The Disneyland Gallery at the Disneyland Resort is celebrating 45 years of it’s a small world with an exhibition featuring The Art of Mary Blair. Associated with the exhibition are a number of it’s a small world merchandise and collectibles.

In 1964, Walt Disney introduced a concept for a new attraction at the New York World’s Fair that would celebrate children from around the world. More than four decades later, “it’s a small world” continues to be one of the most beloved theme park attractions of all times.

Artist Mary Blair is among those who played an integral part in the development of this classic attraction.  Chosen for her child-like style and adventurous use of color, Mary designed all the concepts from toys to dolls, and to sets inside and out.  Fellow Imagineers, Rolly Crump, Marc Davis and Alice Davis, among others, collaborated to bring us the children of the world living happily under one big sun!  Mary’s artwork remains, to this day, an inspiration to our Disney artists and Disney fans.  Her designs have captured the hearts of many and can be seen throughout each “it’s a small world”  attraction at Disney theme parks worldwide.

The new exhibit will showcase concept artwork from “it’s a small world,” along with other concept story board art from such classic Disney films as Cinderella, Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland and various other installations for projects around the world including tile murals for Tomorrowland, Adventure Through Innerspace, Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the never realized Western River Ride.