Charita Carter

Photo: Disney ParksMahdi’s involvement with the attraction was previously announced; her first painting is homed at famed restaurant Dooky Chase, which was led by the “Queen of Creole Cuisine” and Tiana inspiration, the late Leah Chase. Combining Chase’s legacy with the artistic sensibilities that Mahdi infuses in her vision of New Orleans, under the guidance of Carter, really speaks to the power of women who are behind Tiana’s new story. Mahdi is the living embodiment of New Orleans’ legacy, which is emphasized in her…

Artist Sharika Mahdi and lead Imagineer Charita Carter.Photo: Disney ParksWe knew that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a re-imagined water ride based on The Princess and the Frog, was coming to Disney Parks—and while it won’t be open for a few more years, it’s already inspired some stunning new art, more of which was unveiled today as part of the company’s celebration of World Princess Week. New Orleans artist Sharika Mahdi and lead Imagineer Charita Carter debuted the new art, featured on the Disney Parks Blog. Mahdi has been…

Image: Disney ParksThe highly anticipated Disney Parks log flume thrill ride re-imagining—inspired by The Princess and the Frog—has officially been named Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. It’s a rebrand of the attraction currently open as Splash Mountain, and it comes in the wake of Disney taking accountability for its problematic handling of slave folklore in 1946's Song of the South, the original inspiration for Splash Mountain.During the recent 2022 Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans, the Disney Parks team unveiled the…