PEEPS!

From an Egyptian tomb to the wonderful world of Oz, about three dozen finalists from the second annual Sunday Source Peeps Diorama Contest held recently by The Washington Post are on display on the 10th floor at this year’s Artomatic.

The newspaper’s 2008 diorama contest drew more than 800 entries from local and regional artists and Peeps lovers. For the second year in a row, Artomatic is playing host to some of the finalists so that the public can see them up close and in-person.

Dioramas on display at Artomatic include this year’s contest winner, “The Tomb of Peepankhamun” by Laura Sillers, as well as other finalists, such as “Nightmare in Pink,” by Peter Byer, and “The Trojan Peep” by Virginia Haufler.

The dioramas can be viewed anytime during Artomatic regular hours.

Visitors will also have a chance to meet the diorama artists and ask them about their inspirations during a special Peeps Party on Saturday, May 31, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The free event will include Peeps treats, compliments of Just Born, the manufacturers of Peeps.

Kids and families will be able to join into the Peeps fun with a special children’s tour of the dioramas and Peeps diorama-making workshop. The kids events, both of which are free, will be held Saturday, May 31, from noon to 2 p.m. To RSVP for the kids Peeps events, e-mail Fran Atkinson at msazuri@msn.com.

“Peeps are so cute and silly-looking,” said artist Michele Banks, Artomatic Peeps show coordinator and co-chair of the Artomatic Visual Arts Committee. “Any kind of scene you can imagine — from movies, politics or history — just replace the people with Peeps, and it’s instantly new and funny. That’s what makes these dioramas so great.”

To see the slideshow of contest finalists, visit The Washington Post Web site.