Interviews

1. Growing up in a Japanese American community

2. Supporting art because it's essential

Byron Glaser

Illustrator and designer

Supporting art because it's essential

I think that for me, art is essential. It’s joy, it’s how…it’s definitely an expression and important for a culture, I think, to see itself. I think that’s what I love about the Japanese culture and I know that I see it in Sandra too, that there’s…her life is very artful and she expresses herself in delightful ways and I think that it reflects the Japanese culture, which incorporates the different subcultures – en, ken, tatami, all those things that have structure and have form and kind of bring art into your daily experience. I think to not support it – like what’s happening today, I think a lot of public schools are cutting art programs and children are kind of being denied that form of expression and I think it’s damaging. I think it’s not healthy and I think that’s why it’s important to support them.

arts culture education identity

Date: January 16, 2006

Location: California, US

Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum

Interviewee Bio

Byron Glaser was born and raised in Southern California with close ties to the Japanese American community. When Glaser and his family moved to Santa Barbara, they joined the Japanese American Congregational Church, becoming the first European Americans members. His father was also an active member of the Japanese American Citizens League.

Glaser attended and graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California where he met fellow student Sandra Higashi. In 1986, they partnered to form Higashi Glaser Design, a graphic design firm in New York. While working on a project for F.A.O. Schwarz's flagship store on 5th Avenue, they thought of the idea to create a line of toys that were not age or gender specific. Zolo Toys has emerged as a groundbreaking and award-winning company in which Glaser and Higashi incorporate a Japanese sensibility to nature and balance. They have also illustrated children’s books for Abrams Publishing, Chronicle Books and Hyperion Books.

In 2006, Glaser and Higashi were awarded the Award of Excellence for their creative contributions to society by the Japanese American National Museum. (November 3, 2006)

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