A new exhibit curated by the Walt Disney Archives comes to Fort Worth starting Nov. 14. Here’s everything you need to know.
Disney movies have been a staple in childhood homes for decades. We each have our favorite (mine is “Mulan”), and we have each been impressed, in varying degrees, by the animation used to tell these stories. Now, Fort Worth residents have the chance to take a closer look at how exactly that animation unfolds thanks to an upcoming exhibit at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.
Opening on November 14, “Capturing Life, Creating Character: The Art of Live-Action Reference,” is an exhibition carefully curated and designed by the Walt Disney Archives. It provides guests with a closer look at the process behind how Walt Disney Studios’ animators create each distinctive film. The collection will be located in the museum’s Havener Gallery upstairs and remain on display until February 14, 2027.
A press release from D23 notes that the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History will be just the second museum to ever host this exciting exhibit. Currently, “Capturing Life, Creating Character” is being shown at Anaheim, California’s Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center. It’s a unique opportunity for Disney fans—or art lovers in general—to watch the creative process of some of the best animators in the world.
Disney’s artists study human interactions, movement, and expressions to finely hone their designs. Activities and collections from the Walt Disney Archives show how exactly these studies then inform the way drawings are created. Included in the exhibit are videos, photographs, objects, interactive pieces, documents, an audio guide, and photo opportunities to create a more immersive experience.
Additionally, “Capturing Life, Creating Character” shows how animators use visual references like sets, props, and live-action performers to make expressions and movements seem as lifelike as possible for Disney’s beloved characters. An interactive experience will also be included that allows guests to use toy dolls to examine how different body movements, like running, spinning, and falling, affect the way fabric and hair moves.
Another visual element shows scenes from classic Disney movies alongside the real-world references used by animators to bring those scenes to life. The Senior Manager of Exhibitions & Loans for Walt Disney Archives, Jesse Cannady, said in D23’s press release that the company is thrilled to offer this experience to Fort Worth residents.
Cannady wrote, “Nearly 90 years ago, ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ redefined animation through groundbreaking creativity, innovation, and storytelling. Today, the Walt Disney Archives is proud to bring its newest exhibition to Fort Worth, celebrating the pioneering use of character reference that helped bring Snow White and countless beloved films to life, and continues to inspire Disney animation to this day. Together with the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, we look forward to sparking curiosity and imagination in visitors of all ages.”
How to get your tickets
“Capturing Life, Creating Character: The Art of Live-Action Reference” is on display at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History between November 14, 2026 and February 14, 2027 (and during the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo). It’s supported by the Walt Disney Archives and the Fort Worth Promotion and Development Fund.
Entrance to the exhibit is included in the cost of membership or admission to the museum. Tickets cost $14 for seniors (65+), $16 for adults (12-64), and $12 for children (3-11). Children under two years of age are admitted for free. Tickets can be purchased at the museum on the day of your visit or you may grab yours in advance by clicking here.
The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. For additional information, including the museum’s policies, visit https://www.fwmuseum.org/.
