more. Much like Samantha Smith who grew concern over the what was happening in the Cold War many children were involved in creating relationships between other children from Seattle and Tashkent. The theme of innocence was brought into peace activism an idea that our innocent children are getting involved and growing concern over matters they shouldn’t have to worry or think about was troubling. This added to an already fueled goal to bring peace that became larger and more important.