A new exhibit focusing on Mary Blair has been announced by The Walt Disney Family Museum. Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic will focus on the artwork from one of Walt Disney’s most imaginative and renowned designers and art directors. The exhibit will open on May 22nd and be available for guests to enjoy through September 7, 2025.
“Mary Blair was a fearless artist, continually exploring color and style throughout her long career. Our hope is that visitors of all ages find inspiration in her trailblazing, vibrant, and enduring work,” says museum Executive Director Kirsten Komoroske.
Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic
Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic will feature Blair’s artwork from the museum’s collection. This will be a reimagined return of the fan-favorite original special exhibition at The Walt Disney Family Museum that debuted in 2014: MAGIC, COLOR, FLAIR: the world of Mary Blair. This new exhibit is curated by the museum’s Director of Collections & Exhibitions Marina Vilar-Delgado. It is based on the original exhibition that was created by award-winning animator and animation historian John Canemaker. This new exhibit will offer a new look at Mary Blair’s inspirational career. It will include an expanded selection of works that highlight her later collaborations with Walt Disney on iconic theme park and resort installations. This includes attractions, facades, and murals.
“Following the popularity of our 2014 special exhibition curated by historian John Canemaker, we are excited to celebrate Mary Blair’s remarkable career and visual storytelling at the museum once again”, says Villar-Delgado. “Blair was a powerful creative force and independent spirit who not only succeeded in a male-dominated field, but whose ingenuity and talent also made her one of the most influential concept artists of the 20th century.”
Mary Blair was known for her whimsical and daring approach to art. She used multiple mediums, including watercolor, pencil and ink, collage, and ceramics. Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic will showcase nearly 150 artworks and historical photographs. They will explore her influential role in shaping the look and feel of so many Disney animated films and theme park experiences. This artistic vision continues to resonate today. There will also be Mary Blair-themed art activities to enjoy at this exhibit, along with augmented reality interactive activities that can be accessed with a smartphone.
About Mary Blair
Mary Blair was made a Disney Legend posthumously in 1991. She is credited for being a big part of introducing modernism to Walt Disney. For nearly 30 years, he touted her talents to create the aesthetic of his cinematic world. This included innovative use of color and form. Animator, Imagineer, and Disney Legend Marc Davis recalled, “She brought modern art to Walt in a way that no one else did. He was so excited about her work.” Davis also said Mary’s talents were on par with French artist Henri Matisse.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Blair was an important part of Walt Disney’s production team. She had a distinctive artistic flair that was integral to the success of Disney’s postwar animated films. She cemented her place as a creative leader with her work on The Three Caballeros (1943) and Saludos Amigos (1945). Her style can also be seen in films like Cinderella (1950), Alice in Wonderland (1951), and Peter Pan (1953). In the 1960s, Blair worked on the iconic design of it’s a small world for the 1964/1965 New York World’s Fair. She later oversaw the creation of iconic attractions and murals both at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
How to See Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic
For guests wishing to experience this new exhibit, Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic will be open on Thursday, May 22, through Sunday, September 7, 2025. The entry fee for this exhibition is included with the price of general admission. There is a suggested donation of $5 to support the museum’s initiative to present world-class original exhibitions.
The Walt Disney Family Museum has also revealed that there will be exclusive screenings in the museum’s theater that will include a collection of rare film footage and animated film works that will go along with the artwork featured in Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic.
More information about this exhibit can be found here: WaltDisney.org/Mary-Blair
What do you think of this new exhibit at The Walt Disney Family Museum? Are you going to make your way to the museum to see it? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
