OSWCC would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Star Wars conceptual artist Ralph McQuarrie. He was responsible for the look and feel of many classic designs from Star Wars, and his influence can still be seen today. In fact, Mr. McQuarrie’s artwork helped convince 20th Century Fox to take a gamble on George Lucas’ dream, making him a key component in one of the most beloved franchises of all time.

Rest in peace, Mr. McQuarrie.

This year is a very exciting one for OSWCC! We have a number of great things to look forward to in 2012:

• The launch of the Star Wars: The Old Republic online game
• Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 3D
• The fifth season of the Clone Wars cartoon
• New Hasbro product and packaging now arriving in stores
• New deluxe offerings from ArtFX, eFX, Gentle Giant and Sideshow
• The 15th Annual Summer Social being held in Central Ohio
• Another successful charity auction
• Representing the club at Star Wars: Celebration VI in Orlando, FL
• Setting up our traveling booth at regional pop culture shows

and finally, we are celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the Ohio Star Wars Collectors Club all year long!

Our club theme will reflect all the best the club has had to offer over the years, and relate to all of the planets of Star Wars. Artwork, giveaways, the Social and the membership kits will reflect our anniversary. It’s going to be a great year for OSWCC, and we can’t wait to get it started!

Join us…and forever will we dominate your destiny…

OSWCC is heading up to Columbus in October for the biggest con in our home state, Mid-Ohio Con! This show has always been great to promote our club. If you are planning to attend the show, please stop by our booth and say hello. This year, you have the opportunity to meet Lando himself, Billy Dee Williams at the show. He will be appearing and signing autographs. Check out the Mid-Ohio Con site for details. The show runs October 22-23, 2011.

OSWCC will be exhibiting at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 17, 2011. We are looking forward to meeting anyone who has an interest in our organization. Please stop by the booth at the show if you get a chance. This will be our first visit to the Cincinnati Comic Expo, and it will be a great time for everyone! The show runs from 10am-5:30pm. Check out show information at their website.

The Ohio Star Wars Collectors Club is packing up and hitting the road to the Windy City for the Chicago Comic-Con! This will be our first time as an exhibitor at this show, and we are excited to meet anyone with an interest in Star Wars collecting. We know a huge number of people from the Buckeye State make a trip to Rosemont, IL every year for this show, and felt that we could get in touch with a ton of like minded fans. If you’re headed to the show, please stop by and say hello. More information on the show itself and tickets can be purchased at wizardworld.com. This is the one of the largest pop culture cons in the midwest, and is always a great time. Darth Maul himself, Ray Park is appearing to sign autographs and pose for photos. The Chicago Comic-Con takes place from August 11-14, 2011

]]> http://oswcc.com/?feed=rss2&p=284 http://oswcc.com/?p=285 http://oswcc.com/?p=285#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 02:42:09 +0000 Oswcc South http://oswcc.com/?p=285 OSWCC Summer Social XIV

What:
The fourteenth annual OSWCC Summer Social is this Saturday! Come and enjoy an entire day of Star Wars fun with something for everyone. Spend the day talking, trading, buying and selling Star Wars with friends and collectors from all over Ohio and beyond.

Keep up to date with discussion on the event in the OSWCC forums right here!

Location:

Oakley Masonic Temple

3515 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, Ohio 45209

Directions:

Click here for Google Maps

Hotels:

There are many nice hotels in the Blue Ash and Mason areas, as well as historic hotels in downtown Cincinnati that are close to the Social’s location. If you search on expedia.com or hotels.com, select those areas to ensure a good night’s sleep after a great day! Kings Island amusement park is near Mason as well, if you are looking for some family fun on Friday or Sunday.

Exclusives!

The OSWCC Summer Social wouldn’t be complete without some excellent exclusive OSWCC branded merchandise to commemorate the day! Every year we’ve done a custom proof card, and this year is no exception. In fact there will be TWO proof cards this year, each one featuring a different droid that has been featured in the Star Tours attractions at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Star Tours relaunched this year, and our proof cards commemorate the classic attraction and the re-imagined one as well.

This year we’ll have exclusive plastic name badges to collect, featuring thirteen different designs by official LucasFilm artist, Jamie Snell. Each member that RSVPs by July 26 at midnight EST will receive a personalized badge with their name on it and their appropriate design. Complete sets are currently for sale in the members only OSWCC store  and will also be for sale at the Social. The set will feature an exclusive Inner Circle badge that is available only in the set. Badge Sets are only $15. There is an exclusive proof card that comes with the badge set purchase. Jamie will be on hand to do commissions and sign autographs all day.

We have two special guest speakers at the social this year. First is Steve Mays, member of the R2 Builders Club, who will talk about the complexities of building a real life R2-D2. Secondly, Tom Neiheisel was a Market Research Director with Kenner Toys during the vintage era of Star Wars. Tom will be answering questions and telling stories about the vintage toy line and bringing some rare and one of a kind items to show off. We are very excited to have both of these gentlemen attending the Social for the first time.

OSWCC 2011 R2 Ohio shirts will be distributed to those members who pre-ordered and a very limited number will be for sale at the Social. Don’t forget the OSWCC goody bag as you some in the door! The goody bag is for fully paid OSWCC members only, first come first served while supplies last.

Add to all of this our traditional raffle, our fun filled charity auction which benefits the Ronald McDonald House, games, sales area, guest panels, food and a few other surprises, and we’ve got one terrific day of Star Wars fun planned for the OSWCC membership!

For more information, OSWCC Members can log into the discussion forums. For non-members, feel free to come by and check us out! The Social is a great opportunity to see what OSWCC is all about. Admission is only $5 at the door, and while everyone is welcome, any non-member under 18 must be accompanied by their parent or guardian. Any questions please send an email to social@oswcc.com.

Here is a look at this year’s excellent ad for Star Wars Weekends. Every summer, Star Wars fans gather at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World for autographs, celebrity sightings, exclusive merchandise, the Jedi Training Academy and general Star Wars fun. It will feature the return of Star Tours version 2.0, with a new state of the art 3-D ride experience that will open in May and stars Admiral Ackbar…and a bunch of other characters. Check disneyworld.com for more details.

Please join us in welcoming our new artist, Jamie Snell. If you’re not familiar with his work, check it out at ragelion.com. His style will fit in very well with our theme for next year…

Also, thanks again to our friend Mark LeMieux, who did all the art chores for us in 2010.

If you’ve been wanting to check us out, now is the time! Drop us an email at membership@oswcc.com. Membership kits will be going out in the first quarter of 2011.

MTFBWY