A new retrospective of the visionary artist's celebrated contributions to Disney animation, attraction design, and American modern art
Opening Celebration: March 21, 2026
Exhibition on View: March 22 – October 25, 2026
Yountville, CA – March 5, 2026 — Napa Valley Museum Yountville is delighted to announce Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic, a special exhibition from the Walt Disney Family Museum exploring the creative vision and achievements of one of Walt Disney's most imaginative and renowned designers and art directors. Known for her whimsical and daring approach, Mary Blair's versatility spanned multiple mediums, including watercolor, pencil and ink, collage, and ceramics. The exhibition, curated by the Walt Disney Family Museum's Director of Collections & Exhibitions Marina Villar-Delgado and based on an earlier exhibition created by award-winning animator and animation historian John Canemaker, features nearly 150 artworks and historical photographs exploring her influential role in shaping the look and feel of many of Disney's animated films and theme park experiences, an artistic vision that continues to resonate today with children and families, design enthusiasts, and fans of the mid-century aesthetic. www.napavalleymuseum.org
Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic
On View March 7 – Oct 25, 2026
Napa Valley Museum Yountville Main Gallery
55 Presidents Circle, Yountville, CA 94599
Opening Celebration
Saturday, March 21, 2026, 4–7 p.m.
Hosted by NVMY, Walt Disney Family Museum, and Tiki Oasis
Featuring cocktails by Hanson of Sonoma Distillery and appetizers by Sushi Monkey and performance by the Devil-Ettes
One Woman's Impact on World of Walt Disney
Mary Blair (1911–1978) was one of Walt Disney's most inventive and influential designers and art directors. Posthumously awarded the Disney Legend distinction in 1991, Blair was instrumental in introducing modernism to Walt, and, for nearly 30 years, he touted her unique creative eye and innovative use of color and form to define the aesthetic of his cinematic world. Animator, Imagineer, and Disney Legend Marc Davis—who put Blair's talents on par with French artist Henri Matisse—recalled, “She brought modern art to Walt in a way that no one else did.”
Blair became a fundamental member of Walt's production team at The Walt Disney Studios throughout the 1940s and 1950s, with her distinct artistic flair integral to the success of Disney's postwar animated films. Her work on The Three Caballeros (1943) and Saludos Amigos (1945), inspired by a Disney goodwill tour of South America, cemented her place as a creative leader. Her style also left an indelible mark on other beloved feature films such as Cinderella (1950), Alice in Wonderland (1951), and Peter Pan (1953). In the 1960s, Blair contributed to the memorable design of “it's a small world”—originally conceived for the 1964/65 New York World's Fair—and later oversaw the development of iconic attractions and murals for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Walt Disney Family Museum, which began with our popular exhibition: ‘Walt Disney's Trains’ in 2018,” said Napa Valley Museum Executive Director Laura Rafaty. “This new exhibition presents a vibrant showcase of works by a groundbreaking artist who broke the ‘celluloid ceiling’ in a male-dominated industry. Mary represented a rare female artist who transitioned from traditional, lower-level roles in the animation department to become one of the most influential concept artists and visual leaders at the studio – and one of Walt's favorites. We know the exhibition will evoke strong memories of childhood through her illustrations for ‘Cinderella,’ ‘Sleeping Beauty,’ ‘Peter Pan,’ and other classic films – and of Disneyland's ‘it's a small world,’ with its resonant message of global unity, peace, and shared humanity. We hope the exhibition will delight visitors and inspire many more to follow her example, break through barriers, and imagine a beautiful new world.”
Experience the Exuberant Charm of Mary Blair
Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic is on view at the Napa Valley Museum Yountville (NVMY) in the Main Gallery from March 7 through October 25, 2026. Located at 55 Presidents Circle, Yountville, CA, the NVMY is open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get Tickets.
Admission
Adults: $20
Seniors (65+): $15
Youth (6–17): $10
Active-Duty Military, Children Under 5, & Yountville Veterans Home Residents: Free
Upgraded Museum Members: Free
About Mary Blair
Born in McAlester, Oklahoma, in 1911 and raised in Morgan Hill, California, Mary attended San Jose State University before being awarded a scholarship to Chouinard Art Institute—now CalArts—in Los Angeles. After graduating in 1933—at the height of the Great Depression—she took a job in the animation unit of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) before joining The Walt Disney Studios in 1940.
In 1941, she joined the Disney expedition that toured Mexico and South America for three months and painted watercolors that inspired Walt to name her as an art supervisor on Saludos Amigos (1943) and The Three Caballeros (1945). Blair's striking use of color and stylized graphics greatly influenced many Disney postwar productions, including Make Mine Music (1946), Song of the South (1946), Melody Time (1948), So Dear to My Heart (1948), The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949), Cinderella (1950), Alice in Wonderland (1951), and Peter Pan (1953).
In 1964, Walt asked Blair to take a leading role in the design of the “it's a small world” attraction. Over the years, she brought her many artistic gifts to numerous exhibits, attractions, and murals at the theme parks in California and Florida, including the fanciful murals in the Grand Canyon Concourse at Disney's Contemporary Hotel at the Walt Disney World Resort. Blair passed on July 26, 1978, in Soquel, California.
About the WDFM
The Walt Disney Family Museum presents the fascinating story and achievements of Walt Disney, the man who raised animation to the level of fine art, transformed the film industry, tirelessly pursued innovation, and created a global, yet distinctively American legacy. Opened in October 2009, the 40,000-square-foot facility features innovative technology alongside a vast collection of historic materials and artifacts that bring Disney's achievements to life. Early drawings and animation, movies, music, listening stations, a spectacular model of Disneyland, and much more are presented in a myriad of interactive galleries. The museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in the scenic Presidio of San Francisco.
About the Napa Valley Museum
What began over 50 years ago as a small museum dedicated to local history has evolved into today's Napa Valley Museum — a vibrant cultural institution presenting innovative exhibitions of art, nature, and history to engage and inspire visitors from around the world. As many other museums are contracting or closing, Napa Valley Museum is expanding to two locations: the Napa Valley Museum Yountville (“The NVMY”) and a new flagship location: the Napa Valley Museum of Art & Culture (“The MAC”) on Highway 29 in St. Helena.
Napa Valley Museum is redefining what a regional museum can be. The MAC serves as a presenter of major exhibitions illuminating the cultural movements, historical moments, and artistic explorations that shape how we see the world. The NVMY houses the Museum's permanent collection and presents exhibitions, educational programs, and events that emphasize the region's art, culture, and history. NVM on Tour is an incubator of original, innovative exhibitions that spark curiosity, deepen engagement, and extend the Museum's reach while providing support for our mission. Through its growing physical and digital presence, Napa Valley Museum celebrates all forms of creative expression, curating unmissable moments in art and culture. Napavalleymuseum.org
