Walt Disney Family Museum Announces Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World Exhibition

The Walt Disney Family Museum has announced a new exhibition will be coming to the museum in Spring 2019. Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World will celebrate the iconic character from his inception through his rise to fame. The exhibition will be guest curated by Disney Legend Andreas Deja and will feature more than 400 objects.

Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World

What’s happening: 

  • This spring, guest visiting the The Walt Disney Family Museum can enjoy a bran new exhibition, Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World
  • The special exhibit is a celebration of animation’s most beloved and recognizable character and chronicles Mickey’s impact and influence on art and entertainment over the past nine decades.
  • Fans will experience the story of his origin, rise to fame, and enduring world-wide appeal, along with Walt Disney’s inspiring and parallel story.
  • Presented in conjunction with the museum’s tenth anniversary, the exhibition will be displayed in the Diane Disney Miller Exhibition Hall from May 16, 2019 through January 6, 2020.
  • The exhibit will be guest curated by animator and Disney Legend, Andreas Deja, and will feature more than 400 objects including:
    • Rare and never-before-seen original sketches
    • Character model sheets
    • Concept artwork
    • Nostalgic merchandise
    • Vintage photographs
    • A variety of Mickey’s earliest and most recent animated short films.
  • The exhibition is a testament to Mickey’s influence, from cartoons and comic books to real-life appearances at Disney Parks and highlights the incredible artists responsible for his success such as:
    • Ub Iwerks
    • Les Clark
    • Fred Moore
    • Andreas Deja
    • Eric Goldberg
    • Mark Henn
  • Guests will also have the opportunity to view artistic interpretations Mickey featuring the stylized work of pop artists of the late-1950s and 60s.
  • The inclusion in the exhibition of iconic works by prominent artists including:
    • Gottfried Helnwein
    • Damien Hirst
    • Wayne Thiebaud
    • Andy Warhol
  • Contemporary works include artists:
    • Lorelay Bové
    • Tennessee Loveless
    • Eric Robison
    • San Francisco-based muralist Sirron Norris

Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World

What they’re saying:

  • Disney Animator, Andreas Deja: “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. 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.”
  • Museum Executive Director Kirsten Komoroske: “It has been an honor and pleasure to collaborate with Andreas Deja—the leading authority on the history and animation of Mickey—in creating this meaningful exhibition. Depicting 90 years of this iconic character’s enduring success was a wonderful challenge, and Andreas has brilliantly succeeded in creating a remarkably diverse and extensive special exhibition.”
  • Andreas Deja: “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.”

Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World

Mickey Mouse for all ages:

  • To enhance their experience, younger visitors and the young-at-heart are invited to dive further into the exhibition through in-gallery interactive elements and hands-on activities.
  • Guests can participate in an exciting pairing of programs held during the opening week that will highlight the extensive process of curating such a comprehensive exhibition, and Mickey’s inimitable appeal to all walks of life:
    • Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World Preview with Guest Curator Andreas Deja
      • Wednesday, May 15 | 1–2pm and 4–5pm
    •  Voicing an Icon: Mickey Talks with Bret Iwan
      • Saturday, May 18 | 11am–12:30 pm and 3–4:30 pm

Exhibition Catalogue

  • Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World is complemented by a catalogue featuring artworks showcased in the exhibition.
  • The catalogue, published by the Walt Disney Family Foundation Press, can be purchased in the Museum Store for $50.

Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World

About Andreas Deja:

  • After seeing The Jungle Book as a child, Andreas Deja remembers immediately writing to The Walt Disney Studios and asking for a job as an animator.
  • In 1980, he was encouraged to apply upon showing his work to one of Walt’s Nine Old Men, Eric Larson.
  • Deja went on to do early character design, costume research, and animation for:
    • The Black Cauldron 
    • The Great Mouse Detective 
    • Who Framed Roger Rabbit? 
  • He also oversaw the animation of King Triton in The Little Mermaid, and served as the supervising animator for Disney villains:
    • Gaston in Beauty and the Beast
    • Jafar in Aladdin 
    • Scar in The Lion King 
  • He was then given the opportunity to create some much-loved heroes and heroines including:
    • Hercules in Hercules
    • Lilo of Lilo & Stitch
    • Mama Odie in The Princess and the Frog
  • In 2007, he was honored with the Winsor McKay Award from the International Animated Film Association, and was later named a Disney Legend in 2015.
  • The Walt Disney Family Museum celebrated his prolific career with the exhibition Deja View: The Art of Andreas Deja in 2017.
  • He is currently working on Mushka, his own independent animated short film.

Visiting the 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
    • December 25
    • Early closure at 4pm on December 24 and December 31

Tickets: 

  • General admission ticket:
    • $25 adults
    • $20 seniors & students
    • $15 youth (ages 6 to 17)
  • General admission + special exhibition combo ticket:
    • $35 adults
    • $30 seniors & students
    • $25 youth
  • Special exhibition stand-alone ticket: $15 all levels
  • Museum admission is free for members and children under 5

Where:

  • The Presidio of San Francisco, 104 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94129

Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World is organized by The Walt Disney Family Museum and will be presented in the Diane Disney Miller Exhibition Hall from May 16, 2019 through January 6, 2020.