Join us for the second All the News That's Fit to Build: Local News Dioramas exhibit and contest in 2026!
How to join the fun:
Find a newspaper article about an event that happened in Oakland or the East Bay.
- Your article can be about anything, as long as it was local!
- This year we're offering extra prizes for three categories:
- The 1951 Award (in honor of the Main Library's 75th Anniversary) - to qualify your article should be related to something that happened in 1951
- The Black Power Award (in honor of the 60th Anniversary of the Black Panther Party) - to qualify your article should be related to the Black Panthers
- The Latinx Heritage Award (in honor of the 60th Anniversary of the Cesar Chavez Branch Library) - to qualify your article should be related to Latinx communities in Oakland
- Be sure your article is from a newspaper, not a blog or website!
- Need help searching? We'll share dates for some formal instruction sessions soon, but feel free to stop by, call, or email any time for assistance.
Make a diorama inspired by the article!
- Maximum height is 6" tall, and maximum base size is 11" x 8"
- Make sure all elements are securely attached. Not sure if it's secure? Try turning it upside down! Give it a shake!
- Do not use batteries, liquids, or materials that are scented, hazardous, or perishable.
- Want to craft with us? Come to the Main Library's craft night on Wednesday, May 20!
Bring your diorama to the library between Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, July 5.
- Drop off in the Oakland History Center or the Magazines & Newspapers Department - both on the 2nd floor.
- Bring a printout of your article with the name of the newspaper and publication date.
- Be prepared to fill out a short entry form.
See the exhibit on the second floor between July 17 - October 3.
Come to the Celebration of Dioramas on October 3 for an awards ceremony and more!
Pick up dioramas at the conclusion of the celebration on October 3, or any time between October 4-18.
Missed the 2025 exhibit? You can still see all the dioramas online!
- Revisit your favorite dioramas from 2025 and read the articles that inspired them in our online exhibit.
2025 DIORAMA WINNERS
All of the dioramas were wonderful, but our judges thought these were the best!
- First Place
- The Most Sweeping Representation of a Historical Event: Houdini Wins Liberty Head-Downward in Air by Sarah Vyeda
- Second Place (and voted the People's Favorite)
- The Most Detailed Reconstruction of a Very Silly Thing: City's Nine Noisy Peacocks Are Sentenced to Life in Coop by Christina Limata
- Third Place
- The Most Relatable and Human: Man Jailed Watching Meteors by Adam Esposito
- Honorable Mentions
- The Best Depiction of Early Oakland Entertainment: A Chance to Brush Up on San Antonio Park History by Samia Khattab
- The Best Depiction of Animal Bravery: Dog Rescues Youth From Shark Attack by Jonathan and Santiago Lemon
- The Best Minimalist Interpretation of the Diorama Challenge: Found Some Silverware by Caroline Haley and Derek Vogel
- The Most Persistently Haunted House: A Mystery Most Foul at Oakland's Clarke Mansion by Courtney Minick
- The Best Drunk Animal Diorama: Seagulls Drunk on Seized Booze Dumped in Bay by Hannah Jenks
- The Best Depiction of a Natural Treasure Saved by Women: Why Save the Bay? -- And Why Not? by Dianne Ayres
- The Crustiest Punk Diorama: Yesterday's Crimes: Gilman Street Mummy Baby by Alison Rose
- Staff Prize (decided by voters)
- The Most Deviously Delicious Diorama: Hey! Hey! Pickler in a Pickle Now Over Pickles by Josephine Sayers
QUESTIONS?
Contact (or stop by) OHC or M&N on the 2nd floor of the Main Library
OHC: 510-238-3222
M&N: 510-238-3176
eanswers@oaklandlibrary.org