Heart Sculpture Honoring Disney Gets Visit from Special Guests
Several weeks ago, Rockhurst University was revealed as the host of one of the stops on the KC Parade of Hearts, an annual public art event in which local artists design large sculptural hearts that highlight history and culture of the KC community for display at local landmarks and businesses.
Finding and taking selfies or photographs at each of the 150 hearts (they stretch from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Lawrence, Kansas) has become a local pastime in the years since the first parade. This year, Rockhurst University is hosting “The Heart of Bellefontaine” near Mabee Chapel at the campus entrance on the corner of 54th Street and Troost Avenue. Created by Jacob Luke, the heart is shaped like a steering wheel for a steamboat and is painted with black and white images adapted from “Steamboat Willie,” a 1928 short cartoon by Walt Disney that was the public debut of the Mickey Mouse character. Bellefontaine refers to the street in Kansas City where Disney spent part of his early childhood. Laugh-O-Gram, an early animation studio Disney founded, was also located in Kansas City.
It’s already been subject to visitors stopping to take photos at the heart. On Thursday, it was host to two special guests — Charles and Dan Disney, two of Walt Disney’s nephews, who live in the Kansas City region and were seeing the heart inspired by their uncle’s iconic work for the first time.
“It was a real surprise and a thrill to see that,” Charles said. “Uncle Walt would be very proud.”
Luke, the artist, was also there to meet the brothers. He said it was an honor to show them his work and to be able to share this piece of Kansas City history with the community.
“Growing up in Kansas City, I've always known a little bit about the history of Walt Disney here,” he said. “The trademark for this particular movie came up two years ago, so this seemed like an opportunity to showcase that connection.”
Charles said he is connected to Rockhurst University through the Greenlease family, who were supporters of institution and who are the namesake for both the University’s library and its art gallery. The two brothers have since developed a relationship with University leadership, including President Sandra Cassady, Ph.D. Given that relationship and the love they have for Kansas City and the institution, it’s only fitting the Disney-themed heart reside at Rockhurst.
“I don't believe it's a coincidence that Steamboat Willie is on that heart, and that that heart is where it’s at,” he said.
