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Strzyzow show February 7th 2009

Strzyzow is a small town in the South East of Poland. Taking under consideration that its population is only 9.000 people it is hard to believe that this town is the annual host of one of the biggest model shows in the region. This year 70 modelers came to present their models on 16th Annual Plastic and Paper Models Show. Almost 400 models were presented this year in almost all genres and scales – armor, planes, ships, figures, buildings, dioramas, rockets and S/F from 1/6 to 1/72 built in plastic, paper and wood.

Show started February 7th and last one month. Models were displayed in the library taking big part of one of its floors. Apparently show moderators did not expect so many models – it resulted in models standing very close to one another. Due to this fact it was a little difficult to watch models standing on the backs of tables. The building where the models were displayed is old and unfortunately poorly lit. Lack of space and light are the only issues that could lower the overall impression of the show.

The show attracts many visitors from the whole region every year so it is very good way to popularize the hobby. Moderators (knowing non-modeler visitors’ tendency to touch everything that looks fragile and is within their reach) placed barriers protecting precious results of modelers’ work from damage.

The show has no restrictions on who can display their work and so everyone is free to present their work. Modelers of all ages and a wide range of their skills are free to enter – thanks to this younger modelers are able to learn something from older colleagues and ask about any technique/s used on a person’s model. The lack of a contest element improves the atmosphere of the show – model clubs don’t have to compete to get additional funds (which very often depend on the contest results of club) – thanks to this fact no quarrels about results took place this time… Although the show has no contest nature every modeler receives a diploma and model kit. Kits were mainly sponsored by Strzyzow Town’s Mayor, Strzyzow County Elder, and one of the hobby shops from Rzeszow city. It seems that kits were chosen based on modelers’ entries so every modeler received a kit in genre matching his main interest.

Summarizing: this was a show worth seeing and participating. A great number of models to see, people to meet and knowledge to gain makes this show a very good example of what model shows should look like and what this hobby is all about.