Dollmaker For the "World" Passes




by Scott Powers
Orlando Sentinel's Tourism Central Florida
January 3, 2008

Walt Disney Co. artist Joyce Carlson, whose work ranged from coloring the lead characters of Lady and the Tramp to creating many of the doll characters for Disney’s It’s a Small World attractions, died Wednesday at her home in Orlando. She was 84.

Carlson began her career with Walt Disney Productions in 1944 as an office assistant, but moved on to ink animated movies, then to create models for Disney's 1964 World's Fair pavilions and worldwide theme park attractions. She settled in Central Florida in 1982 and 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."

When I spoke to her in 2006 she spent much of her time telling stories of working under and learning from Disney legendary designers Mary Blair, Grace Baily and John Hench. From them, she said, she learned to be obsessive about detail and precision, then she tried to pass those obsessions on to Disney's next generation.

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

Carlson is survived by her sister Veryl Jones, of Tampa; two nieces, Kathy Kibby of Arizona and Nancy Dempsey of North Carolina; and numerous great- and great-great nieces and nephews.

A private celebration of her life has been planned. Contributions may be made in Joyce’s name to the Hospice of the Comforter, 480 W. Central Parkway, Altamonte Springs.