Fairyland @ 75: A Legacy of Magic
April 4, 2025–2026
Group Exhibition
Curated by Randal J. Metz and Shannon Taylor
Image: Fairyland @ 75: Works featuring Flying Monkey by Kristi Holohan; Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum by Yina Kim; Miller House by Jason Toney; Once Upon a Time Books by Gina M. Contreras; and Wicked Witch by Michael Wertz. OMCA, Oakland.
Oakland Museum of California (OMCA)
1000 Oak Street
Oakland, CA 94607
+1 510 318 8400
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Oakland Museum of California Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 11:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Thursday | 11:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Friday | 11:00 am – 9:00 pm |
| Saturday | 11:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Sunday | 11:00 am – 5:00 pm |
Overview
Today’s LOVE LETTER TO ART is Fairyland @ 75: A Legacy of Magic, curated by Fairyland/CCA artist Shannon Taylor and longtime Fairyland puppeteer and historian Randal J. Metz.
The exhibition showcases artworks inspired by the park—whose whimsical charm famously influenced Walt Disney—as well as memorabilia and ephemera, much of it generously provided by Metz, who also authored many of Fairyland’s books.
Randal J. Metz on Fairyland’s History. OMCA, Oakland.
The artists in the exhibition include: Nora Aoyagi, Ari Bird, Holly Bobisuthi, John Casey, Mary Kalin Casey, Anjelica Colliard, Gina M. Contreras, Jessica Dalva, Kristin Farr, Kara Forest, Tom Hall, Jessica Hess, Janelle Hessig, Kristi Holohan, Matlena Hourula, Kelly Jonick, Faye Kendall, Sanaa Khan, Yina Kim, Marcos Lafarga, Helene Leroux, Emily B. Lewis, Elise Mahan, Shannon May, Mario A. Navasero, Dawline-Jane Oni-Eseleh, Nathaniel Parsons, Minnie Phan, Jerry Pierson, Abby Rocha, Kimberly Rowe, Isabel Samaras, Reece Santos, Simone Shin, Amy Sol, Miriam Stahl, Shannon Taylor, Jason Toney, Niki Toney, Jamie Vasta, Reese Wallace, Michael Wertz, Annie Wong, and Thomas Young.
Two of my dearest friends, Nora Aoyagi (featured in the show) and Joey Enos, have contributed their talents to Fairyland’s Drawn Together fundraiser over the years, and my beloved friend Morgan Rothenbaum is part of the dedicated team that keeps the magic going at the park, so of course I was thrilled to hear that OMCA and Fairyland were collaborating on a show.
I started going to Fairyland in the late 1970s, and I still remember running excitedly with my Fairyland Magic Key to “unlock” the fairytale of each attraction’s storybook audio box. And then there was the seal pool and the turtle pen—it was a different place back then, obviously. It even had its own post office. And I ALWAYS left with a Wright’s Pink Popcorn in hand—oh, pink popcorn (RIP). Even now, forty-something years later, Fairyland brings a smile to my face… and of course, a craving for Pink Popcorn!
And wow, I think that was one of the most impressive press previews/artist receptions I’ve ever attended. It was part of OMCA’s Friday Nights event, so there was music, food trucks, and just great vibes all around. And no one could resist the charms of the Fairyland Jolly Trolly car, which was such a fun interactive installation. Everyone that passed had to get in at least once!
Don’t miss this wonderful feel-good exhibition celebrating a place that has brought so much joy to generations of Bay Area kids—young and old—and still brings it today. If you grew up going to Fairyland—or are a Bay Area history buff—you will LOVE this show!
🗓 Fairyland @ 75: A Legacy of Magic is an ongoing show at OMCA in Oakland’s Lake Merritt neighborhood. It runs alongside several terrific exhibitions (see below)—plus the museum’s wonderful permanent collection, which highlights California’s art, history, and natural sciences.
Mark your calendars: OMCA ‘s 2027 White Elephant Sale (Jan. 31–Mar. 7, 2027) tickets GO ON SALE IN MID-DECEMBER. One of my FAVORITE events of the year! Purchase Tickets HERE.
And don’t forget to check out Fairyland’s events for children and adults. I always have a blast at their evening events, which include drinks, food trucks, music, and dancing.
💌 Did you see the show(s) or try any of our recommendations? What did you think? Let us know in the comments (in the Reviews section located on the second tab at the top of the page).
QUICK GUIDE: OMCA
⭐ OMCA HOURS: Open Wednesday–Sunday 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Open Late Fridays 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. CLOSED MONDAY AND TUESDAY.
⭐ OMCA EXHIBITIONS:
- Fairyland @ 75: A Legacy of Magic | Ongoing
- Mildred Howard: Poetics of Memory | June 12–Oct. 18, 2026
- BeHere / 1942: A New Lens on the Japanese American Incarceration | Sept. 18–Dec. 27, 2026
- Black Power | Ongoing
- Collecting a Moment | Ongoing
- You Are Here: California Stories on the Map | Ongoing
- OMCA Kids: Nature Playspace | Ongoing
- General Admission Tickets Adults 18-64 $25 (*Includes access to special exhibitions)
- Seniors 65+ *$22
- Youth 13–17, Students, Educators with vaild ID *$18
- Ages 12 and Under FREE
- Membership starts at $99 GA/$79 Senior
- FREE 1ST SUNDAYS (Next one is Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026)
- Discover and Go (Free w/library card – may not apply to all counties)
- Museums for All $1 ADMISSION (No need to show ID/EBT card. Just say “Museums For All” at ticket counter.)
- Museums on Us (show your Bank of America/Merrill card/ID) on the FIRST weekend of month
- Blue Star Museum Discount (FREE Admission to U.S. military personnel and veterans plus up to 5 family members from the 3rd Sat in May until the 1st Monday in Sept.)
- $9 General Admission for individuals with disabilities.
- $3 General Admission for Alameda County Courthouse active jurors (show proof).
- Gallery Chats at OMCA: Every Saturday from 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
- Friday Nights at OMCA with CHIKA DI on Oct. 9, 2026 from 5:00–9:00 p.m. (FREE)
- Friday Nights at OMCA with MacArthur Maze | 60th Anniversary of the Black Panther Party on Oct. 16, 2026 from 5:00–9:00 p.m. (FREE)
- Spotlight Sundays: Roadsongs for Dorothea Lange on Oct. 18, 2026 from 1:00–4:00 p.m. ($10)
- 32nd Annual Día de los Muertos Community Celebration on Oct. 25, 2026 from 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. ($10)
- Special Guest Gallery Chat with Traditional Medicine Practitioner Batul True Heart on Oct. 25, 2026 from 1:00–1:45 p.m. ($10)
- Friday Nights at OMCA with LA GENTE SF on Oct. 30, 2026 from 5:00–9:00 p.m. (FREE)
- OMCA Architecture Walk and Talk: Oct. 4, 2026; Nov 1, 2026; Dec. 6, 2026 from 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
- *OMCA 2027 White Elephant Sale: Jan. 31–Mar. 7, 2027. Purchase Tickets HERE.
- GALLERY: Pt.2 | ON VIEW: Shannon Rogers: Myriad | Opens Sept. 13, 2026 | UPCOMING: Alicia McCarthy | Opens Nov. 7, 2026 | EVENT: *Opening reception is Nov. 7, 2026 from 6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. | 4-min drive • 15-min walk
- GALLERY: Creative Growth | ON VIEW: Stereo Dynamic explores the relationship between music and art through handcrafted instruments, music videos, customized vinyl records, and portraits of musical legends. | Sept. 18–Nov. 21, 2026 | 4-min drive • 15-min walk
- GALLERY: Johansson Projects | ON VIEW: Gregory Rick // Night Watch | Sept. 30–Oct. 31, 2026 | 9-min drive • 29-min walk
- GALLERY: Transmission Gallery | ON VIEW: William Rhodes: Fear Not | Sept. 17–Oct. 31, 2026 | UPCOMING: Ellen Bepp The Ghosts We Carry | Sept. 24–Nov. 7, 2026 | EVENT: Ellen Bepp Artist Talk on Oct. 31 at 2:00 p.m. | 7-min drive • 32-min walk
- GALLERY: Rock Paper Scissors Collective (Store Hours: Wed. 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. & Thurs. 4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.) | UPCOMING: TBA | 7-min drive • 28-min walk
- GALLERY: Pacific Saw Works | UPCOMING: TBA | 8-min drive • 63-min walk
- GALLERY: CULT Bureau | UPCOMING: TBA | 9-min drive • 67-min walk
QUICK GUIDE: FAIRYLAND
FAIRYLAND HOURS: Open Friday–Sunday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. + Special Holiday Hours (See Fairyland’s Calendar HERE) WEATHER PERMITTING.
FAIRYLAND GENERAL ADMISSION (*Children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults unaccompanied by children not permitted.)- Adults 18+ $20
- Children 1-17 $17
- 1 & Under FREE
- *Membership starts at $99 GA/$79 Senior
FAIRYLAND DISCOUNTS:- 510 Fridays Admission (EVERY FRIDAY) $5 Kids // $10 Adults (Walk-ups Only)
- $5 Admission for EBT/SNAP Recipients
- Military/Veterans Receive a $3 Discount w/Valid ID (Up to 6 Tickets)
- Field Trip Groups for Educational/Community/Childcare Providers Receive $9 Admission
- Groups of 10+ Receive a $3 Discount
FAIRYLAND EVENTS:- Fall Fest on Oct. 17–18 & 24–25 from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Halloween Jam: Mad Magic! on Oct. 31 from 12:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
- Día de los Muertos: Chapel Exhibit & Performances on Nov. 1, 7 & 8 from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- ’Twas the Night Before Fairy Winterland (21+) on Dec. 11 from 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
- Fairy Winterland on Dec. 12–13, 19–20 & 26–27 from 12:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
- Grand Lake Kitchen | Popular all-day neighborhood café + bistro for brunch, burgers, sandwiches, dinner + cocktails.
- Sirene | Stylish seafood spot serving seasonal seafood, wood-fired dishes + an award-winning beverage program.
- Tada Ramen & Yakitori | Cozy Japanese spot specializing in ramen + grilled yakitori.
- Bar Skula | Cevichería + grill from the team behind the much-missed Luka’s Taproom, with seafood, cocktails + Luka’s burger and fries. $2 oysters all day Mondays!
- Comal Next Door | Casual counter-service sister spot to Berkeley’s Comal serving burritos, tacos, tortas + cocktails across from Lake Merritt.
- Lucuma Kitchen + Bar | Modern Peruvian cuisine + pisco cocktails in an intimate, stylish setting.
- Viridian | Sexy, neon-lit cocktail bar serving creative cocktails + contemporary Asian-American bites.
- Bardo Lounge & Supper Club | Retro mid-century supper club serving seasonal fare + cocktails.
Currently On View at OMCA
A LOVE LETTER TO ART RECOMMENDS
NEARBY ART
shows primarily fìgurative and socially engaged art and unconventional work with a point of view.
NEARBY FOOD/DRINK
RELATED VIDEOS
Children’s Fairyland Celebrates 75 Years by Talk Oakland
Children’s Fairyland U.S.A. (1962) by Buck Joseph
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Author: ALoveLettertoArt
