In a new update from Disney on the transformation of Splash Mountain into Tiana's Bayou Adventure, Carmen Smith, Senior Vice President, Creative Development - Product/Content & Inclusive Strategies talks about some of the sources of inspiration for Disney Imagineering working on the project.
Carman said, "To ensure this experience authentically reflects the real-life inspiration of Tiana’s story, Imagineers have consulted and collaborated with a host of academics, musicians and artists across the New Orleans region."
According to Carman, when Walt Disney Imagineering project team first looked for local inspiration, they were drawn to the work of a talented artist, Sharika Mahdi. Sharika has contributed a unique and authentic perspective to the project, capturing the essence of New Orleans through a series of original artwork commissioned by WDI. “Making a big deal about everything and celebrating everything,” Sharika remarks of the region that inspires her artwork, “I want to show this is what it’s about, being a part of New Orleans and being a part of the culture.”
Tiana's Bayou Adventure project lead Charita Carter recently visited Sharika for a tour of her studio and a first look at the second piece of artwork commissioned in this series: a jazz club scene with an ensemble of affable amphibians.
Tiana's Bayou Adventure opens late 2024. A closing date for Splash Mountain has not yet been announced."
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