Mary Blair (1911–1978) was one of Walt Disney’s most brilliant conceptual designers, helping define the look of such classics as Cinderella (1950), Alice in Wonderland (1951), and Peter Pan (1953). She also brought her distinctive, colorful style to children’s books, advertisements, theatrical set designs, and theme park attractions, and the deceptively naïve style of her commercial artwork belied great visual sophistication in everything from color choices to composition. Although much of her art veers away from naturalism toward abstraction and Surrealism, she was one of Walt Disney’s favorite artists. Animation filmmaker John Canemaker, author of The Art and Flair of Mary Blair (Disney Editions, 2003), gives an illustrated lecture on the artist. A rare 35mm screening of Alice in Wonderland and a book signing will follow.
Organized by Joshua Siegel, Assistant Curator, Department of Film and Media.
Special thanks to Dick Cook, Chairman, Walt Disney Studios; Howard E. Green, Vice President, Walt Disney Studio Communications; and Wendy Lefkon, Executive Editor, Disney Editions.