Walt Disney Animation Studios is presenting a special exhibition titled "Whimsy & Wonder" at the Animayo festival in Gran Canaria, Spain, from May 7-10, 2025. The exhibition honors female talent in animation, featuring works by trailblazing color stylist Mary Blair and six contemporary female artists from the studio: Lorelay Bové, Lisa Keene, Brittney Lee, Griselda Sastrawinata-Lemay, Josie Trinidad, and Fawn Veerasunthorn. The show includes art from films such as "Frozen," "Encanto," "Moana 2," and "The Princess and the Frog." Animayo, an Oscar-qualifying animation festival, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with Disney as an official sponsor.
This exhibition matters because it highlights the often-underrecognized contributions of women in animation history, from Mary Blair's mid-century innovations to the contemporary artists shaping Disney's modern blockbusters. By showcasing female visual development artists and storytellers, the event aims to inspire young women attending the festival and underscores the growing importance of the Canary Islands as an animation hub. The partnership also reinforces Disney's commitment to diversity and representation in the animation industry.