If you walk through Town Center at Disney Springs and visit the Disney Springs Art Walk: A Canvas of Expression, I hope you will be drawn to the beautiful artwork that fills the walls with color, emotion and spirit. Just added to the collection is the work of Orlando’s Everett Spruill, a Black artist whose mural celebrates the freedom of expression and provides a vibrant way for guests to join Walt Disney World Resort in acknowledging Black Music Month and Juneteenth.
Everett’s piece at the Art Walk documents the history of jazz and blues, which is a common theme among his many creations. “I hope to give the viewer a concise view of the African experience as expressed through my own perspective and visual aesthetic,” said Everett.
Just as we recognize and honor the power of storytelling through art here at Walt Disney World Resort, we also know how important it is to continue investing in and inspiring our future storytellers. Recently, we welcomed students from Orlando’s After-School All-Stars Drawing Club to Disney Springs for an inside look at the Art Walk and an opportunity to meet with Everett.
While Everett’s art is the latest work to join the space, his mural joins the work of fellow Black artist and former Walt Disney Imagineer Laci Jordan who is a Los Angeles designer, illustrator, and creative director. Laci generates authentic portrayals of culture under the guiding theme of “Everyday Life,” with subjects ranging from women of color to her favorite sneakers. The Art Walk also features murals from Chad Mize, Stacey Aoyama and Eric Tan. Throughout the year, guests can view a variety of different works of art as new pieces and artists are added to the collection.
Diverse murals are just one of the ways Walt Disney World Resort continues to Celebrate Soulfully with experiences and offerings that honor and pay tribute to Black heritage and culture through music, food, art and more. If you are looking for ways to Celebrate Soulfully at Walt Disney World Resort, check out the offerings below.
ART
Since its debut last year, “The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure” exhibit in The American Adventure at EPCOT has showcased the rich and dynamic evolution of jazz. The exhibit has traveled to museums across the country and this month it will include new and refreshed elements, such as a player programmed piano.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, you can meet talented African artisans at Mombasa Marketplace and even take home some of their unique designs.
MUSIC
Guests can enjoy Black Music Month at Scat Cat’s Club at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter. The lounge offers snazzy jazz groups on select nights for you and friends to dance the night away. You will also find live performances of Motown favorites, jazz, R&B and pop hits during Motown Mondays at Disney Springs on Monday nights.
Also at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is Festival of the Lion King, a Broadway-style show filled with pageantry puppetry and classic songs from Disney’s “The Lion King.”
FEED YOUR SOUL
Guests can continue to discover soulful eats across the Walt Disney World Resort where various soul food dishes, beverages and ingredients – and the talented cast members who create and inspire them – will be featured. Check back later this month as Cooking With Soul begins to highlight summer foods, such as BBQ, across the Walt Disney World Resort. Stay on the lookout for special appearances happening on property as we explore various meat cooking styles inspired by techniques tied to African culture, plus experience a few twists on Southern-inspired comfort foods and desserts.
And you can always visit Local Green Orlando, the first black-owned food truck and permanent plant-based food location at Disney Springs.
ENTERTAINMENT
Guests can meet Princess Tiana, Disney’s first Black princess, in Princess Fairytale Hall at Magic Kingdom Park or wave to her during the “Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade.” Princess Tiana and her friends can also be seen daily performing in the “Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire” stage show at Cinderella Castle.
Visit Disneyworld.com and Disneyland.com for more details. Both theme park tickets and park reservations are required for park entry. Park reservations are limited and subject to availability. Offers and experiences are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed.
