Arlington, TEXAS (June 28, 2022) – This summer, the wonderful world of our childhood (and adulthood) is in Downtown Arlington! The Arlington Museum of Art in Downtown is presenting Disney Art from Private Collections, a blockbuster art exhibition that features hundreds of original, hand-drawn sketches, drawings, storyboards, models, and more from three Disney Legends: Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, and Andreas Deja. Thomas and Johnston are widely considered to be the fathers of the Disney animation style.
Downtown Arlington was named the Arlington Cultural District by the State of Texas in 2016 for its concentration of cultural institutions, artists, access to arts education, and collaborations with local artists. In keeping with that spirit, Downtown Arlington is joining with the Arlington Museum of Art by hosting companion programming throughout the summer. Collectively, the events–and the cooperative spirit behind them—are called the Magic of Downtown.
All the events, promotions, and stories of the Magic of Downtown can be found on a new webpage, downtownarlington.org/events/magic-of-downtown
Magic of Downtown
Many of Downtown Arlington’s popular restaurants and destinations are offering Disney-inspired promotions and events. Downtown programming for the Magic of Disney includes a Princesses and Villains Bar Crawl with Arlington Locals on July 9; Gaston vs. Beast Axe Throwing Night at Lone Star Axe Throwing on August 4; Disney trivia night at J. Gilligan’s Bar later this summer; and more events to be announced.
Summer promotions include Disney-themed cocktails Hooligan’s Bar, including Beauty and the Bourbon. Sugar Bees Sweets Bakery is offering two inspired treats: the Cinderella vanilla cupcake and the Snow White red velvet cake pop.
The Arlington Museum of Art is also planning a number of events and activities, including free lectures; yoga classes in partnership with Arlington Yoga Center; family-friendly Open Mic nights; free Story Hours at the AMA by the Downtown Library; figure drawing workshops; guided tours of the exhibition in English and Spanish; and more. The museum also offers self-guided tours, which are accessible through a personal cell phone or tablet.
“Our enthusiasm for collaboration is one of the many unique, entrepreneurial strengths of our Business Improvement District,” said Maggie Campbell, President and CEO of Downtown Arlington, “and having a Disney animation exhibition come to Downtown is a particularly fun opportunity to collaborate! Because Downtown Arlington is the city’s official State of Texas Cultural District, we also have such a deeply creative spirit running throughout our district. It’s been great to see how each business has embraced different Disney characters and storylines as the way they participate in Magic of Downtown.”
At the AMA: Disney Art from Private Collections
Disney Art from Private Collections at the Arlington Museum of Art features over 250 original animation sketches and cels, character studies, storyboards, models, and concept drawings that come straight from the vaults of long-time Walt Disney Animation Studios artist Andreas Deja and other private collectors. Eighty years of Disney animated films are represented in the exhibition, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Fantasia, Beauty and the Beast, The Princess and the Frog, The Lion King, Alice in Wonderland, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Bambi, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Aladdin, and more.
Chris Hightower, AMA President and CEO, says that visitors can expect a unique and immersive experience as they explore the exhibition.
“We want Disney Art from Private Collections to fill visitors with the same joy they feel for their favorite Disney films,” Hightower said. “To create this kind of engaging experience, the museum is borrowing from the techniques animators use when they’re telling a story. Throughout the exhibition, we’ll build in elements of surprise, share backstories, create drama, and give visitors ways to interact, play, and learn.”
For More Information
Magic of Downtown: downtownarlington.org/events/magic-of-downtown
Tickets for Disney Art from Private Collections: arlingtonmuseum.org/disney-art-from-private-collections. Group rates are available.
About Downtown Arlington
Designated by the State of Texas as the Arlington Cultural District, Downtown Arlington is where creativity, authenticity, and hometown pride thrive and drive what’s next. Within its less than a two-mile radius, Downtown is home UT Arlington, a Tier-One university, plus prolific visual and performing arts, live entertainment, exciting NCAA and professional athletics, one-of-a-kind dining and retail, and a supportive business climate. downtownarlington.org
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Source: Shared in partnership with Downtown Arlington
