OnArt - "Convention of Balloon Artists" 2018

OnArt - "Convention of Balloon Artists," a Qualatex-sponsored event, has just celebrated its 11th Anniversary. From the 5th-7th October, 2018, the Hotel FrontAir Congress in Barcelona, Spain, became home for nearly two hundred delegates, sponsors, and organisers, including eleven fabulous instructors from around the globe — twenty different countries, in fact!  

Fabulous "Barcelona" balloon wall and "Motor Bike" 
designed by Vadim Sushkanov, CBA.

OnArt founder Jósemarie Álvarez with his wife Cristina Cano of Globofiesta Party S.L.,   first started the balloon artist event in 2008. For me, this was very special as I was one of the first instructors to teach at this fabulous convention.

This three-day event promised to be action-packed, fun-filled, and with many amazing learning opportunities! It did not fail on any level. 

The event kicked off with a CBA examination under the watchful eye of Keith Stirman, CBA. Congratulations to the thirteen new CBAs who passed!

The welcome party was the perfect opportunity for everyone to meet up. The fabulous party decor below was created by Edward Muñoz and Vadim Shushkanov.

Beautiful "Candy'" theme entrance decor by Edward Muñoz

Fabulous "Candy" theme decor by Edward Muñoz

 "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" 

by Barbara Rosatelli 

Competitions are always a big part of any balloon event. Delegates had the opportunity to enter five different competitions: 
Table Decoration: Communion
Balloon Bouquets: New Born
Column Design: Happy Birthday
12 Minute Twisting: Open theme
Balloon Hat: Open Theme

Here are some of the fabulous competition entries.

"Flying Baby"
Marion Rudolph

1st place Balloon Bouquet - "Flying Baby" by Marion Rudolph.
1st place Birthday Column - "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" by Barbara Rosatelli.

Carlo Vavenotti
"Country Communion"

The competitors who entered the table competition had to imagine a very demanding customer who wants a special table decoration in the communion of their child. 

Mariann Nagy
"Green Dream"

They were required to design an unforgettable table that could include some type of structure, Columns, bows, table arrangements or helium balloons.

There were two 1st place winners in this category: Carlo Vavenotti - "Country Communion" and Mariann Nagy - "Green Dream."

OnArt always has a fabulous group of international instructors, and this year was no exception! With Vadim Shushkanov, CBA, and Olga Baranova, CBA, both from Russia, Keith Stirman, CBA, from the U.K., Edward Muñoz, CBA, from the U.S.A.,  Tania Martín, CBA, Laura Sanchez, CBA, and Toñy Moncada, CBA, from Spain, Miguel & André Rego, CBA from Portugal, Valter Saladino, CBA, from Sicily, and  Nikita Fric, CBA, from Slovenia.

Beautiful Table Setting Displays by
 Toñy Moncada

Fabulous Halloween characters by
Laura Sanchez

18th Birthday Column
by Valter Saladino

Stunning Photo Frame design by
Edward Muñoz

Congratulations to the OnArt Team, Jósemarie Álvarez, Cristina Cano, Joao Laranjeira, CEO Balõs Festa, Portugal, Tania Martín, and Noe Bertomeu for organising such a fabulous event!

And thank you to Qualatex and the Pioneer Europe Team, Premium Balloon Accessories and John Bowler, and Hi-Float for their support. 

Entrance Decor by
Valter Saladino

This was an International event with classes taught in both English and Spanish. If you are interested in attending any future Qualatex-sponsored events, check out "Qualatex Events" on Qualatex.com

Happy Ballooning!

Sue
www.suebowler.com