Each Disney festival brings its kind of magic to EPCOT. The Festival of the Holidays gets us in the Christmas vibes and a jump off to a jolly season. The Food and Wine Festival is a haven for foodies and wine aficionados. And there’s no place to be for spring than the Flower & Garden Festival.
I’ll admit – I love each of these festivals equally and the different experiences they offer but this year’s International Festival of the Arts was especially touching with its homage to new, young Black artistry.
“We highly value and celebrate the contributions of Black and Brown artists, and all of our talented artists here at EPCOT. At Disney, we recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion in the arts,” Vice President of EPCOT Kartika Rodriguez shared with RoyalTee Magazine in an exclusive statement. “We actively seek to showcase diverse perspectives and create opportunities for artists from all backgrounds to contribute to the valuable and rich creative expression across the theme park, including at festivals and beyond.”
Rodriguez added, “Disney’s commitment to the arts extends into the future and spans across Walt Disney World. Whether it’s behind the scenes where Cast create murals to donate to local hospitals through our partnership with the Foundation for Hospital Art or in our park where guests can join the fun at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, our goal is to foster a thriving artistic community and ensure that the arts remain an integral part of our global cultural landscape.”
With that said, here are a few highlights from the festival and EPCOT overall that touched on the diverse magic of Disney.
The jazz vibes
The early part of the day was serenaded by saxophonist Don Black, adding a jazz twist to pop favorites like Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk.” It instantly puts you into the vibes of EPCOT’s “The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure’’ and “Celebrate Soulfully’’ celebrations, which centered om Disney’s Soul movie starring Jamie Foxx and celebrated our country’s rich history of jazz.
Young Black artistry on display
Kiosks were set up throughout the park showcasing vibrant and unique takes on some of Disney’s most popular and iconic scenes and characters, plus the opportunity to meet the artist behind the canvas. Among them was Ryan Riller. The freelance San Francisco creative has been a lover of the arts since he was 4 years old and is known for his paper artistry and works with Disney, Hasbro, Prada, and others. Everything he creates is drawn, cut, and colored by hand.
“Honestly, you don’t see a lot of Black artists doing this stuff, especially paper,” he shared between autographing pieces and speaking with admirers of his work. And he’s right. Between 2001 and 2021, African American artists grew by nearly 400% but represent nearly 2% of global auction sales that are worth $3.6 billion, according to the art market website ArtNet.
Riller debuted his latest piece at the festival, titled “Symphony of the Arts,” inspired by Disney’s Fantasia, which flew off the stands.
“This is one of those pieces that seemed like I could just continue working on it forever so it’s no surprise that this is the biggest paper art I’ve released thus far,” he shared on his Instagram.
Also on display was “Remember Who You Are,’’ inspired by The Lion King and the tearjerker scene when the spirit of Mufasa spoke to Simba from the clouds. But my favorite piece and personal, which he shared he did not even know was going to be displayed, was the Wakandan piece, featuring the characters of Queen Ramonda, Shuri, and Dora Milaje from The Black Panther.
He didn’t express it, but it is safe to say the #blackgirlmagic, strength, resilience, praising the ancestors, and honoring legacy were part of his inspiration.
Under the tents along with Riller’s work were pieces by visual Afro-Latina artist and illustrator Yesenia Moises. Among her standout pieces on display is one called “I’m Gonna Stand Out” inspired by Disney’s A Goofy Movie, which is arguably Disney’s first Black movie. Let’s face it – when you hear “Eye to Eye” you can’t help but sing it. The piece captures the iconic size when Max shares the stage with Powerline.
Moises, who is also a toy designer and the author of her own children’s picture titled “Stella’s Stellar Hair,” is known in the industry for her “Afro Fantasy’’ style, which puts a big emphasis on “big hair, bright colors, and lots of sazon from the heart” in a world that could be a scary place.
Other artists of color at the festival included illustrator and cartoonist Larissa Marantz.
Diversity is never in short supply at the festival of the arts and there’s plenty for everyone. Over 100 artists come from across the country to display and sell their work, crafting inspiration from Star Wars and Indiana Jones to Mickey and Minnie pieces and Disney princesses. Each artist leaves their unique spin on a classic character.
Events such as the Festival of the Arts give you a whole other layer of love for your favorite characters and movies you never knew were there until you saw them drawn out. Original pieces from the artists ranged between $100-$200; however, postcard versions were priced at $6.99 and $24.99, and prints were $14.99 and $24.99 for larger copies.
Disney on Broadway concert series
Finally, end your day at the festival with the Disney on Broadway Concert at the America Gardens Theatre. The show features Black artists such as The Lion King’s L. Steven Taylor, Kissy Simmons, Bradley Gibson and Aladdin’s Michael James Scott.
Scott will be the honorary grand marshal for the “Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade” at Magic Kingdom Park on Feb. 6, which kicks off a monthlong celebration of Black heritage and culture.
Asha, Asha, Asha
No matter how old we get, as little Black and brown girls who are now women, it never gets old seeing a princess who looks like us. We couldn’t leave EPCOT without visiting the beautiful princess from the Kingdom of Wishes – Princess Asha.
Asha is Disney’s first Afro-Latina princess from Disney’s Wish, the musical follows the story of Asha, a 17-year-old “driven, incredibly smart and an optimist, a sharp-witted leader in the making who sees darkness that others do not.” She makes a wish so powerful that it’s answered by a magical of boundless energy called Star.
Princess Tiana is at Magic Kingdom Park and Ariel from the live-action movie is at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts goes on from Jan. 12-Feb. 19.
RoyalTee reached out to Riller and Moises for comment and was unable to obtain a response.
