March is National Diorama Month, and for the last decade, D Kirschling has made sure it's recognized in Milwaukee with Diorama-RAMA, a contest and social event in which artists create mini dioramas and attendees pick their favorite.
This year, National Diorama Month’s Diorama-RAMA goes full circle by returning to the place that inspired the event: the Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM), home to more than 200 large-sized dioramas.
For the 10th anniversary, the Museum is partnering to host Diorama-RAMA. The theme for 2026 is “Dioramas Revisited, Reinvented, Reimagined.” It takes place on Tuesday, March 31, at MPM, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
For the event, artists put their own spin on MPM's famous Milwaukee-style dioramas. Think shoebox-sized recreations of the Streets of Old Milwaukee, The Third Planet/Dinosaurs, The Arctic Region, or whatever diorama in the museum inspires the artist.
Visitors vote for their favorite dioramas, and the winner will be announced at the end of the evening. A cash bar will also be available.
The price for tickets is $10 adults and $5 children 13 and under. Half of every ticket sale will go to this year's non-profit partner, the Walker's Point Center for the Arts.
The dioramas will be on display through Sunday, April 5, and viewing is free with Museum admission.
"This 'holiday' was absolutely inspired by my love of the dioramas at the MPM," says Kirschling.
Tickets for Diorama-RAMA at the Milwaukee Public Museum are available here.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
