[THE DC]

I had written a walk-thru of the convention over the last few years; events with a great deal of enthusiasm, but not as much public presence. This year was different. It was busy from opening to close.

I have tried to deliver more content at each thread, and a better feel for the “walk-thru” tour concept each year. It had been my hope that a personal review of the models that were exhibited might encourage interest and a desire to attend one of the events.

I had also, each thread-article, each year, attempted to imbue each review of the conventions with details from the demonstration artists. I have always encouraged the craftsmen to add their comments or observations that they might not have shared, during my interviews. As for the conversations that I documented, I tried including build tips and techniques that might facilitate the improvement of the craft, for those who can not attend. The goal of this approach was to not only encourage interest for those never reaching Sterling, hoping to promote a visit in the future, but as well to make the thread useful to even those never intending to make the trip. A thread that is well organized might benefit the craft and the execution of building. Even if readers of this thread never attended an IPMC, they might learn valuable lessons and skills from accomplished craftsmen and women; that even if they could not attend in person, I might be able to ask the questions that they would have wanted to ask, had they traveled to Sterling.

When possible, this time out, I tried featuring a specific model of choice of the crafter; their favorite or most challenging. The details of their best build or favorite model might include the manufacturer, what techniques were used, or what was learned from the build. I hoped this would spotlight particular builds and the interesting stories surrounding those builds.

In addition to reviewing the models, and seeking out build tips and techniques, I also sought out (this year) advise and suggestions on the best tools and equipment for novice and advanced builders. Reviews and suggestions of what should be included on a toolkit seemed a valuable addition to the previous year’s efforts.

Again, the goal was to provide a valuable read for anyone exploring the thread, even if they were not focused upon participating in the IPMC.

The extra questions seemed on their face, small editions, but they wound up requiring more time and notes than expected. The extra photos also required a greater amount of time to sort and organize. I spent the whole day in interviews and never got to enjoy the convention myself! This thread contains more than the previous ones but it took a lot more to do than expected.

The goal of this thread was also to permit people who attended to have a written memory of their time, to include those who couldn’t in the fun, and to use the event as a springboard to promote a hobby and an art form that is diminishing in number of participants; and is aging out in participation. Though digital tools and better printers have made paper modeling more available, school approaches and social trends have moved away from building things; in favor of following digital patterns of entertainment.

I believe that paper modeling is a craft, and art form, that is affordable for many, where plastic and wood modeling have become so expensive. The average plastic model kit runs between $25-$50 and the average wood kit in the hundreds. This can be daunting to a person seeking to learn, and make the expected mistakes of a novice; where paper modeling costs a fraction of those alternatives; and permits easy production of replacement parts. Paper models also permit customization more easily than many other forms of miniature building. I also hold to the conviction that the techniques and lessons learned and used on this craft are valuable in areas of life that are more essential than hobbying.

Paper modeling has been found effective toward encouraging participation of people of different mindsets; a useful effort in this age of transient-digital relationships and social segregation of tribal beliefs. I also believe that young people benefit from building things with their own hands; as opposed to being passively being entertained by preprogrammed algorithms, as found in video games and in web activities. Furthermore, paper modeling can be used effectively in teaching, in therapeutic intervention, and even in management training and evaluation. I have used paper modeling projects in in all three of these spheres.

This thread is the finale of a series. It took the entire day to collect the information and will take some weeks of writing to complete this thread. It concludes the triology of threads; first The 2021 International Paper Modeler's Convention Visit in Pictures and Words, then Touring the 2022 International PaperModeler's Convention (IMPC).

I hope that this chapter provides interest, guidance, and inspiration for both the 25 years of participation that has happened, and then for the next 25 years to come.

See you at the 50th (if not before)!