The inaugrual ArcOpen has come and gone, and what a fantastic success it was!
We are proud to say that at ArcOpen there were 84 participants presenting a field of more than 240 entries across three categories - Single Miniature, Unit/Squad, Large Figure.
It was an incredible display of creativity, talent, and hard work from everyone involved.
Firstly, we would like to thank all of the participants who entered their works into the event. Without your dedication and passion for the hobby, we wouldn't be able to hold such a wonderful event.
Your contributions helped to create an atmosphere of excitement and inspiration, and it was truly a joy to see so many unique and imaginative works on display.
One of the highlights of the event was the incredible range of gaming pieces that were entered. From classic army units to futuristic war machines, there was no shortage of impressive gaming pieces on display. It was wonderful to see so many entries that showcased the skill and creativity of the artists who created them.
The judges had a challenging task in selecting the medalists, but in the end, it was the dedicated display miniatures that took out the lion share of the highest awards. All our Gold Medalists were a step apart from the field - but every award recipient were deserving.
Can I take a moment and thank our Judges. Victoria Lamb from Victoria Miniatures brought the perspective of a Golden Demon and Slayer Sword winner to the panel. Her models are characterized by atmosphere, telling a story and painting skill.
Emil and Lukas from Squidmar miniatures, despite delays at airports on their journey to Australia, were engaged in ensuring a standard of excellence was established for the event.
Together they were efficient and focussed on ensuring the event reflected a level of excellence that both challenged and inspired participants this year and for the future.
The pieces that were presented on a plinth or scenic base, rather than on the gaming base, truly stood out and captured the attention of the judges. The level of detail and artistic expression that went into many of these pieces was truly breathtaking.
Of course, this isn't to say that the gaming pieces didn't perform well. Many of them earned commendations, bronze and even silver medals. It was evident that a lot of hard work and dedication went into each and every piece. However, it's worth noting that the dedicated display miniatures seemed to have the edge when it came to the top awards.
Bringing ArcOpen to life is the result of a lot of behind the scenes work and support. The Major Sponsor of Arc40k - House of War - also enabled the launch of ArcOpen.
Their support provided the venue, medals, and of course brought our international guest judges to Australia.
Twisted Miniatures came on board to provide our major prizes for the Best in Show and People’s choice awards, as well as prizes for the pool which medalists could pick.
Epic Basing also provided support to the event. Entrants and General Admission tickets received sample packs of Epic’s basing materials. Plus they brought together some special prize packs which were made available in the prize pool for medalists.
The other group of people that need to be acknowledged are the volunteers who helped out across the weekend.
Rory joined us to deploy his photography skills and equipment to ensure the models of the entrants were photographed professionally. I hope you’ll all agree that he’s done an exceptional job.
Cameron and Richard, processed all of the miniatures, handed out Epic Basing packs and answered questions for everyone who wanted to know more about the ArcOpen. Everything ran smoothly across the weekend thanks to them.
So, as we reflect on the success of the ArcOpen event, we can't help but feel inspired by the creativity and talent on display. We hope that all of the entrants feel proud of the work they put in and the pieces they created.
We also hope that this event has provided a platform for artists to showcase their skills and inspire others to get involved in the hobby.
For those who are already planning their entries for next year's event, we encourage you to consider the lessons learned from this year's winners. Take the time to create a dedicated display miniature that showcases your artistic abilities and attention to detail. Think outside the box and don't be afraid to take risks.
Once again, we would like to thank everyone who participated in the ArcOpen event. Your contributions helped to create a truly special event, and we can't wait to see what next year's event will bring.
Keep creating, keep innovating, and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible in this amazing hobby.
Did you know that Arc40k and ArcOpen are an affiliate for Gap Games? That's right! By purchasing your miniatures, paints, brushes and accessories through our unique link, you'll be supporting our website and events. Your purchase allows us to create an even better experience for our community.
We appreciate your support!
