LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Epcot World Showcase has
been a "showplace" of nations since its grand
opening in 1982. But beyond the pagodas in Japan and
the longboats in Norway lies a whole other world,
treating art lovers to museum-quality galleries.
Since early galleries in Japan and Morocco, the
opportunities for art appreciation have grown with
the addition of galleries in Norway, Mexico, and
most recently, The American Adventure pavilion.
Here's a look at the inspiring exhibitions (all
included with the price of admission) Epcot
currently has to offer:
THE AMERICAN ADVENTURE
Echoes of Africa Walt Disney-Tishman Art
Collection
Exhibition located in the American Heritage Gallery.
The American Heritage Gallery inaugural
exhibition, Echoes of Africa, features pieces from
the Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection and
explores the link between historical African art and
its influence upon contemporary African-American
artists. According to experts, the study of this
collection has contributed to some anthropological
breakthroughs in our understanding of African
culture.
NORWAY
The Vikings: Conquerors of the Seas (NEW)
Exhibition located in the Gol Stave Church Gallery.
In Norway's Gol Stave Church Gallery, the ancient
world of the Vikings is brought to life through a
rare collection of Viking artifacts, including some
that date back more than 1,000 years. This special
exhibit also includes vignettes depicting three
Norwegian Viking leaders: Erik the Red, King Olaf
and Rögnvald the Raider, and a detailed scale model
of the 9th century Viking ship Oseberg,
providing a glimpse into Viking culture and these
individuals who helped shape history.
The Vikings: Conquerors of the Seas is held
within a small reproduction of a Stave Church, where
guests may experience the history and legend of
these seafaring Scandinavian warriors, ship builders
and explorers, while viewing swords, arrow points,
and other significant artifacts found in Norwegian
archaeological sites.
CHINA
Tomb Warriors Guardian Spirits of Ancient
China (NEW)
Exhibition located in The Gallery of the Whispering
Willow adjacent to Reflections of China.
In ancient Chinese civilization, members of the
royal dynasty carried miniature terra cotta or stone
carved warriors with them in their tombs to protect
them from supernatural threats. At the gallery
inside the China pavilion, guests glimpse a
miniature recreation of the tomb of China's first
emperor, which is the single largest archeological
find in the world. Epcot guests also have the
opportunity to see authentic tomb sculptures from
Ancient China -- dating back 2,000 years to the Han
Dynasty.
JAPAN
Tin Toy Stories Made in Japan
Exhibition located inside of the Japanese castle.
What do robots, astronauts, Godzilla and Mickey
Mouse have in common? They're all immortalized as
tin toys, once the favorite kind of toy for children
all around the world and especially in Japan during
the 1950s. Tin Toy Stories showcases many of these
colorful toys that are now considered to be iconic
of Japan's modern mass-market society.
Many of the tin toys featured in this exhibit are
on loan from Turuhisa Kitahara, known for being the
world's greatest collector of tin toys. Kitahara has
seven toy museums in Japan that contain nearly
50,000 tin toys, earning him the title of Japan's
Tin Toy Master.
MEXICO
Animalés Fantásticos Spirits in Wood
Exhibition located in the pyramid's Mayan Ceremonial
Hall.
In Mexican villages surrounding the city of
Oaxaca (Wa-HAH-ka) gifted artisans create
woodcarvings of animals, humans and mythical
creatures. These carvings, known as animalés
fantásticos (fantastic animals), are a modern
Mexican folk art that mixes traditional with
contemporary themes. This modern version of Oaxacan
woodcraft began less than fifty years ago.
In the Mexico pavilion guests can examine these
brightly colored representatives of Mexican culture,
past and present. The carvings are divided by the
following categories: Los Comienzos (The Beginning),
Fiestas (Festivals), El Mar (The Sea), La Tierra
(The Land), El Folklor (Folklore), Amigos (Friends),
Los angeles y los santos (Angels and Saints) and El
día de los muertos (Day of the Dead).
MOROCCO
Gallery of Arts and History Traditional
Arts of Morocco
Exhibition located next to the Fez house.
A part of the Morocco pavilion for twenty years,
the Gallery of Arts and History continues to evoke
visions of Morocco for Epcot guests. Mosaic art,
defined by its balance of geometry and philosophy,
decorates the gallery's walls and ceiling. Skillful
Maalems (Morrocan artisans) traveled to Epcot to
help recreate their homeland and created these
exquisite tiles. The building also features
beautiful stained glass doors and lamps and
intricately sculpted ceilings.
The Gallery of Arts and History displays ceramic
pottery, ancient musical instruments and
artisan-crafted jewelry. The Moroccan ceramics are
distinguished by their intermingling of floral and
geometrical designs.
About Epcot
Epcot allows guests to travel to four continents and
explore land, sea and even outer space adventures --
all in one vacation. Epcot, the theme park of
discovery, features two "worlds": Future World, a
land where technology meets imagination; and World
Showcase, where guests can get a taste of the sights
and sounds of 11 countries. Epcot galleries are
located in World Showcase and are included with the
price of admission.
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