Tours of The Suitcase Project with Kayla Isomura — Museum of Vancouver

A Powerful Guided Exhibition Experience Exploring Memory, Displacement, and Belonging

Step inside one of Vancouver’s most moving contemporary photography exhibitions with a guided tour of The Suitcase Project, led by acclaimed photographer and curator Kayla Isomura. These special in-person tours take place at the Museum of Vancouver on January 25 and January 31, 2026, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience the exhibition through the artist’s own perspective.

Through behind-the-scenes storytelling and personal insight, Kayla Isomura shares the journey of creating The Suitcase Project — a deeply human exploration of internment, incarceration, identity, memory, and displacement.

Event Overview

Event: Tours of The Suitcase Project with Kayla Isomura
Venue: Museum of Vancouver
Location: 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, BC
Dates:

• Sunday, January 25, 2026

• Saturday, January 31, 2026

Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Admission: Free with museum admission
Meeting Point: Museum front desk

🎟 Tickets: Free with Museum of Vancouver admission
👉 View Event Details & Admission Info

About The Suitcase Project

The Suitcase Project is a powerful photographic storytelling project that explores the lived experiences of people affected by internment and incarceration. Through intimate portraits and personal narratives, the exhibition reflects on how these histories continue to shape identity, memory, and belonging today.

Originally debuting at the Nikkei National Museum in 2018, The Suitcase Project is now on view at the Museum of Vancouver, bringing these important stories to new audiences.

This exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the legacy of displacement in Canada and how its impact continues across generations.

Guided Tour Experience

These special tours are led by the exhibition’s creator, Kayla Isomura, who offers unique insight into:

• The creation of The Suitcase Project
• Working directly with project participants
• Shaping the exhibition narrative
• Exploring the modern relevance of internment and incarceration
• The intersections of identity, memory, and place

This is more than a gallery walkthrough — it’s a deeply personal and educational experience that adds powerful context to the exhibition.

About the Artist & Tour Guide: Kayla Isomura (they/them)

Kayla Isomura is a Vancouver-based photojournalist of Chinese and Japanese descent whose work focuses on identity, memory, displacement, and community.

As a multigenerational settler, Kayla’s storytelling is deeply influenced by their family’s history of displacement. Their work has been featured in major publications including:

• The Globe and Mail
• The Tyee
• Megaphone

Kayla is a graduate of the journalism program at Langara College and completed a diploma in photojournalism at Loyalist College. Their work bridges documentary photography and community storytelling with care, respect, and emotional depth.

Important Visitor Information

• Tours are included with museum admission
• Please meet at the Museum of Vancouver front desk
• Photos and video may be captured during the tour
• If you do not wish to be photographed, please inform the guide

Why You Should Attend

• A rare guided tour led by the exhibition’s creator
• Insight into one of Vancouver’s most powerful photography projects
• An opportunity to engage with stories of internment and displacement
• A meaningful cultural experience in a historic museum setting
• Free with Museum of Vancouver admission

This is a thoughtful, moving, and educational experience for anyone interested in photography, history, social justice, and storytelling.

Venue: Museum of Vancouver

Located in beautiful Vanier Park, the Museum of Vancouver is one of the city’s most important cultural institutions. Overlooking English Bay and the downtown skyline, the museum is easily accessible by transit, bike, and car.

Plan Your Visit

📅 January 25 & January 31, 2026
⏰ 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📍 Museum of Vancouver — 1100 Chestnut Street

🎟 Free with admission
👉 View Event Details