Community Calendar

The 96th Michigan Contemporary Art Exhibition continues a rich legacy of showcasing the work of Michigan artists, from talented beginners to accomplished professionals. A competitive show, the Michigan Contemporary presents a look at the issues, themes, and materials inspiring today’s Michigan artists. Featured media include painting, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and installation. A visitor favorite, the exhibition engages, challenges, and inspires conversation.

The 96th Michigan Contemporary Art Exhibition continues a rich legacy of showcasing the work of Michigan artists, from talented beginners to accomplished professionals. A competitive show, the Michigan Contemporary presents a look at the issues, themes, and materials inspiring today’s Michigan artists. Featured media include painting, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and installation. A visitor favorite, the exhibition engages, challenges, and inspires conversation.

"HerStory of Animation: Disney & Beyond is a landmark exhibition showcasing the women who shaped animation history. This groundbreaking exhibition that redefines the history of animation by shining a long-overdue spotlight on the women animators behind classic Disney films. This first-of-its kind exhibition will be premiering May 28 through September 13 at the Muskegon Museum of Art in Muskegon, Michigan.
Spanning more than a century of innovation, from pre-cinematic storytelling traditions to the digital revolution, HerStory of Animation uncovers the essential role of the women who have shaped animation. Visitors will be able to explore production artwork, studio artifacts, rare imagery, and newly uncovered research that reveal the hidden contributions of women whose artistry has long been overlooked.
Among the many women animators featured are:
• Helena Smith Dayton - The earliest known woman animator.
• Lotte Reiniger -The legendary animator/director of the earliest surviving animated feature film.
• Mary Blair - The beloved concept artist behind Disney films such as Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan.
• Lillian Schwartz – The visionary artist who brought animation into the digital age.
• Bessie Mae Kelley – The newly-discovered animator who worked for Bray, Fables and Fleischer Studios, creating the earliest-surviving hand drawn animated films directed by a woman.
The exhibition is curated by Mindy Johnson, award-winning author, historian, filmmaker, and educator. Johnson is a preeminent expert on women’s roles in animation and film history."

The 96th Michigan Contemporary Art Exhibition continues a rich legacy of showcasing the work of Michigan artists, from talented beginners to accomplished professionals. A competitive show, the Michigan Contemporary presents a look at the issues, themes, and materials inspiring today’s Michigan artists. Featured media include painting, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and installation. A visitor favorite, the exhibition engages, challenges, and inspires conversation.

"HerStory of Animation: Disney & Beyond is a landmark exhibition showcasing the women who shaped animation history. This groundbreaking exhibition that redefines the history of animation by shining a long-overdue spotlight on the women animators behind classic Disney films. This first-of-its kind exhibition will be premiering May 28 through September 13 at the Muskegon Museum of Art in Muskegon, Michigan.
Spanning more than a century of innovation, from pre-cinematic storytelling traditions to the digital revolution, HerStory of Animation uncovers the essential role of the women who have shaped animation. Visitors will be able to explore production artwork, studio artifacts, rare imagery, and newly uncovered research that reveal the hidden contributions of women whose artistry has long been overlooked.
Among the many women animators featured are:
• Helena Smith Dayton - The earliest known woman animator.
• Lotte Reiniger -The legendary animator/director of the earliest surviving animated feature film.
• Mary Blair - The beloved concept artist behind Disney films such as Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan.
• Lillian Schwartz – The visionary artist who brought animation into the digital age.
• Bessie Mae Kelley – The newly-discovered animator who worked for Bray, Fables and Fleischer Studios, creating the earliest-surviving hand drawn animated films directed by a woman.
The exhibition is curated by Mindy Johnson, award-winning author, historian, filmmaker, and educator. Johnson is a preeminent expert on women’s roles in animation and film history."

"Curious to learn more about Mary Blair, featured in the HerStory of Animation? Join us for a free film screening: Mary Blair’s Pigments of Imagination! Doors open 15 minutes before showtime at 1:45 PM.
Enjoy the inspirational story of Mary’s life and unique artistic style in a special screening of Mary Blair’s Pigments of Imagination (2025). Produced and edited in-house at The Walt Disney Family Museum, showcases works from the special exhibition, paired with corresponding, iconic Disney scenes. Narrated by animation historian Mindy Johnson, Mary Blair’s Pigments of Imagination includes interviews with Disney artists and experts, along with home video footage of Mary never previously shared with the public. (Runtime: 46 minutes)"

"Curious to learn more about Mary Blair, featured in the HerStory of Animation? Join us for a free film screening: Mary Blair’s Pigments of Imagination! Doors open 15 minutes before showtime at 1:45 PM.
Enjoy the inspirational story of Mary’s life and unique artistic style in a special screening of Mary Blair’s Pigments of Imagination (2025). Produced and edited in-house at The Walt Disney Family Museum, showcases works from the special exhibition, paired with corresponding, iconic Disney scenes. Narrated by animation historian Mindy Johnson, Mary Blair’s Pigments of Imagination includes interviews with Disney artists and experts, along with home video footage of Mary never previously shared with the public. (Runtime: 46 minutes)"

The 96th Michigan Contemporary Art Exhibition continues a rich legacy of showcasing the work of Michigan artists, from talented beginners to accomplished professionals. A competitive show, the Michigan Contemporary presents a look at the issues, themes, and materials inspiring today’s Michigan artists. Featured media include painting, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and installation. A visitor favorite, the exhibition engages, challenges, and inspires conversation.

"HerStory of Animation: Disney & Beyond is a landmark exhibition showcasing the women who shaped animation history. This groundbreaking exhibition that redefines the history of animation by shining a long-overdue spotlight on the women animators behind classic Disney films. This first-of-its kind exhibition will be premiering May 28 through September 13 at the Muskegon Museum of Art in Muskegon, Michigan.
Spanning more than a century of innovation, from pre-cinematic storytelling traditions to the digital revolution, HerStory of Animation uncovers the essential role of the women who have shaped animation. Visitors will be able to explore production artwork, studio artifacts, rare imagery, and newly uncovered research that reveal the hidden contributions of women whose artistry has long been overlooked.
Among the many women animators featured are:
• Helena Smith Dayton - The earliest known woman animator.
• Lotte Reiniger -The legendary animator/director of the earliest surviving animated feature film.
• Mary Blair - The beloved concept artist behind Disney films such as Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan.
• Lillian Schwartz – The visionary artist who brought animation into the digital age.
• Bessie Mae Kelley – The newly-discovered animator who worked for Bray, Fables and Fleischer Studios, creating the earliest-surviving hand drawn animated films directed by a woman.
The exhibition is curated by Mindy Johnson, award-winning author, historian, filmmaker, and educator. Johnson is a preeminent expert on women’s roles in animation and film history."

The 96th Michigan Contemporary Art Exhibition continues a rich legacy of showcasing the work of Michigan artists, from talented beginners to accomplished professionals. A competitive show, the Michigan Contemporary presents a look at the issues, themes, and materials inspiring today’s Michigan artists. Featured media include painting, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and installation. A visitor favorite, the exhibition engages, challenges, and inspires conversation.