Some of the world’s best artists are heading here for our Festival of the Masters show at Downtown Disney this weekend but only one of them will leave with an amazing hand-crafted glass “Best of Show” award.
The Arribas Bros. artist behind this year’s art award is David Sandidge and he’s been working with glass since he was 15 years old. To create the Festival of the Masters award, David heats glass rods to 3,000 degrees until it’s soft enough to sculpt into a detailed face of Mickey Mouse. Take a look at how it’s done.
As David says, “They all deserve it but only one (artist) will get it.” Join us in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort this weekend and find out who is awarded “Best of Show.”
There’s an old saying that says, “you should learn something new every day.” One of the things I adore most about my role with Disney Theme Park Merchandise is that I am constantly learning something new on a daily basis. For instance, I recently I discovered that Festival of the Masters is the longest running signature event held annually at the Walt Disney World Resort. Introduced in 1975, Festival of the Masters is celebrating its 36th year of welcoming award winning artists and showcasing stunning fine art, photography, sculpture, jewelry and more. Throughout its 36 years, Festival of the Masters is constantly raising the bar and introducing new and exciting artists and entertainment for guests – and you can be sure that this year is no exception.
For the very first time, Festival of the Masters is partnering with Michaels Stores to bring an extra layer of fun, excitement, and interaction to Guests of all ages that attend the three day event, Nov. 11–13 at Downtown Disney. Throughout the event, Michaels will have Make-it Take-it booths set up at Downtown Disney Marketplace and West Side. Guests will have the opportunity to create Friendship Bracelets and Mickey Ear Hat Wood Frames with the help of Michaels Design experts. The Make-it Take-it booths not only offer cool keepsakes, but it will inspire you to find your inner artist and express yourself to create a one-of-a-kind creation that is all your own.
Additionally, several members of the Michaels Design Team will be appearing on the Waterside Stage in Downtown Disney Marketplace presenting tips and tricks, how to’s and much, much more!
We caught up with Jo from Michaels Design Team to see how she would use her creative expression to create a one-of-a-kind Vinylmation using a Create Your Own Vinylmation figure from D Street…. Take a peek to see her colorful creating – love the bling, Jo!
If you’re interested in learning even more, check out DisneyWorld.com/art. It’s the official homepage for Festival of the Masters and loaded with great information about what you can expect to experience at this year’s event! Want to learn even more great information? Follow us on Twitter @WaltDisneyWorld and use the hash tag #FOTM.
I love hearing about the creative process, especially with projects that make people smile. Will Gay, creative director at Disney’s Yellow Shoes Creative Group, has created a one-of-a-kind hand painted Vinylmation called, “Mickey’s Ice Cream Dream” for this year’s Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney. And he created it specifically to surprise and delight as you’ll see in this sneak peek for Disney Parks Blog readers.
Will’s inspiration for the Vinylmation piece is a large painting he’s working on for this year’s Festival of the Masters show called, “Mickey in the Land of Sweets.” I’ll be out there this weekend checking it out along with the other art and I hope you will too.
The Festival of the Masters show at Downtown Disney kicks off Nov. 11 and runs through the weekend. You can meet more than 150 award-winning artists showcasing their paintings, jewelry, sculptures, photos and creations of clay, wood and metals.
See the posts below for a look back at last year’s Festival of the Masters at Walt Disney World Resort:
Next week, all of us art lovers are in for a treat. One of the largest-ever groups of Disney artists will be featured at the 36th Festival of the Masters fine arts show at Downtown Disney – and yes, it’s a first for the event. You’ll be able to see artwork like the event’s three signature pieces created by our Disney Parks Blog friend Joe Kaminski of the Yellow Shoes Creative Group.
Joe’s Mickey, Minnie and Pluto are not only sneak peeks of what’s to come but they’re also the latest editions to our Disney Parks Blog desktop wallpaper series. Click on the images above for a list of resolutions that fit your desktop, iPad or smart phone. Be sure to check out the terms of use about using the wallpaper before you download it. The Festival of the Masters runs from November 11-13. There is no charge for admission or parking at the event. Oh, and make sure you check the new 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.
When people work together, remarkable things can happen – things like a giant LEGO Buzz Lightyear and Woody mural.
Guests in the Downtown Disney area at Walt Disney World were given one 6-inch square with a color pattern printed on it to place on the mural during the last Festival of the Masters event. More than 1,000 squares were combined to make the finished product and the process was videotaped. Here’s three days of work — and creativity — in 30 seconds. Enjoy.
Uncovering the “magic” behind the “magic” is one of our goals at the Disney Parks Blog. And our series of behind-the-scenes posts continues with the Yellow Shoes Creative Group and Joe Kaminski.
Joe’s painting “1928 – It All Started With A Mouse” is the signature marketing art for this year’s Festival of the Masters. It’ll be hard to miss next week when the event begins in the Downtown Disney area at Walt Disney World Resort. But we have an early peek of Joe’s work and other unique pieces.
What’s remarkable is that Joe is a copywriter who has never taken an art class — his passion is painting. During our first meeting, he said his inspiration for the heel-clicking Mickey image and other works of art usually happens after-hours in his home’s garage.
“It’s probably 2 a.m. and I paint until 4 a.m., and the one thing that’s in the back of my mind isn’t necessarily what are people going to think. Something inside of me just drives me to do it. You just got to go with your gut and follow your dreams. If you have a passion for something, I think you have to go after it — definitely.”
Joe said whenever he paints a Disney character, people immediately identify with the work — and it gets a reaction “no matter what.” You can see for yourself at The 34th Annual Festival of the Masters event located throughout the Downtown Disney area. The Festival features art from more than 145 of the country’s top artists, including work from chalk and folk artists and other entertainment. And if you like any of the pieces, some of them will be on sale until the event ends on November 15.
Also, you should know that to qualify for the Festival, artists must have earned a primary award in a juried art festival within the last four years with digital submissions of their work to be considered for exhibition. The process ensures that Festival visitors are treated to one of the finest displays of art in the nation. Are you going?
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