Disney Art Classics Unveils New Work

BURBANK, Calif.--Walt Disney Art Classics is kicking off the new year with a variety of new figurines and releases. Among them are two new Pooh & Friends figurines for Easter and Mother's Day."A tisket, a tasket, a Poohish sort of basket" features Pooh dressed in an Easter Bunny costume. The hand-painted figurine is made of fine bisque porcelain. "Moms grow everything with love" shows Pooh leaning on a honey pot filled with flowers. The words "Sweetest Mom" are painted on the honey pot.

Also from the Pooh & Friends collection is "Small, but sincere," which depicts Eeyore receiving his very first Valentine. In addition to this release, Pooh & Friends has several other figurines for Valentine's Day, including:

* "Bee Mine," which shows Winnie the Pooh;

* "Big hearts come in small packages," which features Piglet;

* "Your smile makes my heart bounce" which shows Tigger making a giant homemade Valentine.

The year 2001 marks what would have been Walt Disney's 100th birthday. As a tribute, the Walt Disney Collectors Society is introducing its first sculpture of Walt Disney. Sculpted by renowned Disney artist Kent Melton, it is available as a special edition to Walt Disney Collectors Society members who join or renew for 2001. The inspiration for the sculpture is a 1950s photograph from the Disney Archives. The piece is titled "It Was All Started by a Mouse" in honor of Disney's favorite saying about his famous creation.

The Walt Disney Collectors Society has also introduced four additional members-only pieces for 2001, including:

* Membership Girl Sculpture: All 2001 members will receive "Little Charmer," which captures the ever-popular Tinker Bell, as their Membership Gift Sculpture. Also as a special benefit, an exclusive display base will be available for purchase by members who join or renew by April 30.

* The 2001 "Animators' Choice" Sculpture pays tribute to animation pioneer, Bill Tytla, with a heartwarming scene of Dumbo and his mother. The classic film celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2001, and the Society presents a sculpture, available this spring. "Baby Mine" features a gold-painted 60th-anniversary backstamp along with the Animators' Choice designation.

* The 2001 Society Ornament will feature Cleo and Figaro from Pinocchio. The release, entitled "Perfect Kiss," marks the first time Cleo the goldfish has been featured in the Collection.

* Year 2001 Society members will also have the opportunity to purchase an exclusive sculpture of Nana, the devoted pet and "nursemaid" from Peter Pan. The sculpture completes the current Peter Pan scene available from the Walt Disney Classics Collection, which features Wendy, John and Michael in the nursery.

* And finally, the Society will introduce Scar from The Lion King as its fifth release in "The Disney Villains Series." The sculpture will be available exclusively to 2001 Society members in the fall of 2001.

In honor of the 10th anniversary of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the Walt Disney Classics Collection has created a special event sculpture of Belle, entitled "Dreaming of a Great Wide Somewhere," which will be available at special events hosted by participating retailers worldwide from March 3 to 31.

As part of the special events, dealers will also participate in a Beauty and the Beast pin set promotion. Enclosed in every Belle sculpture box will be an enameled pin of Belle and the Beast dancing. The pin complements a three-piece Beauty and the Beast pin set, which will be available with the purchase of any sculpture at participating dealers. The promotion will continue in May with two new pins, which will be packaged inside upcoming sculptures. All six pins will fit together in a pin set case.