Downtown Disney at the Walt Disney World resort is in the early stages of its transformation into Disney Springs. A lot of what we knew as DTD (including Pleasure Island and NYE every night) is gone forever. However, there are some traditions that continue and we hope will survive the transition. One of these is the Festival of the Masters, which, believe it or not, is in its 38th year. The event will takeover Downtown Disney Nov 8-10, 2013.
The prestigious open-air fine arts festival features more than 300 artists creating and showcasing their unique works in painting, photography, sculpture, chalk, glass and more. Exhibits feature more than 130 award-winning artists, nearly 20 up-and-coming Emerging Masters, the Disney Artist Village, live performance artists and more.
Here’s a video I made capturing a few of the highlights from last year:
A crowd favorite, the Disney Artist Village will return with one of the largest displays of official Disney art available for purchase and will include meet and greets with the more than 25 artists behind those masterpieces. Located between Cirque du Soleil and House of Blues on Downtown Disney West Side, the Disney Artist Village tent will feature Disney character art created by masters from various Disney disciplines including Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney’s Yellow Shoes Creative Group. Disney Artists also will perform live shows as they create new works of art on stage and will host interactive chats about art and what it can be. Both the art chats and live performances will take place at Waterside Stage in the Marketplace.
New this year, “Mixers and Masters” will highlight artistic cocktails throughout Downtown Disney. Select dining locations will feature specialty drinks for sipping and strolling including the Pinkberry Martini from Wolfgang Puck Café, Blue Nile from Rainforest Café and Huckleberry Lemonade at Splitsville. Guests can learn what goes into making an artfully delicious cocktail during daily presentations on Waterside Stage. “The Art of Mixology” will feature 10-minute demonstrations with experts three times a day.
Guests also can become part of the festival with interactive fun. Various activities presented by Michaels will be available, including “Make It Take It” crafts, coloring Disney-inspired masterpieces and the “Michaels Master Mural” where guests can help create a mosaic-like mural. Children are invited to creatively chalk sections of the Marketplace for the Children’s Chalk Art display; help build a giant LEGO masterpiece and create an interactive LEGO mural.
Other activities will include:
• Live entertainment by performers from La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil
• House of Blues 15th year celebration of its Folk Art Festival with more than 30 accomplished artists
• Special artist appearances at Hoypoloi and Pop Gallery
• Live entertainment at various venues, including House of Blues, Bongos Cuban Café, Raglan Road, and Splitsville
The event takes place from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission and self-parking are complimentary at Downtown Disney; valet parking is available during the event from 12 p.m. – 2 a.m. via Entrance 4 at Downtown Disney West Side. For more information about Festival of the Masters, including exhibit times and parking information, please visit DisneyFestivaloftheMasters.com.