EPCOT Festival of the Arts Began Today

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

January 8, 2021

 

The sights, sounds and activities of the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts began today (January 8), with opportunities for guests to participate in creative endeavors of their own, as well as observe professional artists at work, chatting with the creators in person.

 

Guests can search for sidewalk chalk art scenes, and maybe even catch the designers themselves in progress as they create the colorful – albeit temporary – art. They can also take part in Figment’s Scavenger Hunt, or try their hand at painting by picking up a brush and collaborating with other park-goers by filling in a few of the squares on the giant paint-by-numbers mural.  Not to be forgotten are the myriad of Festival food booths with the “Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine.”  The Festival Passport allows guests to check off their favorite creative Festival snacks and dishes along the way.

Courtesy of Walt Disney World website

Among the dozens of professional artists slated to be at work around World Showcase are Danny Haas, Kayla and Brent Woodside, and Christian Waggoner at Acme Archives; Sam Carter, Jason Ratner, Fenway Fan, McBiff, Stephani Rabideaux, Dylan Bonner, Jasmine Becket-Griffith, and Ashley Taylor at Wonderground Gallery; Dirk Wunderlich at Thomas Kinkade Studios; Tim Rogerson of Marvel Fine Art by Choice Collectibles; fan favorite Larry Dotson; photographer Simone Amaduzzi;  Luis Sottil, Karin Arruda, Denyse Klette, Michelle St. Laurent, David Miller, Armando Hevia, Rodel Gonzalez, Tom Matousek, Orlando Quevado and Jared Franco from Wyland Galleries; Noah (in the World Showplace Pavilion); and Rob Kaz and Joel Payne of James Coleman Studios.

 

Disney artists Kim Gromoll, David Buckley, Morgan Ditta, Darren Wilson, Joe Yakovetic, Brett Owens, John Nadeau, Don “Ducky” Williams, Will Gay, Alex Maher, Doug Bolly, and Joe Kaminski will also be making appearances. 

 

The artists showing their creations at the 2021 Disney Artists Festival Market represent a wide variety of artistic styles and different types of media. You can see the complete schedule for the various days and times for the artists’ appearances here. Artwork will be on sale for guests to purchase.

 

Visitors can also create their own artwork souvenirs at the Festival, such as take-home tee shirts from Enemy Ink, or learn how to draw their favorite Disney character at the complimentary Animation Academy workshops held at the America Gardens Theatre and led by a Disney animator. They can also step into 3-D life-sized versions of famous works of art, such as Emanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing the Delaware, Edvard Munch’s The Scream, or even a Van Gogh café, posing for their own fun iconic photos. Musical performances will also take place throughout the park, including a new “Voices of Liberty – The Disney Songbook” for 2021.

 

The Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts runs through February 22.

 

__________

 

Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!