Picture “It’s a Small World”: its distinctive, zany design with different-sized block panels, evocations of monuments from all over the globe, a happy-faced clock, doors that open to show childlike figures, exuberant golden flags that fly in all directions regardless of the actual wind—and that’s just the outside of the iconic Disneyland ride.
Inside, animated dolls represent different countries (in a way that may not always ring as respectful today, but is dead-on reminiscent of the 1960s) in fantastical environments of busy design, bright color and enthusiasm. That look? It’s thanks to one of Walt Disney’s favorite artists, Mary Blair—and an exhibition of her work is currently on display in San Francisco’s Walt Disney Family Museum.
For those unfamiliar, that’s “Disney family” museum, not Disney “family museum”—Walt’s daughter Diane lived in nearby Napa Valley and donated her family’s photographs and materials to create the collection. The museum’s in the Presidio, a former military outpost that dates back to the Civil War, and provides a fascinating look into Disney’s personal life.
As for the exhibit, “Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic” runs through September 7 and contains nearly 150 artworks—watercolors, drawings, collages and ceramics—and historical photographs. Blair was also the guiding influence behind the look of the early animated feature films Cinderella (1950), Alice in Wonderland (1951) and Peter Pan (1953), and visual development paintings in the exhibition really dazzle.
For instance, this opaque watercolor on paperboard of Cinderella’s pumpkin coach racing against the clock to get home before midnight ingeniously illustrates the idea of speed and panic, seen in the slant of the carriage, the horses almost pulling against each other, and the landscape depicted as a block of tumultuous blue.
According to the exhibit’s wall text, “Walt was known to challenge artists to bring Mary’s influence into the films,” and did her the honor of hanging two of her paintings (on display at the exhibit in their original frames) in his Los Angeles home. At the museum, the tilework at the bottom of the staircase reminds us of Blair's incredible use of color and shape.
A display of Blair’s cupboard with a green drawer, holding her inks, watercolor palettes and brushes, sits right under a photograph of her at her desk working with the same cupboard behind her. A pair of her cat-eye glasses are there, too. It’s easy to feel close to this artist and her genius at this exhibition.
Can’t make it to this show? Walt Disney World travelers can see her 90-foot-tall mural in Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which depicts the Grand Canyon and the American Southwest. That 1971 A-frame hotel is one in which the monorail travels through the resort’s tower. And, of course, you can float through “It’s a Small World” at five different Disney parks around the globe.