As anticipation builds for ArcOpen 2024, participants may be eager to learn about this year's awards and medals.
With an emphasis on recognition, encouragement, and celebration, ArcOpen has established a system aimed to honor outstanding achievements across categories that cover the breadth of miniature display painting.
As the event uses the open system of judging our esteemed panel has the opportunity to bestow Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals in each of the four categories - there is no limit to the number of entries that can receive a medal in any of these categories.
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. In 2023 the Single Miniature Category proved the most popular among entrants with 104 individual models make up the field. We hope to see even more in 2024!
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; & of course Busts. We saw a range of large miniatures entered in this category, which included entries in scales of 75mm or larger.
Open Display - including Diorama/Duel
This category is new in 2024. 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. We decided its was time to add the sort of category that would let the hobby imagination of our Hobby community run wild again!
We hope that our inclusive approach to recognition and reward ensures that excellence in painting is acknowledged at all skill levels and that every entry is worthy of our judges consideration.
That is why we have added to the range of awards the judges can bestow. New to this year'sevent is the introduction of a Commended Entry certificate, designed to recognize entries that may not reach medal status but demonstrate exceptional effort, execution, or innovative techniques.
This serves as a testament to the diverse talents within the miniature painting community and celebrates pieces that embody the rule of cool.
Keen to celebrate the founding of ArcFest and the inclusion of many new events for this year we felt that some specific awards were worth bringing along.
That’s why, in addition to medals, ArcOpen will also present certificates in these tournament related categories:
Best Arc40k Miniature
Best Age of Sigmar Miniature
Best Age of Darkness
Best MARVEL Crisis Protocol
Best Star Wars Shatterpoint
Best Infinity Miniature
These categories highlight excellence in specific genres and themes, offering participants opportunities for recognition in their respective areas of expertise.
We will also be looking for the Best Young Painter - so any entrant 17 years or younger who enters ArcOpen will be eligible for this award - simply let us know that you qualify when you register your entry.
Crimson Brush gave Arc40k the honor of choosing a miniature that best met that theme at their event in Canberra earlier this year. So, we felt that we should return the favour and allow Crimson Brush Organiser Trent to make his pick and select the entry that best exemplifies display painting craftsmanship. So there will also be the ‘Crimson Brush - Trent’s Pick Award’ presented for his favorite.
ArcOpen's commitment to inclusivity and engagement extends to the People's Choice award, allowing attendees to vote for their favorite entry. This interactive element empowers the community to have a voice in celebrating exceptional talent. If you can make more people go WOW that’s an amazing entry - let me vote for it - then you will be this year’s deserving winner.
We will have QR codes and online voting for this award running throughout the weekend. The winner will receive a certificate and trophy, as well as a magnificent Artis Opus Series D brush set and Dry Pallet.
Lastly, the ultimate honors of Best at Show trophies will be awarded to the entry that exemplify outstanding creativity, technical skill, and overall impact. Our panel of judges will choose from across the four categories from the pool of Gold Medal achievers to select the Best at Show. This prestigious award serves as a culmination of the event's spirit of excellence and camaraderie.
Thanks to Mitch and Addikted to Ink who are the major sponsor of the ArcOpen we are also able to announce that a cash prize of $500 will be handed over to the Best at Show winner - and Mitch will be on hand to congratulate them as he hands over the prize.
It’s not long before the recognition and celebration of some spectacular pieces of minature art begins! Stay tuned for more information and announcements as we hurtle towards ArcFest…
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