The American Heritage Gallery in the American Adventure Pavilion of EPCOT is now closed to make way for the “Portraits of Courage” exhibit by President George W. Bush.
American Heritage Gallery
The gallery doors are closed and a sign reads “Exhibit Unavailable.” Panels cover the old display cases to either side of the doors.
Since July 2018, the gallery has housed the exhibit “Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art,” which displayed “authentic, historical Native artifacts alongside contemporary works of American Indian art — demonstrating examples of cultural traditions which have been handed down through generations.” The collection was made in collaboration with the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington, D.C.
“Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors” will feature over 60 oil paintings by President Bush. The paintings depict service members and veterans who have served in military uniform since 9/11. Each piece is accompanied by the story of the subject, written by President Bush. The exhibit initially debuted in 2017 at the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the SMU campus in Dallas, Texas.
According to Cast Members at The American Adventure, artwork in the rotunda will also be replaced with “Portraits of Courage” paintings.
These unique paintings were created by Walt Disney Imagineering for The American Adventure. We don’t know if all or just some of the paintings will be replaced, or when they might return.
The American Heritage Gallery lists hours beginning on Friday, June 7. Disney previously stated “Portraits of Courage” will have its grand opening on Sunday, June 9.
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