The Epcot Festival of the Arts offers guests a variety of opportunities to channel their inner artist! Throughout the Festival’s run, Complimentary Seminars focus on the Performing, Visual, and Culinary Arts, just like the Festival itself.

Complimentary Seminars take place daily in the Odyssey Festival Showplace from 11:30AM-12PM (unless otherwise noted). These seminar offerings (which are included with admission to Epcot) change daily.

2019 Complimentary Seminars

See all complimentary seminars here!

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019
One Little Spark:Finding the Figment Inside of YOU!
Presented by Jason “Tiki” Tackett, Digital Artist & Walt Disney World Cast Member, Former Contributing Artist for the Disney Parks Blog and Disney’s Virtual Magic Kingdom
Join Disney Artist Jason “Tiki” Tackett on an art-filled ‘magic journey’ as you learn how the sparks of inspiration you collect every day can be used to create tangible connections to life’s most magical moments in the form of your very own ‘Figments’!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019
Practically Poppins in Every Way
Presented by Jeff Kurtti, author of “Practically Poppins in Every Way: A Magical Carpetbag of Countless Wonders

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2019
The Art of Disney Fonts, Lettering & Signage

Presented by Richard Terpstra, Graphic Designer, Disney Design Group
Learn how Disney Imagineers use fonts, lettering and signage to help tell a story within the Disney Parks and Resorts.

MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2019
Photography 101 –Shooting Spectacular Fireworks
Presented by Jeff Nickel, Disney Photo Imaging
This seminar will discuss how to capture the sparkles and splendor of fireworks, what gear to use and a few tips and tricks on how to capture shots with a BANG!

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019
The Art of Pixelating
Presented by Lori Mangione, Silly Rabbit Crafts, Orlando, FL
Join Lori Mangione (www.sillyrabbitcrafts.com) as she demonstrates how to use akid’s craft to make astounding images reminiscent of retro 8-bit art.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2019
Fundamentals of the Art of Audio-Animatronics Animation
Presented by Doug Griffith, Walt Disney Imagineer
Learn some of the simple artistic fundamentals behind making Disney’s Audio Animatronic figures come to life.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019
The Art of Cosmetology
Presented by Guerlain
Representatives from Guerlain will present today’s latest trends in cosmetology, skin care and fragrances.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019
Eat Like Walt
Presented by Marcy Smothers, author of “Eat Like Walt”
Learn the art of how to entertain and Eat Like Walt. Traditions from the Disney home and family table.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2019
The Music of John Williams and Hans Zimmer
Presented by Charles Griffin, Founder of the Central Florida Composers Forum and Music Production Course Director at Full Sail University
A comparison and contrast of the music of two titans of the film music industry.

SUNDAY, JANUARY, 27, 2019
Watermelon Carving
Presented by Stephanie Barlow, National Watermelon Promotion Board
Watch as a watermelon is artfully carved and take away some tips and tricksthat you can use at your next party!

MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2019
Hobby Rockers
Presented by Dave and Beth Librande, Dave & Beth’s Hobby Rockers, Orlando, FL
Learn about the art of carving animal rockers out of wood.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019
TBA

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019
1:30PM
What Does it Take to Get the Right Shot?
Presented by Simone Amaduzzi, Simone Amaduzzi Photography
Learn what it takes to get the right shot from an international photographer!

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019
From Animated Films to Theme Parks
Presented by Lon Smart, Creative Concept Artist, Disney Entertainment
Disney animator and Live Entertainment Imagineer teaches us how to bring the Disney Stars to life and how they are used in the theme parks.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2019
It’s All in the Details: The Art of the Prop and Its Role in the Story
Presented by Kristen Zeigler, Set Decorator, Walt Disney World® Resort
Come discover the art of the prop and the role they play in bringing the story to life at Disney Parks and Resorts.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2019
Upcycling for Theater
Presented by Jovon Harkless, Local Artist
Learn the techniques used by prop masters to transform objects and decor into whatever look is required for a production, while staying within budget!

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2019
Disney Store Design
Presented by Becky Browne Allen and Ashley Provenzano, Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Parks Store Designer
Learn how Walt Disney World® Resort Store Designers incorporate the science of store planning with the art of retail design to produce world class stores

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019
It’s All in the Details: The Art of the Prop and Its Role in the Story
Presented by Kristen Zeigler, Set Decorator, Walt Disney World® Resort
Come discover the art of the prop and the role they play in bringing the story to life at Disney Parks and Resorts.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2019
The Artistry of June KimPresented by Eujung (June) Kim, Disney WonderGround Gallery Artist
Disney WonderGround Artist Eujung (June) Kim will share her journey of becoming an artist.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019
Journey into Dance
Presented by Shane Jewell, Executive Director of the Orlando Ballet and Robert Hill, Artistic Director of the Orlando Ballet
Learn all about dance from the basic techniques, what it takes to be a professional dancer and the process of putting on a ballet production.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019
What Does it Take to Get the Right Shot?
Presented by Simone Amaduzzi, Simone Amaduzzi Photography
Learn what it takes to get the right shot from an international photographer!

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019
Pop Up Books
Presented by Matthew Reinhart, author

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2019
Upcycling for Everyday Uses
Presented by Jovon Harkless, Local Artist
Learn how to unlock your creative potential for interior decorating as you learn techniques for transforming bargain-store finds into home decor treasures.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2019
Disney Store Design
Presented by Becky Browne Allen and Ashley Provenzano, Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Parks Store Designer
Learn how Walt Disney World® Resort Store Designers incorporate the science of store planning with the art of retail design to produce world class stores

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2019
Stories from a National Parks Painter
Presented by Patricia Cummins, 12 Time National Park Artist-in-Residence
Join Patricia as she presents artwork from her National Park Residencies and shares stories of her experiences.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2019
One Little Spark:Finding the Figment Inside of YOU!
Presented by Jason “Tiki” Tackett, Digital Artist & Walt Disney World Cast Member, Former Contributing Artist for the Disney Parks Blog and Disney’s Virtual Magic Kingdom
Join Disney Artist Jason “Tiki” Tackett on an art-filled ‘magic journey’ as you learn how the sparks of inspiration you collect every day can be used to create tangible connections to life’s most magical moments in the form of your very own ‘Figments’!

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019
Geisha: Artists of the Floating World
Presented by Emily Murphy, Maneki Geiko
An introduction to the traditional Japanese arts used by Geishas. This seminar willcover a few of the most recognizable aspects including kimono, hair and makeup.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019
TBA

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2019
Watermelon Carving
Presented by Stephanie Barlow, National Watermelon Promotion Board
Watch as a watermelon is artfully carved and take away some tips and tricksthat you can use at your next party!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2019
1:30PM
The Music of Danny Elfman and Michael Giacchino
Presented by Charles Griffin, Founder of the Central Florida Composers Forumand Music Production Course Director at Full Sail University
A look at how the experiences of writing pop music and music for fames plays into the craft of two mainstays of the film music industry.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2019
So You Want to be a Disney Artist
Presented by Lon Smart, Creative Concept Artist, Disney Entertainment
Questions & Answers……..

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019
3D Storytelling at Walt Disney World
Presented by Steve Probus, Set Decorator, Walt Disney Imagineering
Learn about 3D storytelling with the use of props and decorating at Walt Disney World with side notes about our inspiration.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019
The Art of the Disney Topiary
Presented by Debbie Mola-Mickler, Area Manager, Disney’s Horticulture
Learn more about the art and history of Disney’s topiaries as an essential ingredient andtheimportant role they play within creating fantasies at Disney

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2019
Fundamentals of the Art of Audio-Animatronics Animation
Presented by Doug Griffith, Walt Disney Imagineer
Learn some of the simple artistic fundamentals behind making Disney’s Audio Animatronic figures come to life.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019
TBA

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Discussion with Author and legendary Disney Animator
Presented by John Pomeroy

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019
Seeing Sound & Painting Music
Presented by Christina Eve, Christina Eve Art
Hear from Christina as she tells the story of her artwork that depicts what it is when she hears particular music.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2019
The Art of Disney Merchandise
Presented by Fabiola Garza, Character Artist for Walt Disney Imagineering Merchandiseand Richard Terpstra, Graphic Designer for Walt Disney Imagineering Merchandise
See how Disney Character Artists and Graphic Designers work creatively together to helpbring magic to Disney Park merchandise.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2019
Floral Crowns
Presented by the Creative Team of Alice’s Table
Learn the basics of how to make floral crowns.

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