VERKO’S VAULT
MASTERS CONTEST
The Verko's Vault Model Contest (VVMC) returns to the Las Vegas Open as a premier miniature painting contest with a special focus on gaming miniatures, drawing artists from across the globe. Hosted by the Verko's Vault Museum of Fantasy Miniatures, the VVMC celebrates craftsmanship, creativity, and the artistry behind the hobby.
Open to painters of all levels, the competition features multiple categories and a rigorous judging process designed to highlight excellence in painting, composition, and storytelling. It's a rare opportunity to see incredible work up close and throw your own hat in the ring.
Whether you are competing for top honors or simply sharing your work with the community, the VVMC offers an inspiring space to connect with fellow artists and experience some of the finest miniature painting on display.
Join us at LVO this year and be part of one of the hobby's most exciting celebrations of miniature art.
THE VVMC 2026
The VVMC is a structured, skill-based open miniature painting competition hosted by the Verko’s Vault, Museum of Fantasy Miniatures! At Verko’s Vault, we are committed to celebrating miniature art through fair and consistent evaluation. We believe that artistic growth should be measurable, and that every artist deserves clear insight into their progression. The Verko’s Vault Masters Contest is built on balanced judging, independent scoring, and objective results. By combining multiple expert perspectives into a unified system, the VVMC provides artists with a reliable benchmark for their skills across all styles and genres. Join us as artists from around the world come together to test their craft, refine their abilities, and celebrate the pursuit of mastery in miniature art.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
The VVMC is a structured, open-entry competition designed to help artists benchmark their skill progression. Each entry is evaluated independently by multiple judges to produce consistent, fair results across all skill levels.
$5 per entry
Max 2 entries per category
Open to all models; branded, custom or created
Entries must be original work
Balanced Judging Standards
Late entries not accepted
DATE, TIMES, LOCATION
Submissions and display take place inside the Las Vegas Open.
Entry Registration: Friday & Saturday (9AM–5PM)
Judging: Friday & Saturday evenings
Awards Ceremony: Sunday (4:00PM–5:30PM)
CATEGORIES
Bust
Small Figure
Large Figure
Diorama & Storytelling
Squad
Vehicle & Ordnance
Additional Exhibitions:
Display Exhibition (non-competitive)
Youth Exhibition (15 and under)
Judges Exhibition
AWARDS
Best in Show – $500
Category Top Prizes:
Gold Finalist – $200
Silver Finalist – $100
Bronze Finalist – $50
Medals of Merit are awarded in all categories (Certificate, Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold).
Cash Prizes are awarded as Gift Certificates to Verko's Vault Store.
JUDGING SYSTEM
All entries are evaluated by a balanced panel of 3 judges using independent scoring. Results are tracked and monitored to ensure judging consistency.
Round 1 – Medals of Merit
Each judge scores 0–4 points. Combined scores determine: Certificate, Iron, Bronze, Silver, or Gold Medal.
Round 2 – Finalists Awards
Gold medal entries advance to determine category winners and Best in Show using a consensus of all Judges.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Artistry – Overall visual impact and artistic intent Technique – Execution of painting and modeling methods Presentation – Composition, storytelling, and display
DISPLAY REQUIREMENTS
Each category has size and format limits:
Small Figure: max 3" x 3"
Large Figure: max 9" x 9"
Bust: max 6" x 6"
Diorama: max 12" x 12"
Squad: max 12" x 6"
Vehicle: max 9" x 9"
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Judges must recuse from conflicts of interest
Entries must be submitted in person by the artist
Organizers may photograph entries for promotional use
Inappropriate or non-compliant entries will be disqualified
PRIZES & AWARDS
The Verko’s Vault Masters Contest features over $3,000 in total prizes, awarded across multiple levels of achievement to recognize excellence throughout the field. At the highest level, Best in Show honors the top entry of the competition, selected from the strongest finalists across all categories.
Each category also awards Gold, Silver, and Bronze Finalist placements, recognizing the top-performing entries within their field. In addition to these top prizes, the VVMC awards Medals of Merit in every category, including Certificate, Iron, Bronze, Silver, and Gold distinctions.
These medals are earned through judging and are not limited in number, ensuring that all work meeting the standard is recognized accordingly. Together, these awards create a system that recognizes both top-tier excellence and achievement across all skill levels.
