Preposterous! How could this be? I have lived in many places in the United States, places with a much larger population base than Arkansas, but found no place with the same amount of resources and support for modelers. On any given week during a month there are at least one-to-three modeling oriented activities available for a modeler to attend. The activities are sponsored by different groups, none of which are associated with one another, but all of which are supportive of each other. Modeling classes are conducted at Pulaski Technical College twice monthly; CASM meets once monthly; and The Fellowship, a group that is supportive of Sci-Fi and figure modelers, meets two-to-three times monthly. In all of these organizations modelers exchange information, wonder at one another’s work, and develop friendships within the hobby. The purpose of each group is to share modeling techniques and ideas so that all who attend can improve their modeling. The groups work in a spirit of cooperation and support for one another and see each group as filling an important niche in the modeling community. Supportive of these three groups are two hobby shops: Hobbytown USA and Rail and Sprue. Each shop complements the other and in total provides the modeler with a wide range of supplies, kits, and expertise. The impact of these groups is evident. Over the past six years I have been in central Arkansas, I have noticed incremental growth in the quality of the models exhibited at local contests, an increase in the number of modelers who gather together, and an increased depth in the friendships amongst modelers in the modeling community. Those of us who live in central Arkansas are truly lucky to live in a place where these kinds of resources and community are available. Central Arkansas a Mecca for modeling: not preposterous, a fact. If you are in the area or are visiting, make the trek to the Mecca of modeling: central Arkansas! You definitely will be welcome in any one of these five places.
