Fairyland @ 75: A Legacy of Magic
April 4–December 7, 2025
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 – 5:00 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.
Preview of Fairyland @ 75. OMCA, Oakland.
Shown here:
1) Founded in 1950 on the shores of Oakland’s Lake Merritt, Fairyland is America’s oldest storybook amusement park.
2) Inside Fairyland’s Alice in Wonderland Tunnel…
3) Fairyland @ 75 celebrates the park’s past, present, and future with inspired artworks by local artists, Magic Keys, vintage photos, a climb-aboard Jolly Trolly car, and more.
4) Works by Reese Wallace, Nora Aoyagi, Jessica Dalva, & Angelica Colliard
5) Will you Escape the Queen of Hearts?
6) Works by Michael Wertz & Mary Kalin Casey
7) Work by Mario A. Navasero
8) Works by Gina M. Contreras, Jason Toney, Yina Kim, Kristi Holohan, & Michael Wertz
9) Works by Kimberly Rowe, Miriam Stahl, Nathaniel Parsons, Kristin Farr, Niki Toney, & Simone Shin
10) Fairyland Puppet Show
11) Fairyland Storybox Talking Music and Storybook Box, Rumpelstiltskin Puppet, & Ephemera
12) Fairyland Original Costume Concepts circa 1950 & Ephemera
13) Fairyland @ 75 Curators Randall J. Metz & Shannon Taylor
14) OMCA’s Lori Fogarty & Fairyland’s Kymberly Miller
15) Friday Nights Event Goers in the OMCA Garden
16) Fairyland’s Jolly Trolly Car
17) Fairyland’s Morgan Rothenbaum
18) Artist Nora Aoyagi
19) Michelle Kwan from A LOVE LETTER TO ART
20) Mural by Chelsea Ryoko Wong
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 runs until December 7, 2025 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 2026 White Elephant Sale (Jan. 25–Mar. 1, 2026) tickets GO ON SALE ON DEC. 12 AND DEC 16, 2025 AT 8:00 A.M. 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.; Thursday 5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m (18+). CLOSED MONDAY AND TUESDAY.
⭐ OMCA EXHIBITIONS:
- Fairyland @ 75: A Legacy of Magic [Closes December 7, 2025]
- Ancestral Visions: An Installation by Chelsea Ryoko Wong [Closes February 1, 2026]
- Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain. [Closes March 1, 2026]
- Good Fire: Tending Native Lands. [Closes May 31, 2026]
- Students on Strike [Closes May 31, 2026]
- Black Power [Ongoing]
- Collecting a Moment [Ongoing]
- You Are Here: California Stories on the Map [Ongoing]
- OMCA Kids: Nature Playspace [Ongoing]
- Seniors 65+ $16
- Ages 18-64 $19
- Youth 13-17, Students, Educators with valid ID $12
- 12 & Under FREE
- *SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS +$6 (Includes access to permanent collections)
- **Membership starts at $139
- FREE 1ST SUNDAYS (Next one is Sunday, March 2, 2025)
- 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.
- OMCA Architecture Walk and Talk: December 7, 2025 from 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
- Spotlight Sundays: Cultural Fire Storytelling and Film Screening: December 16, 2025 from 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Tickets: $1-30 Sliding Scale
- *OMCA 2026 White Elephant Sale: Jan. 25–Mar. 1, 2026. Purchase Tickets HERE.
⭐ NEARBY ART :
- GALLERY: Johansson Projects | ON VIEW: Feast (Nov. 7–Dec. 31, 2025) | 7 min. drive
- GALLERY: Pt.2 | ON VIEW: Domestic Demo Group Exhibition and Muzae Sesay Solo Show curated by Muzae Sesay (Nov. 8–Dec. 20, 2025) | 3 min. drive
- GALLERY: Rock Paper Scissors Collective | UPCOMING: TBA | 6 min. drive
- GALLERY: Transmission Gallery | ON VIEW: NOT HEAVY: Selected work from Pacific Rim Sculptors (Nov. 13–Jan. 6, 2026) | 6 min. drive
- GALLERY: Pacific Saw Works | UPCOMING: TBA | 6 min. drive
- GALLERY: CULT Bureau | UPCOMING: TBA | 9 min. drive
- PUBLIC ART: Oakland Palestine Solidarity Mural located at 400 26th Street (between Telegraph and Broadway) | 7 min. drive
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+ $19
- 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:
- Twas the Night Before Fairy Winterland (21+): Experience a lively night market in the glowing landscape of Children’s Fairyland, with Bay Area bands, good food, and seasonal adult beverages. Browse emerging makers and brands, discover unique gifts, and enjoy a Friday night filled with great vibes! Tickets: $40. December 12, 2025
- Fairy Winterland: Celebrate the season with shimmering lights, global crafts, nightly performances, Black Santa visits, soft snowball fights, holiday tunes, and free cider and cocoa. *Closing Parade is Dec. 27 from 6:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Tickets: $5–$22. December 13–14, 20–21, and 27–28, 2025
A LOVE LETTER TO ART RECOMMENDS
NEARBY ART
shows primarily fìgurative and socially engaged art and unconventional work with a point of view.
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Author: ALoveLettertoArt
