Disneyland: The Colors of Mary Blair

There's a terrific new exhibit at Disneyland's Disney Gallery, The Colors of Mary Blair.

The exhibit celebrates all of Blair's Disney work, for both films and theme parks, with a special emphasis on It's a Small World. It's a Small World is celebrating its 45th anniversary at Disneyland today, May 28th.

A few of Blair's designs for the films CINDERELLA (1950) and ALICE IN WONDERLAND (1951):

I loved that Blair's pencil marks are visible underneath the paint in some of the illustrations; it's like having a small peek into the original creative process. Some of the pencil marks are visible around the horse toward the left of this design for the opening credits of SO DEAR TO MY HEART (1948):

One of the designs for the Grand Canyon Concourse mural at Disney World's Contemporary Resort, circa 1969:

I've always wondered what became of Blair's Tomorrowland murals, a couple of which are pictured in the next two designs:

I was happy to learn from one of the notes posted that the murals still exist in Tomorrowland...

...covered by the current artwork.

I wish there were a way to remove them without causing damage and display them elsewhere.

Of course, the exhibit is also filled with Blair's "Small World" designs, such as this one:

This exhibit is highly recommended for those interested in the role of a true Disney Legend in developing classic films and theme parks.

Related posts: Today at Disneyland: Star Tours - The Adventures Continue; Today at Disney's California Adventure: The Little Mermaid - Ariel's Undersea Adventure.