Wizard of Oz Pieces That Start a Conversation

I was recently talking to my new neighbor who is an artist. He was telling me about his hobby which was to paint mechanisms of pocket watches. When I asked him what the impetus behind it was, he mentioned to me that many collectors of pocket watches are not comfortable to talk about their collections with visitors unless the visitor notices a painting of the mechanism. “You cannot imagine,” said my neighbor,” how many times the painting would “break the ice” and lead to a conversation. Everyone wins: the visitors feel more comfortable, and the collector can share his passion of pocket watches!”

I was thinking about his comment the other day when my wife and I hosted a party for her co-workers many of whom I have not met before; yet I was asked to play a role of hospitable host. I would not have been able to do it was it not for the display of some of the items from my Oz collection.

I was literally amazed at how many of our guests spent hours looking at the Oz memorabilia in my living room – from Oz books to paintings of the “Patchwork Girl” to the signed poster of the “Wicked.” That made me think: have you considered exhibiting your Oz memorabilia to catch your visitors’ attention? Here are some of the suggestions for "conversation" pieces: