2026 Diorama Contest

Join us for the second 'All the News That's Fit to Build: Local News Dioramas' exhibit and contest in 2026!

How to Enter

1. Find a Local Newspaper Article

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 happened in Oakland or the East Bay! Check the Prizes section below for some optional thematic categories.
Make sure your article is from a newspaper, not a blog or website.

Need Help?

In-depth training: Come to the Search for Treasure in Old Newspapers, opens a new window program on April 18, 2-3:30 PM for a full walkthrough of newspaper search methods.
Drop-in office hours: Stop by our Thursday evening Article Search Office Hours, opens a new window for individual assistance on Thursdays (April 23 through June 18), 5:30-7:30 PM.
Visit us in person: Stop by the Oakland History Center (OHC) or Magazines & Newspapers Department on the second floor of the Main Library with questions any time the library is open.
Contact us: Call 510-238-3222 or email ohc@oaklandlibrary.org with any questions.

2. Make a Diorama

Make a diorama inspired by the article!

Make it small: Maximum height 6 inches, maximum base size 11 x 8 inches.
Make it secure: Ensure all pieces are securely attached. Not sure if it's secure? Turn it upside down! Give it a shake!
Keep it simple: Do not use batteries, liquids, or any materials that are scented, hazardous, or perishable.
Add your article: Your article is part of the exhibit! Bring a printout or copy labeled with the name of the newspaper and the publication date.

Want to craft with us?

Come to the Main Library's craft night, opens a new window on Wednesday, May 20, 5:30-7:30PM!

3. Drop off your Diorama

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 of the Main Library, 125 14th Street.
Your article is part of the exhibit! Bring a printout or copy labeled with the name of the newspaper and the publication date.
Be prepared to fill out a short entry form.
We cannot accept entries by mail.
Don't wait until the last minute! We have limited edition OPL tote bags for the first 15 people who bring in their dioramas.

Prizes & Exhibit

Prizes

All dioramas are in the running for amazing prizes donated by local businesses. This year we're also offering extra prizes for four special categories:

1951 Award: Choose an article related to an Oakland event in 1951 - in honor of the Main Library's 75th Birthday.
Black Power Award: Choose an article related to the Black Panthers in Oakland - in honor of the 60th Anniversary of the Black Panther Party.
Latinx Heritage Award: Choose an article related to Latinx communities in Oakland - in honor of the 60th Anniversary of the Cesar Chavez Branch Library.
Junior Dioramist Award: All entries by creators ages 12 and under are eligible for this award.

See the Exhibit!

The exhibit, opens a new window will be viewable on the second floor of the Main Library between July 17 - October 3.
Dioramas will be photographed for an online exhibit, which will be viewable on this page.
Come to the Celebration of Dioramas, opens a new window on October 3rd for an awards ceremony and more!

After the celebration:

Dioramas will not become a permanent part of the library’s collection, and can be picked up between October 3 (after 3:30) and October 18.

Diorama Events for 2026

Search for Treasure in Old Newspapers

Apr 18th | 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Oakland History Center

Article Search Office Hours, part of a series

Apr 23rd | 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Oakland History Center

View all dates

Adult Arts & Crafts: Making Miniatures for Dioramas

May 20th | 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Main Library

All the News that's Fit to Build: Local News Dioramas

Jul 17th - Oct 3rd | All day

Oakland History Center

Search for Treasure in Old Newspapers

Apr 18th | 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Oakland History Center

Article Search Office Hours, part of a series

Apr 23rd | 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Oakland History Center

View all dates

Adult Arts & Crafts: Making Miniatures for Dioramas

May 20th | 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Main Library

All the News that's Fit to Build: Local News Dioramas

Jul 17th - Oct 3rd | All day

Oakland History Center

2025 Winners

Missed the 2025 Exhibit? Revisit your favorite dioramas from the 2025 exhibit and read the articles that inspired them in our online exhibit., opens a new window

First Place
The Most Sweeping Representation of a Historical Event
Houdini Wins Liberty Head-Downward in Air
Sarah Vyeda

Second Place & People's Favorite
The Most Detailed Reconstruction of a Very Silly Thing
City's Nine Noisy Peacocks Are Sentenced to Life in Coop
Christina Limata

Third Place
The Most Relatable and Human
Man Jailed Watching Meteors
Adam Esposito

Staff Prize
The Most Deviously Delicious Diorama
Hey! Hey! Pickler in a Pickle Now Over Pickles
Josephine Sayers

Honorable Mentions

The Best Depiction of Early Oakland Entertainment
A Chance to Brush Up on San Antonio Park History — Samia Khattab

The Best Depiction of Animal Bravery
Dog Rescues Youth From Shark Attack — Jonathan and Santiago Lemon

The Best Minimalist Interpretation of the Diorama Challenge
Found Some Silverware — Caroline Haley and Derek Vogel

The Most Persistently Haunted House
A Mystery Most Foul at Oakland's Clarke Mansion — Courtney Minick

The Best Drunk Animal Diorama
Seagulls Drunk on Seized Booze Dumped in Bay — Hannah Jenks

The Best Depiction of a Natural Treasure Saved by Women
Why Save the Bay? — And Why Not? — Dianne Ayres

The Crustiest Punk Diorama
Yesterday's Crimes: Gilman Street Mummy Baby — Alison Rose

See all the 2025 Dioramas!