Imagineer Joyce Carlson dies at 84

[ALIASd]

Imagineer Joyce Carlson Dies at 84

AnimationWorldNetwork
January 04, 2008

Legendary artist and model-maker Joyce Carlson, who inked many of Disney's best-known films and helped design "It's a Small World," died Jan. 2 at her home in Orlando, Florida. She was 84.

Carlson began working at Walt Disney Studios as an office assistant in 1944, but within six months moved on to the Ink and Paint department, where she worked on such films as THE THREE CABALLEROS, CINDERELLA, PETER PAN, and SLEEPING BEAUTY. Later, she helped design both the model for the "It's a Small World" attraction, which debuted at the 1964 New York World's Fair, and many of the singing dolls in the ride. She was also instrumental in bringing the ride to Disneyland and other Disney theme parks. After moving to Florida in 1982, she continued to be involved part-time with the maintenance of "It's a Small World" and other Disney World attractions.

Carlson was declared a "Disney Legend" in 2000 and was also honored with a second-floor shop window on Disney World's "Main Street," where a sign reads, "Dolls by Miss Joyce, Dollmaker for the World."

In accordance with her wishes, there will be a private celebration of her life rather than a memorial service. Contributions may be made in her name to the Hospice of the Comforter, 480 W. Central Parkway, Altamonte Springs, Florida.

http://news.awn.com/index.php?ltype=...sitem_no=21856

[ALIASd]

Joyce Carlson, Disney artist behind 'It's a Small World,' dies at 84



Joyce Carlson is shown at 'It's a Small World' at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in 2006. (Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel / March 21, 2006)

Yet she had always considered herself a creative person, and before long she was helping ink Disney's animated films, including Cinderella, Peter Pan and Sleeping Beauty. She was lead ink artist for the 1955 classic Lady and the Tramp.

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• At work Photo

Technology soon reduced the need for ink artists, so she moved on to helping design models for attractions, first for Disney's 1964 World's Fair pavilions, then for Disney theme parks in California, Florida, Paris and Tokyo. She was mentored by Disney's first generation of attractions designers, notably Grace Bailey, Mary Blair and John Hench, and said she felt committed to carrying forward their obsession with detail and precision.

Carlson settled in Central Florida in 1982. She became the first woman in Walt Disney Co. history to reach the 50- and 55-year service milestones. She retired in 2000 but remained active at Disney World on a part-time basis until at least 2006.

Carlson was declared a "Disney Legend," the company's equivalent of a hall-of-fame induction, and earned a commemorative, second-floor shop window along the Magic Kingdom's Main Street U.S.A. The sign there reads: "Dolls by Miss Joyce, Dollmaker for the World."

"What Joyce shared with everyone in the Model Shop was passion," recalled Marty Sklar, executive vice president for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busin...,2147874.story

[Ride Warrior]

Oh no! What a major loss this is to no longer benefit from what has been Joyce's lifelong contributions to film and theme park attraction design. It is some consolation that we know that she live a full and happy life. I will especially remember her whenever I visit It's A Small World.

[k_peek_2000]

Why are all the Imagineer's dying all the sudden =/

[Ride Warrior]

Originally Posted by k_peek_2000

Why are all the Imagineer's dying all the sudden =/

Budget cutbacks are forcing the older imagineers to use cheap off brand batteries in their pacemakers instead of Eveready Energizer or Sears Die Hard.

[Ride Warrior]

I was discussing this thread with my dad. He said that one has to consider that Disney has grown to international proportions. It is far larger and significantly more diversified. Thje ranks of imagineers and other creative talents continue to multiply. Increased numbers of employees means that there will be more deaths. It's a statistical fact of life. Yay Dad!

[Queentitania19]

um... well, that could be true but I think it may have something to do with the fact that the original imagineers are all in their 80's now. I mean, we don't live forever just because we inked Peter Pan. It always makes me sad when we lose one though because if feels like we lose one more link with Walt and the origins of the company. I'm glad to celebrate her life instead of memorialize it. That's the way I'd like it to be for me.

[Ride Warrior]

Originally Posted by Queentitania19

um... well, that could be true but I think it may have something to do with the fact that the original imagineers are all in their 80's now. I mean, we don't live forever just because we inked Peter Pan. It always makes me sad when we lose one though because if feels like we lose one more link with Walt and the origins of the company. I'm glad to celebrate her life instead of memorialize it. That's the way I'd like it to be for me.

Celebrating Joyce Carlson's life and accomplishments is definitely the way to go!

[WDWGirl]

Originally Posted by Queentitania19

um... well, that could be true but I think it may have something to do with the fact that the original imagineers are all in their 80's now. I mean, we don't live forever just because we inked Peter Pan. It always makes me sad when we lose one though because if feels like we lose one more link with Walt and the origins of the company. I'm glad to celebrate her life instead of memorialize it. That's the way I'd like it to be for me.

I agree 100%. Many of the imagineers are already older, but losing one totally feels like losing a main link to Walt - and the Imagineers really are, for the most part, the only living links we have left to the man himself.

- Thank you Joyce Carlson - for contributing to the magic that is Disney.