December 5th, 2018
ITM
See rare Mickey artwork during Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World exhibition at Walt Disney Museum
Cristina Sanza
Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World, an exclusive new exhibition celebrating both Mickey and Walt Disney, is coming to the Walt Disney Family Museum in Spring 2019.
In addition to original animation pieces, artifacts, and film clips illustrating Mickey’s rich history, visitors can see pop art interpretations of Disney’s beloved mouse. Iconic works by Gottfried Helnwein, Damien Hirst, Wayne Thiebaud, and Andy Warhol will be displayed alongside contemporary works





Walt Disney Family Museum, San Francisco


This special exhibition, which runs from May 16, 2019 – January 6, 2020, chronicles Mickey’s influence on art and entertainment over the past 90 years. Guests will experience the story of Mickey’s origin, rise to fame, and enduring worldwide appeal juxtaposed with Walt Disney’s own parallel story. Here’s more on the exhibition from the Walt Disney Family Museum:

Guest curated by legendary animator Andreas Deja, Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World features more than 400 objects, including rare and never-before-seen original sketches, character model sheets, and concept artwork, together with nostalgic merchandise, vintage photographs, and a variety of Mickey’s earliest and most recent animated short films. The exhibition is a testament to Mickey’s transcendent influence, from cartoons and comic books to real-life appearances at Disney Parks worldwide. It also highlights the incredible artists who are responsible for his success: legendary animators and artists including Ub Iwerks, Les Clark, and Fred Moore, plus contemporary talent such as Andreas Deja, Eric Goldberg, and Mark Henn.

“I have been collecting and studying classic Disney animation drawings for a long time. Among them are very rare sketches of Mickey Mouse by master animators like Fred Moore, Frank Thomas, and others,” said Deja. “Each artist applied their personal style to Mickey, not only in the way he is drawn but also in the way he moves and acts. By analyzing these beautiful drawings, I am constantly reminded of how wonderful and magical character animation can be.”

“I am proud to include these artworks, never before seen by the public, along with many other artifacts and production pieces, all depicting the one and only Mickey Mouse,” said Deja.

In addition to original animation pieces, artifacts, and film clips illustrating Mickey’s rich history, visitors can see pop art interpretations of Disney’s beloved mouse. Iconic works by Gottfried Helnwein, Damien Hirst, Wayne Thiebaud, and Andy Warhol will be displayed alongside contemporary works by Lorelay Bové, Tennessee Loveless, Eric Robison, and San Francisco-based muralist Sirron Norris.

Visitors are invited to enhance their experience with in-gallery interactive elements and hands-on activities. Plus, if you visit the exhibition during its opening week, you can see two programs highlighting the extensive process of curating this comprehensive celebration of Mickey and Walt Disney.

  • Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World Preview with Guest Curator Andreas Deja: Wed, May 15 | 1–2pm and 4–5pm
  • Voicing an Icon: Mickey Talks with Bret Iwan: Sat, May 18 | 11am–12:30pm and 3–4:30pm

During the event’s run, you can visit the Museum Store to purchase a catalogue featuring artworks showcased in the exhibition for $50.

Museum hours:

Open Wednesday through Monday: 10am to 6pm, last entry at 4:45pm. Closed on Tuesdays and the following public holidays: January 1, Thanksgiving Day, and December 25. Early closure at 4pm on December 24 and December 31.