Models for the masses

St. James-Assiniboia

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/04/2024 (615 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Attention modellers young and old — ValourCon is swooping back in to the Royal Canadian Legion, St. James Branch No. 4 (1755 Portage Ave.) on April 26 and 27.

The modelling contest and convention is hosted by International Plastic Modellers Society (IPMS) Winnipeg, also known as the Valour Road Chapter of IPMS Canada, which meets regularly on the second floor of the Legion. On the evening of April 26 and all day April 27 the space will display with more than 140 museum-grade scale models.

The convention began as a small contest amongst the artists, and has since grown into a showcase of modelled art from around the province. Prior to a hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, ValourCon saw people from nearby provinces travelling long distances to view the work on display.

“The last time that we (did) this, we got up to 200 people dropping in and visiting, not necessarily being active participants, but just being there to see what it was all about,” said Bill Zuk, a member of the group since 1970.

Zuk has written a number of books, worked on 18 films, and has helped create more than one public sculpture in Winnipeg. He began working on models when he was a young boy, and told a story of how, on his way to hospital to have his tonsils removed, he was offered the choice of a model plane kit or a comic book after the operation. He chose the model, and hasn’t stopped since.

Zuk, along with 18 other modellers in the club, has also been working on a collaborative project commemorating Winnipeg’s 150th anniversary — a huge scale model of the city, currently residing in Zuk’s basement. It will be featured at the show.

The group features a diverse selection of people — doctors, lawyers, filmmakers, writers, engineers … even retired test pilots, Zuk said, who actually know how to fly the planes they’re replicating. At its height, the club featured 100 members, but now has around 50 active members, post-pandemic.

The selection of models on view at the show will be just as broad as the club’s membership — everything from vehicles and motorcycles, which take up the majority of the show, to large-scale sci-fi replicas featuring UFOs and alien machines.

The diverse aspect of model-making is one of its major attractions, Zuk said.

“The demographics have changed tremendously,” he said.

“That’s being reflected in the modelling industry as well. Model kits are now designed in such a way that they’re (accessible) for either the expert modeller who’s had models before, to the young and new modeller … with all the accessories you need. So there’s been an effort by the modelling industry to understand that things have changed, and you have to keep with the times.”

IPMS Winnipeg offers a number of initiatives throughout the year, including Make N’ Take, which is directed at youth and newcomers to Canada; Vet Build, for military veterans; and Support Your Local Hobby Shop, which is self-explanatory.

The club will display some of its long-term projects at this year’s Red River Ex and the Manitoba Mega Train Show.

Annual membership is $25, and more information can be found online at www.ipmswinnipeg.ca