Aloha! If you have ever visited Adventureland in Disneyland (California) or Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom (Florida), I am assured that you have experienced and enjoyed the exotic Oceania ambiance. Though there are many amazing individuals responsible for the immersive elements, today we will meet just two of these artists - Robert Van Oosting and Leroy Schmaltz of Oceanic Arts!
MEET THE TIKI GODS : Robert Van Oosting (left) and LeRoy Schmaltz (right) - the two artists (who, sparked by a lifelong love of Pacific Island peoples & cultures) helped introduce the spirit of the islands to the mainland!
“We started with nothing. Perseverance is really important. If you fail at one project, just keep working at it and eventually you’ll have what you’re hoping for.”
-Robert Van Oosting
When he was just nine years old, LeRoy had the privilege to attend art school. By the time he was a young man, LeRoy studying to become an architect, and he began “visiting offices where there would be a sea of people in little…cubicles working on one little facet of something.” LeRoy wasn’t sure he wanted to be confined and bound to a lifelong career like that. It was at this time that LeRoy had begun carving palm frond masks. While developing this hobby into a small lucrative business, he began dreaming of being involved in what he calls “the Polynesian business”. LeRoy was also in college at this time, when he met fellow artist Robert Van Oosting who had similar interests. The two began to work together at this craft, fulfilling orders for their palm frond masks (with their wives assisting them at times).
One day their business caught the attention of Mr. Robert Carter, who had been in the woodcarving business since 1925. Mr. Carter invited the two young men to work for him. Now this was the mid-1950s and the “tiki craze” was in full swing. Mr. Carter would “do business with various restaurateurs”, like actor Stephen Crane - owner and proprietor of the popular Beverly Hills hangout The Luau! Mr. Carter also did some wood carving- related business for Conrad Hilton’s popular hotel chain. But even bigger things were ahead for the small woodworking company!
The other faces of Oceanic Arts - a few pieces from Robert and LeRoy’s authentic Oceania relic collection and some of their derivative work.
Mr. Carter “already had connections to Disney” at this point. Even before Disneyland opened, Walt Disney Studio employees would frequent his shop, and purchase things for studio and personal use. When Mr. Carter moved his business to Westwood, his studio clientele followed. “Pretty soon, we were working for Disney”, recounts LeRoy!
Yes, THAT Rarotonga figure - A few guests take advantage of the popular “vintage” Adventureland photo opportunity!
Photo : The Disney History 101 Collection
Some of you may be old enough to remember this giant tribal figure near the one of the gateways to Adventureland. Perhaps you even took a photograph next to it. LeRoy suspects that the durable figure (which had been stationed inside Disneyland for the first few years), was likely “formed out of mahogany or something of that nature.” He further shares with us, that this “true-life” Rarotonga figure came from Mr. Carter’s personal collection and was carved in Samoa (likely by one of the native artists, at the arrangement of Mr. Carter). The current whereabouts of the original statue are currently unknown. However, a similar one currently stands just beyond the entrance to Oceanic Arts today!
Robert Van Oosting and a miniature Rarotonga figure among other mythological island figures.
From New Orleans to Zermatt - Walt Disney traveled the world and brought experiences home to showcase in Disneyland! Similarly, Robert and LeRoy too made a “big trip” to the South Pacific in search of new cultural experiences and art forms. As Disneyland grew and expanded, there became a greater demand for Mr. Carter’s thematic elements.
Just a few of Robert Van Oosting and LeRoy Schmaltz’ Adventureland (and Frontierland) contributions during Disneylands first decade! Photos : The Disney History 101 Collection.
The Green Barn (their original shop from 1956 - 1964), has been responsible for many Disneyland attractions and concessions - some of which have come and gone. Oceanic Arts provided much signage for corporate sponsored attractions. LeRoy specifically recollects making pieces bearing corporate names and logos of both Adventureland sponsors DOLE and Kikkoman.
Oceanic Arts provided many pieces of decor for the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse attraction and Jungle Cruise queue line. These artistic pieces and artifacts continue to make guests believe that they have entered “a little village clearing far up some tropical river”.
These varied contributions were “one-offs” - tikis and decorations made just for Disney parks and resorts. He remembers just a few types - “carved posts, totem poles, ashtrays”. They also manufactured faux tree branches and stumps which were utilized for concessions and attractions.
Some of Oceanic Arts’ present day Adventureland contributions!
LeRoy carved contribution to Disneyland ambiance are almost too many to count. LeRoy worked on the carved doors of Trader Sam’s bearing a distinct tiki face on each one. He also did some carving for the restaurant next door - Tongaroa Lanai, and provided artifacts and lighting fixtures for both of the tropical establishment’s interior decor. Once in a while, they are called upon to add some artwork to embellish the feel of the restaurants, or antique props used to enhance attractions like The Pirates of the Caribbean. Outside of Disneyland, LeRoy even recounted some film props that Mr. Carter constructed for Walt Disney Studios - their most notable work seen in 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.
During the decades that followed, both Robert and LeRoy worked with about thirty prominent Walt Disney Studios designers who regularly made trips to visit the shop. “Harper Goff came in here all the time, buying stuff. He had a home in Palm Springs and he would cover his tennis courts.” One day he walked into the shop for help on a top secret project. Harper arranged to take LeRoy to Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, where he proceeded to show him a giant model of Walt Disney World in Florida. “He took us around in his little cart, and pointed out all the different things he was working on (and we might do things with). Because of Harper, LeRoy and Robert had the privilege to work on several projects for both the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom and EPCOT Center.
One of the original 1971 Polynesian Resort Village signs utilized to direct guests to specific shops and services.
The Polynesian Village alone was a huge project - with many elements and details required to enhance all of the longhouses in the entire village. Rob and Leroy’s work spanned approximately two years. Besides many elements provided for The Polynesian Hotel, their most noticeable contribution may be the totem poles for the Canada Pavilion. They also made woodworking elements for Morocco, Germany, and Japan.
AN ARCHIPELAGO OF ARTWORK : Can you recognize Robert and LeRoy’s handiwork scattered throughout your local Disney Park?
If you’ve ever walked through the threshold of Trader Sam’s, take a moment to admire LeRoy’s handiwork on the two large doors before you enter. Those doors are some of his most cherished Disney Parks contributions, because they were ones that he was given a great degree of creative control over.
The duo’s initial work on Walt Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort was so fruitful that it enabled them to move into a larger Whittier facility (from 1974 to 1990), before moving to their current location. Oceanic Arts’ artwork reached the North Atlantic shore, when their creations were utilized in Disneyland Paris. LeRoy remembers providing some African inspired masks and shields for their Adventuerland, as well as a carved “American Indian” figure utilized on Tom Sawyer Island.
LeRoy Schmaltz, Robert, and Mr. Carter’s countless contributions finally received appropriate recognition, as the men were honored through a special Disneyland ceremony held inside Trader Sam’s during the park’s 60th Anniversary year!
VISITING OCEANIC ARTS
Visitors are welcome to explore Rob and Leroy’s small museum of South Pacific artifacts. Among the items on display are “vintage stone axes, spears, shields, Kava bowls, masks, and a 27-foot double outrigger canoe from the Palawan Islands” (to name just a few)!
EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP
When you visit Disneyland in California, you will no doubt take a souvenir of your experience home with you. If this is the case, plan to make a detour through neighboring Oceanic Arts in Whittier. You’ll find plenty of authentic Oceania art reproductions as well as Oceania derivative arts and crafts available for sale. The best part is that many of these tikis, shields, masks, and paddles were carved by the very men who created many exotic thematic elements of your favorite Disney Parks lands!
MAHALO! We hope you enjoyed your adventurous preview tour of Oceanic Arts!
While the announcement to permanently close Oceanic Arts (as of November 24, 2021) there will always be a fondness for Robert, LeRoy, their apprentices, and all the Show Quality enhancing contributions they made toward both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resorts.
Aloha, Robert Van Oosting and LeRoy Schmaltz!