This year, Animayo Gran Canaria celebrates its 20th anniversary with a landmark event, and Walt Disney Animation Studios is an official sponsor. To mark the occasion, a brand-new exhibition titled Whimsy & Wonder will debut exclusively in Gran Canaria, Spain, offering audiences an unforgettable visual experience
Whimsy & Wonder honors the creative impact of women at Disney who have helped define its artistic legacy for over 100 years. From legendary artist Mary Blair, whose bold use of color transformed animation in the 1950s, to today’s talents behind Frozen, Encanto, and Moana 2, the exhibition is a tribute to the women shaping the past, present, and future of animated storytelling.
For over a century, Walt Disney Animation Studios has used art and observation to build stories that explore the human experience. By studying the work of others and the world around them, Disney’s artists have deepened both their craft and our collective imagination.
One of the most influential figures in this legacy is Mary Blair (1911–1978), an American color stylist and art director whose playful compositions and vibrant palettes set a new visual direction for Disney films in the mid-20th century. Her approach continues to influence today’s top visual artists and directors, including Lorelay Bové, Lisa Keene, Brittney Lee, and Griselda Sastrawinata-Lemay, as well as Josie Trinidad and Fawn Veerasunthorn.
From The Princess and the Frog to the upcoming Moana 2, Whimsy & Wonder features dazzling concept art and designs from the women behind some of Disney’s most beloved animated films.
A Showcase of Talent
The exhibit features six remarkable artists at Walt Disney Animation Studios:
- Lorelay Bové (Spain/Andorra): Visual development artist for Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph, The Princess and the Frog, and associate production designer on Encanto.
- Lisa Keene: Production designer and visual development artist on Wish, Frozen, and classics like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King.
- Brittney Lee: Production designer and visual development artist who gained early recognition for her iconic design work on Elsa’s costume in Frozen, as well as the interior of the character’s ice palace
- Griselda Sastrawinata-Lemay: Visual development artist on Encanto, Moana, Raya and the Last Dragon, and served as associate production designer on Wish.
- Josie Trinidad: Emmy Award-winning director and head of story on Zootopia and Ralph Breaks the Internet.
- Fawn Veerasunthorn: Director of Wish and head of story on Raya and the Last Dragon.
Spotlight on Lorelay Bové
One of the highlights of the festival will be the appearance of Lorelay Bové, who was born in Barcelona and is now considered one of Disney’s most influential visual artists. Her presence at Animayo 2025 is a proud moment for Spain, as she represents the heights Spanish artists can reach within global animation.
At Animayo, Bové will present her work, lead a masterclass discussing her creative journey, and host a portfolio review for up-and-coming artists aiming to enter the industry.
More Than an Exhibit—A Fully Immersive Experience
Whimsy & Wonder goes beyond a traditional gallery show—it offers a full immersion into Disney’s artistic universe through the eyes of some of its most visionary female creators.
From May 7–10, guests visiting Animayo in Gran Canaria will have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore this exclusive exhibition. The event reflects Animayo’s dedication to spotlighting and uplifting female voices in the arts and audiovisual media.
Celebrating Two Decades of Creative Excellence
This exhibition also commemorates a major milestone: Animayo’s 20th anniversary. It’s the only Spanish festival that qualifies for the Academy Awards®, and for the past two decades, it’s served as a hub for creativity, education, and emerging talent.
With Disney on board as a sponsor, Animayo strengthens its role as a cultural bridge across generations and creative communities.
Exhibition Location
Whimsy & Wonder will be on display in the “Manolo Millares & Elvireta Escobio” hall at CICCA (Centro de Iniciativas de La Fundación La Caja de Canarias) in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. CICCA is also a festival sponsor. The exhibit is free and open to the public, with visiting hours from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM and 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
Animayo 2025: A Global Creative Gathering
In addition to the exhibition, the festival will host over 40 world-class guests including artists, creators, and professionals from major studios and academic institutions. Taking place at CICCA and Teatro Guiniguada, the program includes:
- 14 in-person masterclasses (90 minutes each) in animation, directing, production, VFX, and more
- 5 in-depth workshops (4 hours each) on storyboarding, dubbing, character design, and video games
- 15 educational talks, 2 panel discussions, and 3 auteur presentations
- Booths for schools and talent networks
- 18 hours of recruitment events, portfolio reviews, and signing sessions with more than 6 industry companies
This year’s edition is another major achievement for Damián Perea, the festival’s founder, director, and producer, whose mission has always been to “inspire, motivate, learn, and develop talent under the brand ‘The Island of My Life.’”
This mission continues to be supported by sponsors such as the Cabildo of Gran Canaria through the Presidency Department, the Society for the Promotion of the City of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the Department of Tourism, Industry and Commerce of the Government of the Canary Islands through Promotur and from the Canary Islands Institute for Cultural Development (ICDC), Gran Canaria Tourism, the La Caja de Canarias Foundation, and the Government of the Canary Islands.
Once again, Animayo will turn Gran Canaria into a central hub for the animation and media world, offering not only a world-class event but also the island’s mild climate, rich landscapes, and strong connections to European airports.
Animayo’s reach extends beyond the island, with its traveling edition, Animayo Itinerant, taking the program to locations around the globe—such as Los Angeles, Madrid, Barcelona, Prague, Colombia, Mumbai, Brussels, Belgrade, Korea, and more—expanding its impact in both live and digital formats.
Lauren Ashton is a Los Angeles-based writer. She has also taught stop-motion animation and film history since 2020, and holds a BFA in Acting from The California Institute of the Arts. Lauren has previously worked with Walt Disney Imagineering, and since graduating from CalArts, she has worked at Spellbound Inc. (a YouTube Production Company), Gnomon School of Animation, and written plays and sketch comedy for various theaters.
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