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Here’s Why You MUST Visit The Art Of Disney In Disney Springs This July

Located in the Disney Springs Marketplace, The Art of Disney is the place to shop for unique art pieces and collectibles. The store offers a gallery-style experience to Guests. Canvases and artwork hang from the walls, easels are placed around the floor area, displaying larger pieces, and glass cabinets and table tops are filled with collectible pieces. Whether you intend to purchase something, or are simply admiring the talent demonstrated in the art pieces by artists, you can easily spend 30 minutes plus in this Disney store. 

You don’t have to spend three and four figures when visiting The Art of Disney store either. Souvenir postcards are available to purchase, that can be displayed in photo frames around your home, to look like mini pieces of art. Animation cels of favorite Disney characters can be purchased, and if Guests time it right, can even watch an animator complete the sketch too. There are also framed prints from well-known Disney artists, such as Larry Dotson, Rob Kaz and David E. Doss, that are available to purchase.

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Credit: Disney Tips

We recently reported about the new artwork that was being showcased at Disney Springs in Town Center. The Disney Springs Art Walk: A Canvas Expression celebrates local artists and those from around the world. Artists are invited to decorate the walls in Town Center with their styles. While the Disney Springs Art Walk has no end date, there is an experience that you don’t want to miss during the entire month of July. 

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Credit: Disney

Showcase at The Art of Disney

The Art of Disney store is known to showcase different artists throughout the year. Some artists visit across several days, whilst others will feature for a whole month. July this year is a special month to visit!

From July 1-31, 2022, the Thomas Kinkade Studios are featuring in a special showcase in The Art of Disney. Not only will art pieces be displayed and available for Guests to purchase, but three artists from the Thomas Kinkade Studios will feature in the store. It’s your chance to see their work in action, chat with them and ask questions, and maybe even purchase an art piece that can be personally signed before it’s yours to keep.

About the Thomas Kinkade Studios

Thomas Kinkade was a famous professional painter, known for the incredibly detailed landscape and still life paintings that he created during his life. In 2005 he was commissioned by the Walt Disney Company to paint Disneyland, as part of the celebration of its 50th anniversary. The art piece that Thomas Kinkade created for the celebration resulted in him being granted a licence to paint the Disney Dreams Collection. 

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Credit: Thomas Kinkade Studios

The Disney Dreams Collection began with the following pieces:

  • A New Day at the Cinderella Castle
  • Snow White Discovers the Cottage
  • Cinderella Wishes Upon a Dream
  • Pinocchio Wishes Upon a Star
  • Tinker Bell and Peter Pan Fly to Neverland
  • Bambi’s First Year
  • Beauty and the Beast Falling in Love

Sadly, Thomas Kinkade passed away in 2012, however Disney extended the licence to the Thomas Kinkade Studios, who continue to create incredible Disney art to this day. Their aim is to:

“capture the timeless magic of classic Disney stories and their captivating characters through the style of “narrative panoramas”. Each painting tells the entire story of a Disney film in one image, taking inspiration from art, sketches and other historic documents from the Disney Archives.”

Thomas Kinkade Studios art pieces can be seen around the Walt Disney World Resort. Jigsaw puzzles featuring the Thomas Kinkade Disney artwork are available to purchase in many Disney stores, including the Emporium in Magic Kingdom, World of Disney in Disney Springs and the Creations Shop in EPCOT. Some of the Thomas Kinkade Studios Disney art pieces are available to purchase in the Main Street Cinema in Magic Kingdom and the Art of Disney in EPCOT.

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Credit: Thomas Kinkade Studios

Featured Artists at The Art of Disney

The Walt Disney Company have confirmed three of the Thomas Kinkade Studios artists that will feature in The Art of Disney throughout July. These artists will be available to meet Guests and sign art pieces. There will also be a Thomas Kinkade art consultant who will be available with the artists, whilst showcasing a special assortment of art that will be available at the event to purchase, that may even include limited edition pieces.

Legacy artist Dirk Wunderlich is one of the three artists that will be appearing in the Thomas Kinkade Studios showcase event. Dirk worked under Thomas Kinkade for many years, perfecting his styles and techniques, after the two artists met, and Thomas took Dirk under his wing. The direction he learned from Thomas lead him to become a Thomas Kinkade Studios Legacy Artist. Prior to working with Thomas Kinkade, Dirk had designed advertising layouts and catalogs for Disney’s non-theatrical film rental division, before working on the launch of The Disney Channel.

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Credit: Thomas Kinkade Studios

Artist Jenna McMullins began her career in 2017 after graduating with her Design and Illustration Degree. Taking inspiration from Disney and Star Wars has driven her growth as an artist. She now works for her dream company after being introduced to Thomas Kinkade’s work in college.

Artist Joseph Yakovetic has been a contributor to the creative content of The Walt Disney Company for many years. His work has included costume and set design, as well as caricaturing and pumpkin carving. In 2006, Joseph became a featured artist for the Disney Galleries, whose work includes placing shadows and hidden images in his Disney paintings. Joseph currently represents The Walt Disney Company as a sketch artist, as well as his art pieces being classed as highly prized Disney collectibles throughout the world.

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Credit: Jozeph Yakovetic

Make sure to visit The Art of Disney in the Disney Springs Marketplace between 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. throughout July, to avoid missing out on this special event. If you’ve always dreamt of owning a Thomas Kinkade Studios art piece, this may just be the perfect opportunity to make this dream come true!

About Victoria Mills

Victoria is a Disney-loving, tea-drinking, Math teacher from Liverpool, England. Her motto is 'work hard, Disney harder'! Having taken part in the Disney College Program back in 2010, Victoria's love and appreciation for Walt Disney World only grew, and it's the place where she feels most herself - it's home!