×

Celebrating Mickey Mouse

From left, Salem Storybook Museum curator Janis Yereb, former Disney senior artist Richard Theiss and his wife, Hope, gather around a large stuffed Mickey Mouse to promote Mickey at the Museum, a program to salute their Mickey Mouse collections and celebrate Richard Theiss and his life’s work from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Salem Storybook Museum inside the Kent City Center on North Lincoln Avenue. The display also will be open to the public from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday. (Salem News photo by Mary Ann Greier)

SALEM–A free event to salute Mickey Mouse and celebrate one of Salem’s own Disney artists takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Salem Storybook Museum.

Salem resident Richard Theiss recalled growing up on Homewood Avenue and wishing upon the stars about his heart’s desires.

True to the song, his dream at age 7 to work for Disney came true and some of his creations from those days will be on display, a collection of close to 400 pieces featuring Mickey and Disney designs for everything from figurines to floats.

Also on display will be the Mickey Mouse collection of Salem Storybook Museum Curator Janis Yereb, one of the first friends Theiss and his wife Hope made when they returned to Salem after living in Florida and Connecticut.

The evening at the Kent City Center on North Lincoln Avenue will include not only the Mickey Mouse display but also a presentation by Theiss. The display also will be open to the public from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday.

“I have known both Richard Theiss and Janis Yereb for many years. Together they have amassed an impressive collection of Walt Disney’s iconic figure Mickey Mouse. I am grateful that they are sharing their treasures with the community of Salem. I can’t think that there are many people in our society who are not familiar with the beloved character of Mickey Mouse,” museum director Robert Viencek said.

Theiss said the display will include many figurines not available to be seen anywhere else.

“Many of these are one-of-a-kind only, made by Disney senior artists,” he said.

Design sketches for the floats in the Electric Light Parade will be there. One of his favorite figurines, a 6-inch tall Jiminy Cricket Theiss made, will be there. Then there’s the touch of Homewood Avenue that he created for an animated Mickey Christmas display featuring his childhood living room, right down to the crackling fire in the fireplace and the train around the Christmas tree that Mickey just decorated. Made to attract shoppers to the merchandise display at the Disney World Emporium shop, the Christmas scene was so successful that they left it up year-round and Christmas shops were created.

A motivational speaker who uses his experience to urge others to wish upon a star, Theiss has a resume that includes such jobs as former Disney senior artist, writer, scale modeler, program coordinator, special events announcer, musical composer, musician and character voice over artist. He and Hope actually met in Florida and worked together as special events announcers for air shows featuring the Blue Angels, beauty pageants such as Miss Florida World and parades before going to Disney. They wrote, produced and coordinated programs for major events, such as the opening of Epcot Center.

When he and Hope returned to Salem and Yereb learned his background, she invited him to speak to the art students she taught at Salem High School.

A pilot with a penchant for all things aviation, he’s even flown the blimp.

He urged people to come and see the unique display and hear about his Disney adventures shared with Hope.

“We just love to reminisce about it,” he said.

Refreshments will be served.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today