Nova Open 2024: A Week of Creativity, Community, and Passion
On August 27th, we embarked on our journey to the capital city early in the morning, arriving around noon at the Washington Hilton, the vibrant venue for Nova Open 2024. This spacious and elegant hotel is situated in one of the city's most beautiful areas, surrounded by parks, top-notch restaurants, and other attractions, making it an ideal location for this incredible event.
One of the first people we met was Mike Sibilia, one of the brilliant minds behind the organization of Nova Open. Mike graciously gave us a tour of the hotel, showcasing the fantastic facilities, including restaurants, cafes, and bars, as well as the numerous rooms dedicated to board game tournaments, classes, and seminars. It was clear that Nova Open 2024 had taken over nearly every available space in the hotel, transforming it into a buzzing hub of creativity and excitement.
We set up our sales stand at the entrance of level T, right next to the snack bar and alongside our friends and partners from Monument Hobbies. We quickly got to work, preparing the Spraygunner setup and ensuring everything was ready for the big show.
August 28th marked the official start of Nova Open 2024, and from the early hours, we were delighted to see familiar faces—friends, artists, and enthusiasts all coming together. The first day was filled with reunions and introductions, setting the tone for what would become a week-long celebration of the hobby we all love.
To our surprise, the event didn't wind down at the scheduled closing time of 8:00 pm. Instead, the spirit of the community came alive as painters, artists, and friends gathered in every corner of the hotel, sharing their passion late into the night. It was a vibrant party of creativity and camaraderie, showcasing the true essence of Nova Open.
One of the major highlights was Harder & Steenbeck's unveiling of their upcoming release, the Infinity 2024 airbrush. This exciting new product quickly became the talk of the event, drawing attention from artists eager to get a first look. Another big reveal was the launch of the official Nova paint by Monument Hobbies. As a representative and distributor for these brands, Spraygunner prepared special stencils for the event and invited visitors to try out airbrushes, cordless compressors, and other innovative products at our stand.
The event was buzzing with activity, attracting attendees from across the country and even special guests from over five different countries, including Japan. Each day was packed with seminars, classes, and special activities, and the evenings were filled with concerts, karaoke, and more, creating an engaging and lively atmosphere.
A standout feature of Nova Open 2024 was the Capital Palette figure painting contest, which drew over 1,000 entries. The contest showcased an impressive array of figures, busts, dioramas, and models, each bursting with creativity, diverse styles, and innovative painting techniques. The display added a unique dynamic to the event, sparking conversations and inspiring everyone who viewed these works of art.
The awards ceremony was a joyful and heartwarming gathering of friends. There was an electric sense of excitement as the winners of the various categories were announced, and the room was filled with cheers and applause.
As the event wrapped up on September 1st, after the awards ceremony, there were countless hugs, smiles, and farewells as attendees celebrated a week of fun, friendship, learning, and an unforgettable showcase of painting and miniature figures.
Nova Open 2024 was truly a one-of-a-kind event, bringing together passionate individuals from around the globe who share a deep love for the hobby, miniature figures, and board games. It was a gathering that created an unmatched atmosphere of understanding and connection, making everyone feel at home. We left with hearts full of joy and memories that will last a lifetime.
Thank you to everyone who made this event so special. We can’t wait to see you again next year!