Archive for Walt Disney Family Museum

Disney-Pixar’s John Lasseter to Be Honored by Walt Disney Family Museum

John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, will receive the Diane Disney Miller Lifetime Achievement Award from the Walt Disney Family Museum at its third annual fundraising gala on Nov. 7 at the Golden Gate Club at the Presidio in San Francisco.

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The Walt Disney Family Museum Presents Mel Shaw: An Animator on Horseback

The Walt Disney Family Museum is pleased to present Mel Shaw: An Animator on Horseback. Open from January 13 to September 12, 2016, this exhibition is the first-ever retrospective of the life and work of Disney Legend Mel Shaw (1914–2012)—an artist and storyteller whose skills were in demand by the icons of Hollywood, from Orson Welles to Walt Disney. Shaw’s own life story as an artist, creative entrepreneur, and master horseman is as romantic and adventuresome as the animated stories he helped bring to life. The exhibition is guest-curated by Academy Award®-nominated producer Don Hahn (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Maleficent).

This retrospective features more than 120 works, including caricature sketches, storyboards, and conceptual artwork from some of the most influential films of the twentieth century, stretching from Fantasia (1940) to The Lion King (1994). The exhibition also includes sculptures, oil paintings, ceramics, iconic toys, and artifacts documenting Shaw’s redesign of the character we now all recognize as Howdy Doody. Many of the objects in this exhibition will be on view for the first time.

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Announcing the Walt Disney Family Museum’s New Website

The Walt Disney Family Museum is proud to announce a completely reimagined website at waltdisney.org, launching in celebration of Walt Disney’s birthday.

The museum’s Board and staff have collaborated with the Presidio-based agency Swirl, Inc. to bring you a vastly enhanced website experience. The site includes many new features, including an innovative multimedia section on Walt Disney, and showcases an enticing virtual preview of the museum’s galleries. The website provides content-rich, interactive resources for students, historians, and Disney fans around the world. Viewers can visit the site to learn more about Walt Disney, Diane Disney Miller, and their family legacy, and discover their own creative inspiration in Walt Disney’s story.

Please, come take a look—explore, discover, imagine, and find inspiration at the newwaltdisney.org. Continue the celebration of Walt’s birthday at the museum, offering free admission to all on the eve of Walt’s birthday, Friday, December 4. Limited capacity; tickets issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional paid exhibition ticket required for Disney and Dali: Architects of the Imagination.

If you don’t see the new website right away, please clear your browser’s cache. Some systems may take up to 48-hours to show the new website.

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What’s Happening | The Walt Disney Family Museum | July 2015

The Walt Disney Family Museum is pleased to announce our next exhibition, Tomorrowland: Walt’s Vision for Today, open July 22 through December 7, 2015. Curated by Academy Award®-winning director, writer, and producer Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Tomorrowland), this engaging, multimedia exhibition showcases Walt Disney as a technological innovator, science fiction storyteller, and futurologist by spotlighting his vision for Disneyland’s groundbreaking Tomorrowland and its complete and revolutionary 1967 rebuild.

Through animated sequences, musical compositions, sound bites, graphics, audiovisuals, vintage posters, and more, Tomorrowland will immerse visitors in the story of Walt’s hopes and foresight for the future.

WALT AND THE MOON FROM “DISNEYLAND” TELEVISION SERIES, CA. 1954; COURTESY OF THE WALT DISNEY ARCHIVES PHOTO LIBRARY © DISNEY.

Exhibitions
Disney and Dalí: Architects of the Imagination
July 10, 2015–January 3, 2016
Guest-curated by filmmaker Ted Nicolaou, this extraordinary, immersive, and enriching experience tells the story of the unlikely alliance between two of the most renowned artists of the twentieth century: brilliantly eccentric Spanish Surrealist Salvador Dalí and American entertainment innovator Walt Disney. Presented through an interactive multimedia experience of original paintings, story sketches, conceptual artwork, objects, correspondences, archival film, photographs, and audio—many of which highlight work from Walt Disney Studios artists Mary Blair, Eyvind Earle, John Hench, Kay Nielsen, and more—this comprehensive exhibition showcases two vastly different iconic figures who were drawn to each other through their unique personalities, their mutual admiration, and their collaboration on the animated short Destino. Although the film was not completed during their lifetimes, the friendship between these two great men nevertheless endured.

Walt’s Circle donors and members at the Friend level and above are invited to the Thursday, July 9 VIP preview. To attend the VIP preview, become a member today.

MORE INFO
Programs and Films
TALK
A Date With Destino
Sat, Sep 5 | 1pm
$18 members | $12 student & youth members | $20 non-members | $15 student & youth non-members
Ted Nicolaou, guest curator of Disney and Dalí: Architects of the Imagination and producer of Dalí & Disney: A Date with Destino and Dave Bossert, Destino Producer, Creative Director, and Head of Special Projects at Walt Disney Animation Studios discuss the making of Destino. Destino began in 1945 as a collaborative project between Walt Disney, John Hench, and Spanish Surrealist painter Salvador Dalí. The animation features music written by Mexican songwriter Armando Dominguez, performed by Dora Luz.

The conversation will be followed by a reception featuring wine tasting of Spanish red varietals.
SALVADOR DALí AND WALT DISNEY, 1957; COLLECTION WALT DISNEY FAMILY FOUNDATION, GIFT OF DIANE DISNEY MILLER; © DISNEY.

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TALK
Crash Course in Surrealism
Sat, Sep 12 | 1pm
$18 members | $12 student & youth members | $20 non-members | $15 student & youth non-members
Surrealism brought the world melting clocks, illogical landscapes, and bizarre visions of the unconscious. In conjunction with the exhibition Disney and Dalí: Architects of the Imagination, John Zarobell, Assistant Professor of International Studies at the University of San Francisco, tackles the entire Surrealist movement in one afternoon.
SALVADOR DALí, STUDY FOR SENTIMENTAL COLLOQUY (1946). © SALVADOR DALí. FUNDACIó GALA-SALVADOR DALI, [ARTIST RIGHTS SOCIETY (ARS)], 2015. COLLECTION OF THE DALí MUSEUM, INC., ST. PETERSBURG, FL, 2015.

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Upcoming Film Screenings
See calendar for times, schedule subject to change
FREE for members or with paid admission
July
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Swiss Family Robinson

August
The Sword in the Stone
Sleeping Beauty

September
Treasure Island
COURTESY OF THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY, © DISNEY.

MORE INFO
Disney and Dalí Film Series
FREE for members or with paid admission
This special film series, presented in conjunction with the exhibition Disney and Dalí: Architects of the Imagination, examines both artists’ relationship to film, to the influence of the Machine Age and the psychological theories of Sigmund Freud upon their work, in order to enhance our understanding of the cultural forces that brought these two iconic artists together.

Alfred Hitchcock’s Spellbound and Destino
Sun, Jul 12, 19 & 26 | 1:30pm

Marx Brothers’ Animal Crackers and Destino
Sun, Aug 2, 16 & 30 | 1:30pm

Silly Symphonies and Destino
Sun, Sep 6, 13, 20 & 27 | 1:30pm
SPELLBOUND,1945; © ABC

MORE INFO
Special Events
TEACHER PROGRAM
Storytelling in the Presidio
Thu, Jul 23 | 8:30am–4:30pm
FREE for educators
Spend a day discovering rich stories and resources for K-12 audiences in the Presidio of San Francisco. During this full-day program, participants will examine the process of storytelling in animation, conduct research while out on an excursion in the Presidio, and use the information gathered to create their own animated short. Light breakfast and lunch included. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!

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What’s Happening | June 2015 at The Walt Disney Family Museum

JUNE 2015 Exhibitions, Programs, and Events
at THE WALT DISNEY FAMILY MUSEUM

CURRENT EXHIBITION

Lights! Camera! Glamour! The Photography of George Hurrell
Now through Jun 29, 2015

Revel in the golden age of Hollywood through an exhibition of photography from George Hurrell—one of America’s finest photographers, credited with creating the opulent glamour portrait of the 1930s and 40s. See rare and vintage prints of Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Katharine Hepburn, Carole Lombard, and more, including Hurrell’s uncle-in-law, Walt Disney.

SCREENINGS

FILM SCREENING | Alice in Wonderland
Daily in Jun, except every Tue (check calendar for exceptions) | 10:30am & 1:30pm | Theater
FREE with museum admission
Join us in June for family-friendly blockbusters and get lost in Wonderland with Alice.

FILM SCREENING | 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Daily in Jun, except every Tue (check calendar for exceptions) | 4pm | Theater
FREE with museum admission
Join us in June for family-friendly blockbusters and venture into the depths of the ocean for Walt Disney’s first major science fiction film.


TALKS
 

SPOTLIGHT TALK | Walt’s Honorary Degrees
Every Fri, Sat & Sun in Jun (check calendar for exceptions) | 11am, 1 & 3pm | Museum Galleries
With more than 25,000 items in the museum’s collection and galleries brimming with art and artifacts, there is a lot to see and learn. Get the inside story on a select object on view or special exhibition during these short talks given by museum staff members. In June, join us for a brief spotlight on Walt’s honorary degrees, presented to him by some of the most prestigious universities in the country. 

TALK | James Lopez: The Making of Hullabaloo
Sat, Jun 13 | 1pm | Theater
$18 members | $20 non-members | $15 student & youth (ages 17 and under)
Veteran Disney animator and creator James Lopez gives us a glimpse into the fantastical Steampunk world of Hullabaloo and the new creative techniques that were used to bring the characters and their surroundings to life. Join us for an in-depth look into the making of a truly one of a kind project that got started with the help of its fans. 


SPECIAL PROGRAMS

MEMBERS ONLY | Disney and Dali: Architects of the Imagination
Fri, Jul 10 | 10am, noon & 3pm
On Friday, July 10, museum members have a special opportunity to hear from guest curator and filmmaker Ted Nicolaou. Members and their guests will enjoy a behind-the-scenes presentation from Nicolaou in the theater at 10am, noon, and 3pm before touring the exhibition at their own pace. The event is complimentary for members, but does require an RSVP.


CLASSES & ACTIVITIES

WORKSHOP | 2D Animation and Digital World with Kevin Maier
Sat, Jun 13 | 10am–noon | Learning Center
$55 members | $60 non-members | $45 students | limited to 25 students per class | ages 18+
Learn from 2D artist and animator Kevin Maier! Kevin will share his process based in classic traditional animation work techniques, offering insight on a 2D workflow that has evolved to incorporate digital tools. Participants will get a better understanding of the traditional animation process and be able to test out some of these classic techniques, which were established years ago by Walt and his animators.

OPEN STUDIO | Theme Park Design
Every Sat & Sun in Jun (check calendar for exceptions) | 1–4pm | Learning Center FREE with museum admission
Design a theme park model using everyday materials. Be inspired by Disneyland plans to create wild rides, exciting attractions, and exotic lands.

LITTLE OPEN STUDIO | Theme Park
Every Sat, Sun & Mon in Jun (check calendar for exceptions) | 10am–noon | Learning Center
Little Open Studio is a place where little ones and their caregivers can create artwork inspired by exhibitions, ideas, and objects on view at the museum. In June, create a place where anything is possible! Contribute to our collaborative 3D model of an imaginary land where adventure abounds. Use cardboard, clay, and other fun materials to construct the park.

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What’s Happening in April 2015 at The Walt Disney Family Museum

CURRENT EXHIBITION

Lights! Camera! Glamour! The Photography of George Hurrell
Now through Jun 29, 2015

Revel in the golden age of Hollywood through an exhibition of photography from George Hurrell—one of America’s finest photographers, credited with creating the opulent glamour portrait of the 1930s and 40s. See rare and vintage prints of Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Katharine Hepburn, Carole Lombard, and more, including Hurrell’s uncle-in-law, Walt Disney.

SCREENINGS

FILM OF THE MONTH | The Jungle Book
Show times: 1:30 & 4pm daily (check calendar for exceptions) | Theater

FREE with museum admission
Join Mowgli and friends in Walt Disney’s adaptation of a classic children’s story by Rudyard Kipling.

SPECIAL SCREENING | True-Life Adventures Shorts
Sat, Apr 25 | 11am, 2, 3, 4 & 5pm| Theater

FREE with museum admission
As part of the museum’s Family Day on April 25, enjoy nature shorts that are part of Walt Disney’s groundbreaking, award-winning nature documentary series, True-Life Adventures.


TALKS

TALK | How the Glamour Shot Changed Hollywood
Sat, Apr 11 | 1pm | Theater

$18 members | $20 non-members |
During Hollywood’s Golden Age still photographers took breathtaking photos of celebrities that quickly turned them into industry icons.  Author and historian Kendra Bean reveals the secrets behind the craft of the Hollywood glamour shot and why it had such a tremendous impact on the movie industry and its stars. A slide show of famous publicity shots taken by photographers George Hurrell, James Abbe, and Laszlo Willinger is featured. Offered in conjunction with the special exhibition, Lights! Camera! Glamour! The Photography of George Hurrell. Admission to this program is free for students and educators. Register online for your complimentary program ticket. 

TALK | Animation Basics: Lighting
Sat, Apr 18 | 1pm | Theater
$18 members | $20 non-members | $15 youth (ages 17 and under)
Let there be light! As part of our program series covering the basics of animation production that were developed in Walt’s time and continue to be used today, learn about the lighting design and color choices found in animated films and how these key design techniques are used to complement the tone of a scene. Hear from guest speaker Angelique Reisch, lead lighting technical director for Pixar Animation Studios.


CLASSES & ACTIVITIES

OPEN STUDIO | Storyboarding and Animatics
Every Sat & Sun in Apr (check calendar for exceptions) | 1–4pm | Learning Center
FREE with museum admission
In the early 1930s, storyboards were introduced to The Walt Disney Studios to help animators visualize the sequence of events in their stories. Practice drawing your own storyboards to show the action in an animated scene, then turn your drawings into an animatic.

LITTLE OPEN STUDIO | Jungle Fun!
Every Sat, Sun & Mon in Apr | 10am–noon | Learning Center

Little Open Studio is a place where little ones and their caregivers can create artwork inspired by exhibitions, ideas, and objects on view at the museum. In April, transform our Learning Center into a bright and leafy jungle using scenes from The Jungle Book to inspire a magical environment. 

SPOTLIGHT TALK | True-Life Adventures
Every Fri, Sat & Sun | 11am, 1 & 3pm | Museum Galleries

With more than 25,000 items in the museum’s collection and galleries brimming with art and artifacts, there is a lot to see and learn. Get the inside story on a select object on view or special exhibition during these short talks given by museum staff members. In April, join us for a talk on Walt’s groundbreaking nature documentary series: True-Life Adventures

SPECIAL PROGRAM | An Artful Earth Day
Sat, Apr 25 | 10am–6pm | Museum-wide
FREE for ages 17 and under (with paying adult)
Celebrate Earth Day in an artful way with the whole family! Learn a dance with Native American dancer and artist, Eddie Madril, and work with Presidio Trust educators to turn branches, twigs, and other natural park materials into a lively village of habitats in front of the museum.  Learn how animators create environments for their characters, and watch Walt Disney’s award-winning nature documentaries, True-Life Adventures. Complimentary admission for youth ages 17 and under available at museum ticket desk with purchase of full price adult admission.

Schedule (for An Artful Earth Day):
11am, 2, 3, 4, & 5pm | True-Life Adventures screenings | Theatre

Noon–1pm | Eddie Madril, Native American Dancer and Artist \| Theatre
1–4pm | Create with Nature | Front Lawn and Learning Studio
All Day | Animators and Environments Gallery Game | Get yours at the front desk!

SPECIAL PROGRAM | Animation Access! Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Fri, Apr 10 | 3pm doors open, 4pm film starts | ages 14+ | Theater

Sun, Apr 12 | 10am doors open, 11am film starts | ages 13 and under |Theater
Approx. 87 mins
FREE
Animation Access is a series of programs designed to introduce children and young adults affected by autism to The Walt Disney Family Museum. Come enjoy animation, art, and innovation in a welcoming environment. Advanced registration is required, all family members and siblings welcome.

TEACHER PROGRAM | Walt Disney and Modern Artists
Sat, Apr 18 | 10am–2pm | Learning Center
$10 for educators
Learn about Walt’s connections to modern artists, including Salvador Dalí and Diego Rivera, and connect your art curriculum to the art of animation. 

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What’s Happening in February 2015 at The Walt Disney Family Museum

CURRENT EXHIBITION

All Aboard: A Celebration of Walt’s Trains
Now through March 15, 2015

All Aboard: A Celebration of Walt’s Trains explores the influence that railroading had on Walt Disney’s life and work, and how his railroading legacy lives on to this day in Disney films and theme parks around the world. Through rare artifacts, firsthand accounts, archival videos, images, and running model trains, guests will learn how Walt’s passion for trains developed before manifesting itself in Disney short cartoons, feature films, and in Walt’s personal life at home.

UPCOMING EXHIBITION

Lights! Camera! Glamour! The Photography of George Hurrell
Feb 11–Jun 29, 2015

Revel in the golden age of Hollywood through an exhibition of photography from George Hurrell—one of America’s finest photographers, credited with creating the opulent glamour portrait of the 1930s and 40s. See rare and vintage prints of Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Katharine Hepburn, Carole Lombard, and more, including Hurrell’s uncle-in-law, Walt Disney.

SCREENINGS

FILM OF THE MONTH: Disney Academy Award®-winning Films from the 1940s and 50s
Showtimes: 1:30 & 4pm daily (check calendar for exceptions) | Theater
Free with museum admission
Enjoy a screening of select Academy Award®-winning films produced by The Walt Disney Studios between 1949 and 1953. Please check the calendar for a listing of which shorts will be shown each week.
Note: The museum is closed on Tuesdays

TALKS

TALK | George Hurrell: Bringing Glamour to the Stars and Art to Disney
Sat, Feb 7 | 3pm | Theater
$18 members | $20 non-members | $15 youth (17 and under)
Tickets: Members   Non-members
Join us for a look at the life and career of one of Hollywood’s most creative and influential photographers, a man whose prodigious talent helped shape the careers of stars and produce iconic animated commercials: George Hurrell. Guest curator and collector, Dr. Louis F. D’Elia, discusses the highlights of Hurrell’s remarkable work and the connection between Hurrell Productions and The Walt Disney Studios in the early 1950s.

TALK | Animation Basics: ANIMATION
Sat, Feb 28 | 3pm | Theater
$18 members | $20 non-members | $15 youth (17 and under)
Tickets: Members   Non-members
Unlock the mysteries of animation! Join us for the third in a five-part series about the basics of animation production that were followed in Walt’s time and are still applicable today. Part III: ANIMATION (2D) takes a close look at the different steps of traditional animation which have existed since the late 1800s and the key principles of the process.. Layout, pose tests, rough animation, in-betweens, clean-up, and background painting are discussed. Guest speaker: Peter Kelly, senior animator for Lucasfilm/Industrial Light & Magic.

SPOTLIGHT TALKS |  OSCARS®
Every Fri, Sat, and Sun in Feb
11am, 1 & 3pm | Main Galleries
FREE for members or with paid admission.
With more than 25,000 items in the museum’s collection and galleries brimming with art and artifacts, there is a lot to see and learn. Get the inside story on a select object on view or special exhibition during these short talks given by museum staff members. February’s Spotlight Talks will focus on Walt’s Academy Awards and how tho

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The Walt Disney Family Museum to receive Special Achievement Award at the 42nd Annie Awards

he International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, will be honoring The Walt Disney Family Museum at the 42nd Annie Awards™ with a Special Achievement Award for its unique and significant impact on the art and industry of animation. Ron Miller—Walt Disney’s son-in-law and the president of The Walt Disney Family Museum’s Board of Directors—will be attending the award ceremony to receive the honor.

The Annie Awards ceremony will take place at UCLA’s Royce Hall on Saturday, January 31, 2015, and can be viewed online at annieawards.org/watch-it-live.

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Walt’s Trains Exhibition Extended! | The Walt Disney Family Museum

This train has not yet left the station! Due to popular demand, our special exhibition All Aboard: A Celebration of Walt’s Trains has been extended to run through March 15, 2015. Now you have extra time to check out more than 200 artifacts, firsthand accounts, archival videos, images, and model trains running throughout the show. Celebrate the origin of Walt’s passion for trains which developed long before manifesting itself in Disney short cartoons, feature films, at Disneyland Parks & Resorts, and in Walt’s personal life at home.

While you’re here, don’t miss our special Family Activity Area, located on the second floor of the Diane Disney Miller Special Exhibition Hall. Families and their little ones can get hands-on and share their own stories about trains and the journeys they take to new places and new adventures. The All Aboard Family Activity Area is for families and children of all ages, and is made possible with the generous support of Lionel, LLC.

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January 2015: What’s Happening at The Walt Disney Family Museum

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

All Aboard: A Celebration of Walt’s Trains
November 13, 2014–February 9, 2015
All Aboard: A Celebration of Walt’s Trains explores the influence that railroading had on Walt Disney’s life and work, and how his railroading legacy lives on to this day in Disney films and theme parks around the world. Through rare artifacts, firsthand accounts, archival videos, images, and running model trains, guests will learn how Walt’s passion for trains developed before manifesting itself in Disney short cartoons, feature films, and in Walt’s personal life at home.

The Lost Notebook: Secrets of Disney’s Movie Magic
November 26, 2014–January 12, 2015
Go behind the lens with one of the most enigmatic and fascinating characters of early animation: Herman Schultheis. On view from November 26 through January 12, 2015, The Lost Notebook: Secrets of Disney’s Movie Magic shares the special-effects wizardry behind Fantasia, Pinocchio, Dumbo, and Bambi, which was found in covert scrapbooks from this technician who worked at The Walt Disney Studios in the late 1930s.

SCREENINGS

FILM OF THE MONTH: Pinocchio
Showtimes: 1:30 & 4pm daily (check calendar for exceptions) | Theater
FREE with museum admission | Note: The museum is closed on Tuesdays
With the help of a cricket as his conscience, a living puppet sets out to prove himself worthy to become a real boy.

TALKS

TALK | The Disney Effect: Communicating with Autistic Children through Animation

Sat, Jan 10 | 11am | LucasFilm/ILM Premier Theater

$25 members | $30 non-members | $20 youth (17 and under)

Parents and experts in the field of autism have discovered a secret door to communication with children on the autism spectrum: Disney animated films. Hear how these children can learn about life, language, and emotion from favorite Disney characters created during Walt’s time and beyond. Disney historian Jeff Kurtti moderates a discussion about this groundbreaking topic with Ron Suskind, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of Life, Animated; Dr. Bryna Siegel, leading expert in the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders; and Jonathan Freeman, actor in Disney Theatrical productions and the voice of Jafar in Aladdin.

TALK | Glen Keane: From Disney to “Duet”

Sat, Jan 17 | 11am & 3pm | Theater

$18 members | $20 non-members | $12 student/youth

Join us and the San Francisco Film Society as animation master Glen Keane shares his journey of merging art and technology throughout his career. From his early days of being mentored by several of Disney’s “Nine Old Men” to his amazing work at the studio during the animation renaissance of the late 1980s and 90s, Keane has created some of the most indelible animated characters of modern times. Innovation and experimentation have always played a role in his work which he will discuss as he closes his presentation with a look at his first post-Disney project, “Duet.” This program is presented in collaboration with the San Francisco Film Society. Families are encouraged to attend the all-ages-friendly 11am program.

TALK | I’ve Been Working on the Railroad: Building and Running Walt’s Trains

Sat, Jan 24 | 11am & 3pm | Theater

$18 members | $20 non-members | $15 youth (17 and under)

Running a railroad requires a lot of care and craft, especially when that railroad belonged to Walt Disney! Hear from three people who know what it takes to maintain and operate Walt’s trains.

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