An Artwork Installation Honoring Chadwick Boseman Was Unveiled Today in Downtown Disney!

It has been almost one month since the tragic passing of actor Chadwick Boseman. The actor, beloved for his portrayal of T’Challa, also known as The Black Panther, died at the age of 43 due to complications of stage IV colon cancer.

Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther ©Marvel

Since his passing, Disney has celebrated the actor’s life and legacy through a television special called Chadwick Boseman: A Tribute for a King on ABC and Disney+. Now, a special tribute has appeared in Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort.

A beautiful artwork installation was added overnight to Downtown Disney, replacing Disneyland’s 65th Anniversary mural adjacent to the former location of ESPN Zone. A special unveiling ceremony took place this morning.

Photo Credit: @nikkolas_smith

The artwork, titled “King Chad,” was painted by artist and former Walt Disney Imagineer Nikkolas Smith, who worked on the upcoming Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure as well as a major children’s hospital initiative. Chadwick Boseman himself was an active participant in this initiative, visiting children who were battling cancer and other illnesses.

Photo credit: @nikkolas_smith

In a statement shared on Walt Disney Imagineering’s Instagram, Nikkolas Smith noted, “Seeing Chadwick’s heart for people in-person, and later discovering his courageous battle with cancer, I was inspired to create this tribute to honor his life and legacy. To us, he was and will always be T’Challa. Long Live the King.”

Photo credit: @nikkolas_smith

You can see this beautiful artwork in person next time you visit Downtown Disney! Downtown Disney’s current hours are 10AM-8PM Monday through Thursday, and 10AM-9PM Friday through Sunday.

Have you been to Downtown Disney since the shopping and dining district reopened in July? Let us know in the comments.