Small Scenes, Big Stories: Forest Park Dioramas

The Historical Society of Forest Park, the Forest Park Review and the Forest Park Public Library are teaming up for a fun historical project this year. 

Have you ever found an old newspaper article that was so good you needed to share it with the world? We are asking the Forest Park community to make a historical diorama illustrating a historical article from the Forest Park Review. 

Join us on March 8 at 2 pm for the kickoff event Small Scenes, Big Stories: Forest Park Dioramas Kickoff Program at the Forest Park Public Library. Click here to sign up. (You do not need to attend the kickoff event to participate.)

Look through the Forest Park Review database to find a local news article that inspires you to make a diorama. Your story could be something with great historical or personal significance or something fun. It should be about something that happened in Forest Park, IL. Here are a few examples:

1. 1. Fred Zimmerman Joins the Baby Watcher’s Club 
   2. Robin Decides to Stay Here for the Winter 
   3. Call Off Ball Game Because of Injuries of “Weaker Sex” 
   4. German Shepards To Be In Parade 
   5. Line of March Crowded With Spectators to see Greatest Parade Ever Seen in Forest Park
   6. Travel Books Now Available at the Library

Need help with how to create a diorama? 

• Places to buy supplies and objects for dioramas online: here and here
• Reddit r/dioramas has a couple of supply checklists for people just starting out, here, here, and here, as well as this great index
• Some tutorial video playlists on YouTube here and here

All dioramas should be dropped off at the Library between March 20-25. They will be on display until April 6. 

Step into a tiny take on local history at the Small Scenes, Big Stories: Forest Park Dioramas reception on Thursday, March 26 at 6:30 PM at the Forest Park Public Library.  Get up close with detailed miniature scenes inspired by Forest Park and meet the creators behind them. Community members are invited to cast a vote for the People’s Choice Award, while a judging panel will select winners in three categories:

• Best Storytelling in Miniature
• Most Imaginative Use of Scale
• Craftsmanship & Detail

The judging panel includes Little Perspectives artist Ian Pfaff, Forest Park tour guide and author Amy Binns-Calvey, and Jessica Mordacq, Staff Writer for the Forest Park Review. Come celebrate big creativity in the smallest of scenes.

Sign up here. 

Guidelines

• Maximum diorama height: 18″ x 18”
• Please fill out this form to include background information about the article your diorama is based on. 
• The Historical Society and Library can decide not to display the diorama for any reason. 
• No perishable, toxic or flammable materials. 
• Attach all elements securely.
• Dioramas must be picked up between April 7-13. If not picked up, the diorama will be disposed of. 
• The Historical Society and Library are not responsible for damage of the diorama after it is dropped off for display. 

Questions? Email the Historical Society of Forest Park at forestparkhistory1975@gmail.com.