What We Do
DIYorama is dedicated to helping you create one-of-a-kind, large-scale and unique workshops for your events and conventions. Our events are generally designed to create large-scale dioramas, but can be designed around any fictional universe and in any scale. There is a heavy emphasis on upcyling discarded materials with the idea of tapping into the imagination and creativity we had a children.The display can be a static display or feature interactive elements and moving parts. We will work with you to create an interactive, maker experience for your guests. We will plan and prototype the desired build, research and procure materials, and run the event. The end result is a massive display full of pieces made by the fans throughout the event. The fans then get to take home the piece they made that was part of the show, creating a truly one-of-a-kind keepsake. They also will have gained the skills to continue making at home, as well as the memories of spending time with their friends and family.
We offer these events at large fan-based celebrations but we also offer them as teambuilding events for your business and corporation. Rather that the tired old teambuilding activities, our events are designed by professional event coordinators and educators that promote excitement, engagement, communication, problem solving, creativity, and imagination.
History
DIYorama is the newly re-branded version of what has been known for years as the Diorama Workshop, which was formed by Frank Diorio. He had the idea to create a workshop centered around introducing, teaching, and growing the hobby of diorama making at Star Wars Celebration II in Indianapolis in 2002. At that event, DIYorama co-director Jamie Follis spent the entire convention helping with the build, and has been on the crew ever since. DIYorama co-director Alissa Pier joined the workshop in 2007 at Celebration IV and was quickly brought on to the crew. The creativity, generosity, and the tireless work of the Diorama Builders, have helped the event be a success at every Star Wars Celebration—and become a mainstay of the event and has been included at every Celebration in the U.S. It is one of the largest and longest-running events at Star Wars Celebration.
The Diorama Builders has grown with each convention in both scale and ambition. Over the years, the Dioramas Builders events have been sponsored by Sculpey, Aves Studios, and Smooth-On, AMT/MPC models and has partnered with Hasbro, Mattel, Fantasy Flight Games, and Atomic Mass Games who have generously provided supplies, figures, cars, and miniatures for the builds.
In 2019, Frank decided to step away from the convention scene. Frank now focuses his time on his website the Diorama Workshop where he has plans, tutorials, and decals for you to download for free. He passed the leadership to Jamie and Alissa who have both taken on more responsibilities with each convention. They formed DIYorama Events to promote the new era of dioramas at the Star Wars Celebration and changing requirements of running such large scale events.
What People Are Saying About the Events
It is quite interesting, what they have done is very similar to the project-based learning initiatives we support.
George Lucas, Filmmaker
It is my favorite thing at Star Wars Celebrations. It is not about buying something it is about making something at the show.
Anthony Daniels, Actor
The Diorama Workshops at Star Wars Celebrations have become a real focal point for fans looking for an interactive and immersive experience. I never fail to be amazed at how, in just a few days, the tables go from near-empty to amazing settings and planetscapes that bring a part of the saga alive through to work of countless fans and a dedicated crew. For me, it’s one of the top events at Celebration!
Steve Sansweet, Rancho Obi-Wan
DIYorama Events 