ArcOpen is for anyone who shares a passion for painting fantasy and futuristic miniatures.
The Event
ArcOpen was held as part of ArcFest - April 27 & 28 April 2024, at Sandown Racecourse.
The aim of this event is to inspire and challenge participants to advance their skills, seek to improve, and strive to present their best work. Rather than competing against other entrants in a shoot out for a limited number of awards the event recognised attainment of quality and effort for every painter.
There are no first, second and third places within the ArcOpen Categories.
Instead our judges graded each entries achievement - basing their decisions surrounding the standard of the work. In the end those pieces deserving and of the level need to be recognised as Gold, Silver and Bronze level were the one’s able to achieve awards at ArcOpen.
Due to the number and quality of entries we also recognised effort outside the top tiers of skill by selecting entries the judges felt deserved recognition and to be awarded Commended Entry status.
As the ArcOpen System is about presenting a level of painting mastery there was no limit to the number of awards.
Our Judges for 2024 were Victoria Lamb, Jared Clifford and Peter Overton.
ArcOpen 2024 Gallery Coming Soon
Best at Show
ArcOpen is an open event seeking to recognise achievement, but we also want to challenge everyone to excellence by recognising an overall event master - the Best at Show. In 2024 this award was taken out by Andrew Buckley for his Large Model Category Gold Medal entry titled Descent Part One. Its source is a Warhammer Age of Sigmar Miniature from the Cities of Sigmar Range - a Fusil-Major on Ogor WarHulk.
People’s Choice
The most popular entry at ArcOpen also claims it’s own special place and award. The People’s Choice is voted by participants, ArcFest tournament players and general admission ticket holders. Everyone gets a chance to vote. This year the People’s Choice was awarded to Trent Denison for his Neon Knights. A Gold Medal winning entry in our new Open-Display category.
ArcOpen is Proudly supported by:
Categories
ArcOpen categories give a wide variety of options for painters to explore their hobby craft. The hope is to make ArcOpen an event that would encourage participation by painters of all skill levels. With the system being based on the principle that every deserving work should be recognised we hoped would encourage everyone to have a go. In 2024 the event returns with the same aim and the addition of one new category.
Here are some Rules to help with the preparation of your entry in ArcOpen for 2024:
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There is no limitations on the manufacturer or method of production of the miniature. However, models that would breach any company’s Intellectual Property Rights may be excluded or disqualified. If you’re unsure get in touch with us: enquires@arc40k.com
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There is no limit on the number of categories in which you can enter - total submissions per category will be limited to three entries - so that gives a maximum of 12 entries per participant across the four categories. Note: that your ticket purchase covers access to all of ArcFest as well as your first 4 ArcOpen entries. Additional entries can be added to your ticket.
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No mail-in entries are allowed or will be accepted. If you would like to participate in the painting competition you must be present at ArcOpen in order to compete.
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ArcOpen will be held as part of the ArcFest weekend Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 April 2024. We’ll have more information about our exciting activities program that will allow participants to engage and immerse themselves in a weekend celebrating painting - including the exact event dates, the registration process and more. As our plans are confirmed we’ll be quick to update everyone.
At ArcOpen our Judging team will be assess each and every entry within each category to determine if it qualifies for one of the following awards - Gold Medal, Silver Medal, Bronze Medal and Commended Certificate.
Outside the Open format will be certain awards to encourage specific types of entries across all the categories.
These Certificates will be awarded for:
Best Young Painter
Best Arc40k Miniature
Best AOS Miniature
Best Age of Darkness
The Crimson Brush Award
Best MARVEL Crisis Protocol
Best StarWars Shatterpoint
Best Infinity Miniature
Two other awards will be given out that include trophies and prizes. They are:
Best in Show
People’s Choice
With these details we hope to ensure that everyone will have heaps of time to plan, prepare and get painting. We really do want to give everyone an opportunity to achieve and present their very best.
ArcOpen Categories may be updated as we get closer to the next event in 2025. But for 2024 they were:
Single Miniature
This category is for any single Human-sized fantasy/futuristic miniature mounted on an appropriate sized base. This includes miniatures mounted on creatures or small vehicles. This category is for miniatures up to 40mm scale.
Unit
ArcFest is a celebration of table top miniatures. The Unit Category features what many competitors will be spending a large part of their hobby efforts to field a force to play with. So this category is for squads, squadrons, gangs or units of three or more fantasy/futuristic models. This includes miniatures mounted on creatures or small vehicles. The unit may be displayed on an appropriate sized base. This category is for miniatures up to 40mm scale.
Large Figure- Character/Monster/Vehicle
This category primarily caters for large models or vehicles; other mechanical subjects; single large Monsters; and of course Busts in various shapes and sizes. We saw a range of large miniatures entered in this category, which included entries in scales of 75mm or larger. The Large Figure Category was heavily populated with entries as it is the canvas upon which many Display Painters like to show their skills.
Open Display - including Diorama/Duel
ArcOpen's founder Hobby Crusaider, has a long history with the Open Category and putting together epic dioramas for Golden Demon Open categories. Even taking home Gold.
This is the sort of category that we hope lets the hobby imagination of our community to run wild. So there are no rules.
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