Pixar's Cars creative director to headline free 20th anniversary screening in McPherson

MCPHERSON, Kan. — Jay Ward, franchise creative director at Pixar Animation Studios, will introduce a free 20th anniversary screening of the 2006 film "Cars" at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, in Brown Auditorium at McPherson College, 1608 E. Euclid St. The screening runs until noon and is open to the public. Beforehand, the college's C.A.R.S. Club will host a public Cars & Coffee event on campus from 8 to 10 a.m., where Ward will be available to meet attendees.

According to a biography published by the Walt Disney Family Museum, Ward joined Pixar in 2001 and worked in the art department on "Monsters, Inc." He later helped develop "Cars" as a character team manager and automotive consultant, managed the art department on "Ratatouille" and consulted on Cars Land at Disney California Adventure. His role has since expanded to creative oversight of Pixar legacy-film franchise projects, including experiences, consumer products, interactive media and marketing.

McPherson College credits "Cars" with inspiring a generation of students to enroll in its Automotive Restoration program, which the college describes as the first four-year degree program of its kind. According to official results from the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, students restored a 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet that placed second in the Postwar Luxury class. Pebble Beach called it the first student-led project to earn a class award at the Concours, capping a decade-long effort by McPherson students to exhibit a vehicle there.

Ward will spend two days on campus, including time with students in the Automotive Restoration and Art & Design programs and a private gathering for the campus community, according to the college's announcement. "His career sits at the intersection of cars, art, storytelling, and business, and that makes his perspective incredibly valuable to our students as they consider where their own passion and skills can take them," said Amanda Gutierrez, vice president for automotive restoration and engineering. Details are on the McPherson College event page; call 800-365-7402 with questions about registration, seating or parking.

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