As Steven reminded us earlier today, it’s almost time for the Festival of the Masters presented by Michaels. And if you’re joining us this weekend, you’ll recognize some familiar faces from the Disney Parks Blog. Your favorite Disney artists like Will Gay, Don “Ducky” Williams and Joe Kaminski will be making appearances and showing their work, along with 150 other award winners from across the country.

The Disney Artist Village tent at Downtown Disney will feature art created by masters from various Disney disciplines, including Walt Disney Imagineering. And this year, you’ve got to stop by and see artist Dave Avanzino at the Art of Disney. Dave creates art pieces using prop-like elements and fonts based on signs and attractions found around our theme parks.

Take a look at when you can meet with Disney artists:

Tent near Orlando Harley Davidson

Tent on Pleasure Island

Tent on Pleasure Island

Art of Disney: Marketplace

Please note that artists are subject to change without notice.

Also, for the first time at the Festival, there will be an Emerging Masters area, where more than 30 juried up-and-coming artists will showcase works and compete for awards.

So, here’s what else you need to know before heading out:

• Event takes place from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday; 10 – 5 p.m. on Sunday.
• Admission and self-parking are complimentary at Downtown Disney.
• Live entertainment will be provided by La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil.
• Live music at House of Blues, Bongos Cuban Café and Raglan Road.
• Renowned Irish artist Graham Knuttel will be at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant.
• Disney artists will appear at Art of Disney, Disney Artist Village tent.
• 8-foot tall LEGO Hulk figure will be built during event.

Tagged: Downtown Disney, Festival of the Masters, WDW

Filed: Downtown Disney, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

I’m looking forward to the return of the Festival of the Masters presented by Michaels event at Downtown Disney. This open-air art festival has been offered at Walt Disney World Resort since 1975. Being a photographer by hobby, I love being inspired by wandering through the beautiful displays by amazing, award-winning artists. I caught up with the Disney Theme Park Merchandise events team, who gave me a look at what you can expect this year.

The main signature art was created by the talented Disney Yellow Shoes Creative Group artist Joe Kaminski. Titled “Patriotic Pal,” the vibrant image features Mickey Mouse in festive red, white and blue. The original image will be offered along with a giclée, deluxe print and a limited edition pin.

Joe is just one of the many artists we are featuring at this event. We will also offer original works by Noah (who recently created the main artwork for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival), Don “Ducky” Williams, Katie Kelly, Bil Shannon, Greg Trombo, Will Gay, Randy Noble and more. One of my favorite pieces features a stunning image of Dumbo by Disney Design Group artist Darren Wilson. (It reminds me of the Storybook Circus area of New Fantasyland.) Darren wanted the image to resemble a vintage poster that would have advertised Dumbo appearing in a small-town circus.

There will be plenty of opportunities to meet artists at the Disney Artist Village starting each day at 10:00 a.m. Additionally, William Silvers will be creating original works in front of attendees at select times throughout the weekend (his art will be for sale following his performances).

In 2008, Vinylmation was introduced to the world at this annual event. We will be offering a variety of custom one-of-a-kind figures from artists like Noah, Miss Mindy (the Caterpillar figure is incredible!), John Henselmeier, Darren Wilson and others.

We will also hold a signing party at D Street with Eric Caszatt from Disney Design Group, who designed the Classic Collection mystery series. This black-and-white series was inspired by classic Disney animated shorts and follows Eric’s Have-A-Laugh series released in 2010. You can meet Eric from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 9.

I hope to see you at the event!


Read more news from Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort in these posts:

• Phineas and Ferb & YOU: Free Fun at Downtown Disney West Side at Walt Disney World Resort Now Through December 1
• Living Statues Bring Guests Into the Show at Downtown Disney in Florida
• A Refreshing Spin on Alley Eats at Downtown Disney

Tagged: Downtown Disney, Festival of the Masters, Vinylmation, WDW

Filed: Downtown Disney, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

Hi everyone. This year’s Festival of the Masters presented by Michaels is coming up soon and a lot of Disney artists (including myself) have been working for months behind the scenes to prepare the pieces that we’ll showcase at this year’s event.

Here’s a wallpaper of one of my works that you’ll see at this year’s Festival of the Masters (Nov. 9-11 at Downtown Disney). It will be a small edition of hand-pulled silk screens on heavy paper stock. The design, called “Love the Festival”, is inspired by the simple notion that some things just go great together.

Hope to see you out there!

Be sure to check out the terms of use about using the wallpaper before you download it.

Looking forward to this year’s Festival of the Masters? Take a look back at last year’s event in the posts below:

• Festival of the Masters Begins at Downtown Disney
• Behind the Scenes: Creating This Year’s Festival of the Masters Commemorative Plate
• Festival of Our Disney Masters at Downtown Disney

Tagged: Art of Disney, Downtown Disney, Festival of the Masters, WDW

Filed: Art of Disney, Downtown Disney, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

Earlier today we kicked off the 36th Festival of the Masters show at Downtown Disney. It’s the only event I know of where you can chat with amazing Disney artists like Will Gay, Don “Ducky” Williams and Joe Kaminski and then walk a few feet and meet some of the finest artists from around the country. This morning started at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant with the unveiling of a special piece of art.

The Festival of the Masters show runs through Sunday. Here are this year’s show hours:

• Friday – 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Saturday – 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Sunday – 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tagged: Downtown Disney, Festival of the Masters, Video, WDW

Filed: Downtown Disney, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

What better way to start a weekend than a visit to Downtown Disney for the kick off of the Festival of the Masters show. I’m already here at the Festival this morning and art lovers are in for a treat this year.

If you’re joining us this weekend, you’ll have the opportunity to win an amazing, one-of-a-kind Festival of the Masters commemorative glass plate. It’s a piece of art that’s created when small particles of sand hit the plate glass at high speeds. And today we’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how it’s done.

Tom Arribas and his Arribas Brothers artists have been creating the plate for many years as a giveaway to one lucky guest during the Festival of the Masters show. The designs are always different and this year’s artwork is impressive. Be sure and stop by the Arribas Bros. shop at Downtown Disney during the show and see for yourself.

Tagged: BtS, Downtown Disney, Festival of the Masters, Video, WDW

Filed: Behind the Scenes, Downtown Disney, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

For the past 36 years, Festival of the Masters has been a time to showcase talented artists from across the U.S.A. all in one magical place. This year, in addition to the award winning artists that will be featured throughout Downtown Disney during the event, we’re also hosting Festival of the Masters largest gathering ever of brilliant Disney Artists from Disney Parks and beyond.

I spoke with Misty Carroll, Merchandise Event Specialist, who worked tirelessly to bring together this year’s collection of Disney Artists at Festival of the Masters. “Every year, we challenge ourselves to see how we can make each Festival of the Masters bigger and better than the year before.” said Misty. “This year we came up with the idea to host the largest collection of Disney Artists to ever appear at Festival of the Masters.” explained Misty. “Of course our artists are so enthusiastic about meeting Disney Fans that every artist that we invited to participate jumped at the opportunity. We’re excited to give our guests the experience to meet so many Disney artists in one place while enjoying the festivities and fun that Festival of the Masters has to offer,” said Misty.

Between Yellow Shoes Creative Group, Disney Design Group and multiple renowned Disney artists such as Noah and Katie Kelly, there will be more than 15 artists appearing throughout the entire weekend. In addition to the appearances by this gifted group, many of the artists have created artwork that will make its debut during Festival of the Masters giving guests a look at brand new artwork that has never been seen before in Disney Galleries.

Earlier this week, Disney Parks Blog reader Daniel asked if there was going to be a published list of the Disney Artists participating in the event. Yes, Daniel, there certainly is and I’ll do one better and provide a list of the times and locations that each artist will be signing! With so many artists and so many appearance times, I’ve put together a schedule of all of our Disney Artist’s appearances to help you navigate through Festival of the Masters.

With so many Disney Artists appearing at this year’s Festival of the Masters, I’m trying to decide who to get in line for first… Noah? Don “Ducky” Williams? Darren Wilson? Which of the Disney Artists are you most excited to see at Festival of the Masters?

Tagged: Downtown Disney, Festival of the Masters, WDW

Filed: Art of Disney, Downtown Disney, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

During the last few weeks, we’ve shared sneak peeks of this year’s Festival of the Masters artwork and even some spiffy wallpapers featuring Joe Kaminski’s signature art. Well, tomorrow the event begins and we’re kicking things off at the Raglan Road with the unveiling of a piece of work that’ll hang permanently inside the Irish pub and restaurant.

Famous Irish artist Graham Knuttel, who’s known for his bold, bright canvases of stylized figures, is in town for the Festival of the Masters Art show and he has created the new painting especially for Raglan Road. The piece shows a lively pub scene with more than two dozen figures, including a child wearing Mickey Mouse ears.

Beginning tomorrow at 10 a.m., you can stop by Raglan Road to see Graham’s painting and some of the other pieces from his collection he’s brought along from Dublin. Stop by and meet Graham this weekend and then check out the fine artists at the festival.

Tagged: Downtown Disney, Festival of the Masters, WDW

Filed: Downtown Disney, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort