Little Lil’ D Takes Over Denton: Diorama Collective Unveils Haunted Miniature Town
- communications5244
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Denton, TX – The Denton Diorama Collective (DDC) has captured the local imagination this Halloween season by unveiling a massive, highly detailed miniature version of the city’s square and surrounding landmarks. Officially dubbed the "Little Lil' D" Haunted Denton Diorama Project, the creation is built to HO scale and features dozens of recognizable buildings reimagined with a spooky, Halloween-themed twist.
The ambitious project was initially slated to be complete by October 1st. However, as of Mid-September, the building phase alone was estimated to be 100% finished. The completed diorama measures approximately 8 feet by 16 feet.
A Town Amped Up for Halloween
While the buildings are designed to be "completely recognizable" as their real-life Denton counterparts, the DDC members took creative liberties to enhance the miniature town for the season. The diorama includes local favorites like the Courthouse, Recycled Books, Andy's, and the Fine Arts Theater. The project features meticulously crafted landmarks such as the Central Fire Station, City Hall West, the Bearded Monk, and the Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studio. Special attention was paid to detailing, with some builders creating custom elements like shingles from laser-cut sandpaper and tiny brick stencils.
The streets of Little Lil' D are populated with an array of customized figures, adding to the haunted theme. Characters include Michael Jackson performing the "Thriller" dance alongside zombies outside the Fine Arts Theater, Shaun and Ed from Shaun of the Dead, and figures representing Krampus, the Headless Horseman, Ghostbusters, Buffy, and Beetlejuice. Local legends were honored as well, with plans to include the Albino Squirrel and Denton’s own superhero, FAN-Man. A short film was even made featuring the Ghostbusters chasing a Mad Scientist who reportedly shrunk the city.
In addition to miniature figures, collaborators modeled food trucks, including The Tomato, El Cucuy, Frenchy’s, and Insurgent, alongside other features like the Goatman Bridge.
A Collaborative Effort
The DDC is a highly collaborative community project. The process involved multiple specialized steps, including digital modeling, 3D printing and extensive hand-painting and finishing work.
For construction, one member described ordering high-build 2K urethane primer for paint prep on the courthouse, while another noted they usually use airbrushes. Collaborators shared tips on techniques such as repairing thin parts with "green stuff" and utilizing desktop vinyl cutters (Cricut) to create small decals and brick stencils. The ongoing progress required frequent coordination, with members taking buildings for sanding and priming and contributing photographs of actual buildings for reference. Meetings were organized on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings.
Public Reception and Engagement
The diorama is installed at the CoLAB. Early turnout has been exceptional, with attendance described as "insane". CoLAB staff reported 1,350 visitors in one day and expected the next weeks to gain.
The DDC engaged visitors through several interactive elements, including a scavenger hunt that gathered visitor data, and providing journals for guests to share their personal stories and connections with the featured buildings. The project gained attention from local personalities, including Denton muralist Warren Lunt, who visited and offered to donate a poster.
The city acknowledged the effort by producing a video showcasing the construction process. As the display continues through October, the collective encourages public engagement, with visitors welcomed to check on the installation. The effort and teamwork involved earned high praise within the collective, bringing "joy and fellowship" to the builders.
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