DIORAMA-MAKING WORKSHOPS for Students

I maintain my OCT teaching licence and a current Vulnerable Sector Police Check.

I look forward to welcoming school groups to CREATE Dioramas at a downtown Toronto location, OR, I go into classrooms to create with students there! Last year I held 16 workshops altogether, and think I’ve got it running like a well-oiled machine now.

A segment by CityNews shows a class at work:

Within a playful framework, this workshop provides a unique opportunity for students to think about the environmental and societal challenges we face. Working with local artist Martha Davis, they address these challenges through discussion and a positive art-making experience.

Here’s how “Healing Our World” works:

There are six themed kits: Climate, Food Security, Housing, Animal Welfare, Belonging and Technology. (From time to time I switch up the kits to keep things lively! ) They contain a selection of photographic backgrounds/sides/floors, realistic, non-branded figures/animals and furniture/accessories appropriate to each theme.

Students view and discuss my book of diorama photos
I explain diorama-making techniques, composition, etc.
Small groups assemble dioramas on themes from kits
I photograph all dioramas and send them to teacher
I hold same day class discussion with students about their work (via data projection of their diorama photographs)
Teacher receives autographed copy of Vol. 1 of DIORAMA DRAMAS: Playfully Exploring Big Issues for class library and a list of ideas for further exploration in class

Here’s what’s being said:

“Absolutely incredible! Martha speaks to the children in a thoughtful, deep, connected way that allows them to express both their creativity and earnest thoughts about the earth. If any teacher is on the fence about attending this workshop, book now!” -Jill Haigh, Upper Class Educator, Taddle Creek Montessori

“My grade 3/4 students were completely engaged and remarkably thoughtful all through this incredible workshop. They selected from among Martha’s exquisite miniature materials to construct stunning dioramas and make meaning centred on six crucial themes. The resulting 24 photographs served as a powerful catalyst for in-depth class discussions. Martha even geared a portion of her workshop to my current Science unit to enhance curriculum connections.” -Tanja Mantyla, Gr. 3/4 teacher, Palmerston P.S., Toronto District School Board

“I couldn’t recommend this workshop more as there are so many opportunities for students to learn through play…It gave students opportunities to express their concerns about our world and consider solutions as they worked creatively in a collaborative, no pressure environment.” -Laura Roberts, Gr. 4/5 teacher, Kensington Community School, TDSB

See their complete reviews as “comments” to the recent BLOG post.

One of the teachers got very excited and made a collage for each student of their diorama work!

FEES: Workshops are $275 (plus my travel expenses) for a 2.5 hr. session for students grades 3-8 at your school. This includes use of all my materials. Fees are $325 if you bring your class to the studio at 427 Bloor St. W. F

Here are two more pages from my book, on Food Security and Technology:

DIORAMA WORKSHOPS for ADULTS!

These new and very popular workshops, launched in August 2025, are held at my downtown Toronto house in my studio.

In this inspiring workshop, you get:

Two hours with me, diorama artist Martha Davis
A short intro. and diorama-making lesson
Assemble your diorama(s) using choice of eight kits
All materials provided: photo backgrounds, miniatures, etc.
OR bring your own minis and use my backgrounds
No scissors, glue or markers needed! Stay clean.
A digital and or print photo of every diorama you make
Five participants max per workshop
Held in my Bathurst/Bloor studio
PWYC model (suggested minimum $30 each)

Here’s what’s being said:

“I recently took a diorama making workshop with Martha and absolutely loved it. She was a fantastic facilitator – supportive, creative and full of great ideas. The best part was being able to take the jumble of thoughts in my head and translate them into something tangible through the two dioramas I made. It was a refreshing and inspiring experience that I’d happily recommend.” –Lisa Freedman, retired Lawyer

“I was very excited to attend Martha Davis’ diorama workshop. She welcomed me and helped me get started with the background for my Palestine Protest diorama. She adjusted the lighting very cleverly and made a short video of my finished diorama. I even got to make a second one! She knew I liked birds and found some little birds and fairy characters from her collection to include. I thoroughly enjoyed her workshop. It helped me deal with the stress of what’s happening in the world right now and gave me a new way to express myself.” -Brooke Lydbrooke, artist and activist

“I have seen and enjoyed Martha’s diorama work for a while now. When the opportunity presented itself to participate in one of her workshops and make one myself, I jumped at it. Martha created a warm and welcoming atmosphere to learn about how to create our own dioramas. There was plenty of choice within a structure, which made the process of using her kits easy and fun. Being able to go home with a photo of my own finished work was the icing on the cake.” -Lee Mendelsohn, Academic Coordinator

Photography Programmes for Seniors or Children

DREAM SCENES

“Go Where You Want to Go, Do What You Want to Do!”

Although Green Screen technology has been around since the 1930s, it’s still used today in film and photography studios to achieve fantastical scenes that one could not do without a big budget. Both seniors and children enjoy using it because it is a manageable amount of tech that produces great results with proper lighting and some know-how.

Have you ever wished to go somewhere foreign and exotic, or back to somewhere beloved to you from your past? Do your kids want to do something adventurous that they’ve never tried before? This programme empowers people to fulfill these dreams, virtually!

Here’s how my programme basically works for both seniors or children:
I ask each participant, “What’s your Dream Scene? What would you do if you could do anything and where would you do it?” We then search “Google Images” on my iPad for an interesting, copyright-free, background image for the photo. The participant poses on the green screen with any props or accessories they have and I take a few photos. Using an app on my iPad, I merge the two images. At this time, they request any “add-ons” they might want in the picture: creatures, objects, accessories, and I strive to locate these on the web and collage them in. Voilà! (Not quite as easy as it sounds. I’ve been doing it for ten years now…)

What I Provide when on a Site:

Portable photo studio (lights, green screen and iPad)
Promotional poster customized to the event
Time spent collaborating with each participant
Two or three sessions of 2½ hours each (recommended)
Calendars can be created (using up to 48 photos/participants)
5x 7” or 4×6″ prints can be provided or purchased
Photo collages can be created (up to 24″ x 36″)

What the Site Provides:

Posting of promotional posters before the first session to advertise the programme
A space at least 12′ x 15′ with access to WiFi and electrical outlets
For seniors, one programme staff member to assist participants and aid in administration during sessions
Posting of finished photos on digital screen(s) or bulletin board after each session to promote ongoing participation and stimulate dialogue (seniors). Emailing of all photos to parents (children).
Delivery of prints, collages and/or calendars to participants when programme is complete
Make sure to check out the SENIORS’ GALLERY for photos of their DREAM SCENES!