New and Returning Artists Coming to 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

With the new year approaching, it’s time to mark your calendar for the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. Returning Jan. 16 through Feb. 23, 2026, at Walt Disney World Resort, the festival is a global celebration that blends culinary, visual, and performing arts to create an experience that is truly magical.

This year’s festival will feature a lineup of artists that will immerse you in beautiful artwork filled with color, expression, and inspiration. I’m excited to share some of the new and returning talent coming to the festival and showcase some of their amazing art pieces:

Rosana Iarusso was born and raised in Mount Vernon, New York. Like most artists, her journey started the minute she could hold a pencil. Drawing in her Snow White-decorated room or creating art while watching her very worn-out VHS tape of The Little Mermaid, her love for Disney and art grew in tandem.  

Currently, she is working as a Senior Character Artist for Disney Consumer Products mainly drawing Disney Princesses and their sidekicks, Tinker Bell, Minnie Mouse, and many other beloved characters. When she isn’t working, she loves to try out new mediums.

Darren Wilson is a Senior Manager of Graphic Design for Disney Parks, Products and Experiences, and has spent 26 magical years with The Walt Disney Company, creating award-winning designs and creating exclusive works of art through the Art of Disney galleries.  

He is responsible for creating creative content for feature films such as: Disney and Pixar’s Coco, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales; live action films including Pinocchio, Peter Pan, The Lion King, and Aladdin. He currently designs for Disney Consumer Products and Disney Parks.

Yesenia Moises is an Afro-Latina author, illustrator, and toy designer known for her colorful picture books. After graduating from the internationally renowned Fashion Institute of Technology with a BFA in Toy Design, she embarked on a journey to use her colorful and whimsical designs to create wonder and magic for young readers.

Her original picture book has wowed readers around the world. Her trademark use of color, curls, and charisma creates a special brand of Afro Fantasy that she’s lent to publishers, toy companies, and television studios.

Dave Perillo is an illustrator and designer based out of the Philly ‘burbs. With the help of a drawing book, and hours of cartoons, he doodled his way through school to college to study graphic design. His first position was as an illustrator in the glamorous world of medical publishing.

After countless drawings of dancing kidneys and otoscopes, he felt a need to feed his creative juices and began to create his own pop culture inspired art. This path launched him into a world of comic conventions, art galleries, and freelance design. His retro art style developed from his love of the mid-century modern aesthetic and is inspired by numerous legends.

Jerrod Maruyama is a freelance illustrator specializing in cute character concepts and design. He earned a degree in Illustration from San Jose State University and began his career as an art director in the children’s educational software industry.

Since becoming a full-time freelance artist, Jerrod has worked for several industry leaders in the entertainment and toy world, bringing his distinct brand of cute to popular characters and properties.

Joining the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts for his sixth year, Dylan Bonner is an illustrator based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He started creating artwork when he was a child after being completely enamored with the Walt Disney Classic The Little Mermaid.

Since 2017, he has worked on the Disney Princess property across several forms including comic books, toys, Consumer Products, and now, Fine Art.

Josey Tsao is an illustrator based in Los Angeles, California, creating artwork inspired by stories both real and imagined. From working as a Concept Designer for theme parks to a Background Painter in animation, she finds joy in using illustration to tell stories of people and places.

She has had the pleasure of working with Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney Publishing Worldwide, Disney Yellow Shoes, Disney’s WonderGround Gallery, and more.

Yes, a selection of artists will be signing their pieces throughout festival! Be sure to visit the Artist Portal for dates and timing.

You can meet artists all around the park! For all the details about the many talented artists appearing at this year’s festival, be sure to visit the Artist Portal for updates.

Yes, there are over 200 new pieces of artwork being created for this festival – some of which will be created before your very eyes! Stop by CommuniCore Hall Plaza to see canvases come to life with the help of an onstage visual artist as they paint your favorite Disney characters.

The fun never stops at EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, with engaging, creative experiences happening around every corner!  

One highlight I’m especially excited about is the Animation Academy at the America Gardens Theatre. In this interactive session, you and your family have a front row seat as a Disney animator guides you step by step in bringing a beloved character to life!  

Another must-do, and one I never miss at the Festival is The Expression Section: A Paint by Number Mural. It’s such a fun way to be a part of something bigger. Once you’ve painted your squares, you’ll get to take a step back and see a beautiful scene that you helped create.  

And don’t forget to look down! The Chalk Art Galleries turn EPCOT’s walkways into living canvases, where artists bring incredible creations to life right before your eyes. Who knows, maybe your favorite character will be their muse.

That’s just a handful of fun that you can experience! Visit the Festival page on DisneyWorld.com for all the elements on art-related offerings and more.

For more information about all the visual arts, culinary arts, and performing arts you can explore during the 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts included in your theme park admission to EPCOT, check out Disney Parks Blog.