The Walt Disney World Resort is celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage for the month of May, and the cultural influence is coming to Disney Springs! We’ve already taken a look at some of the culinary delights that will be on offer in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland over the celebration period; now, we are seeing some of the beautiful sights coming to the Disney Springs Art Walk by featured artists, Thao French and Andrew Hem. Let’s take a closer look at the story behind these two artists as well as their contribution to the Disney Springs Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage celebration.
Disney Springs Featured Artist Thao French
French’s signature style is one of my favorites; her art is inspired by the disruptive quality of graffiti and she puts her own spin on it with a spray-painting technique that brings bold textures and colors to her work. French wants to use her art and her story to encourage women like her to pursue their dreams.
“It’s an amazing and powerful feeling to be able to show up and represent for the Asian American Pacific Islander community,” said French, who is Vietnamese-American. “I hope that [my piece] inspires other Asian women to pursue the arts because it’s extremely rewarding.”
Disney Springs Featured Artist Andrew Hem
Coincidentally, Hem worked as a Disney character artist over 15 years ago in his first job, and the experience served as one of the first steps in making art his career. Fast forward to 2023, and he has a growing career in the art industry and a hefty amount of gratitude to Disney for helping jump-start his future.
In Hem’s mural, the Cambodian-American artist brings together the happiness in his life and the joy guests feel at Walt Disney World Resort.
“When guests come to see my work, I want them to stop, slow down and just explore all the Easter eggs inside my work,” said Hem about the variety of hidden faces found within his piece.
The Disney Springs Art Walk: A Canvas of Expression will be celebrating its first anniversary on May 22, 2023, and what an impact it has had in only twelve months. We love how these walls are now lined with stories depicting culture and diversity, showcasing each artist’s journey to arrive at that space. Just like The Walt Disney Company, the root of this project lies in storytelling, with lucky visitors like us afforded the opportunity to experience the talents of a wide variety of artists in a fabulous Disney setting.
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