Elkhart — A new exhibit at the Midwest Museum of American Art aims to capture a sense of childlike wonder through a collection of pieces featuring children and childhood themes.

The exhibit, titled “Images of Children in Art,” includes 77 pieces, about 85 percent of which have never been displayed in the museum, said Brian Byrn, curator of exhibitions and education.

Among the pieces in the exhibit are several examples from the museum’s collection of Norman Rockwell lithographs.

“We are known nationally for our Norman Rockwell collection, and he had quite the affinity for children,” Byrn said.

Local photographer Irma Hazelwood also has a prominent place in the exhibit.

“Her work resembles Rockwell but in black-and-white photography,” Byrn said. “She lived here in Elkhart but went virtually unnoticed by local people, except for perhaps the neighbor kids who were featured in her nationally award-winning photography.”

Throughout the exhibit, toys evoke childhood memories.

“We have a collection of vintage and antique toys to flavor the show,” Byrn said. “There is a fully restored 1953 mechanical rideable Roy Rogers’ horse, Trigger. It would sit outside of a store and you could put at silver dime in it and kids could ride down the happy trail.”

The horse, unfortunately, is no longer offering rides.

“This is a museum after all!” Byrn said.

“Images of Children in Art” will run through Feb. 25.

The Midwest Museum of American Art is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for senior citizens, and $2 for children age 5 and older and college students.

For more information visit www.midwestmuseum.us.