SMALL SCALE, BIG IMPACT

Participant Guide & Competition Rules 

Quest Art School + Gallery × Event Horizon Hobbies



 

About The Exhibition 

Small Scale, Big Impact is a juried miniature art exhibition and painting competition that presents tabletop miniatures as finished works of visual art in a formal gallery setting. The exhibition is brand-agnostic: artists may use any manufacturer, game system, independent sculpt, 3D print, conversion or scratch-built model. Selection and awards recognize the completed artwork, not brand, game popularity or the amount of modification involved.
 

Important Dates

October 19th, 2026: Open call launches
November 21st, 2026: Online submission and $30 fee deadline

November 24th, 2026: Selected artists notified (Target)

Saturday, November 28th, 2026 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM): Preferred physical intake at Quest; photography and labels

December 4th, 2026: Exhibition opens; Community Choice voting begins

December 8th, 2026: Opening reception; optional speed-painting activities

December 28th, 2026: Community Choice voting closes (exact time to be published)

Saturday, January 2nd, 2027 (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Awards celebration; artwork sign-out afterward

Tuesday, January 5th, 2027: Final Quest clearance; remaining works collected from EHH

Artists unable to attend the November 28 intake should email Quest to arrange an alternative drop-off during operating hours. Quest will provide the final intake instructions to selected artists.

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Artist Eligibility and Categories

Artists of any experience level may apply if they can arrange physical delivery and collection of accepted works. Artists aged 16 and under at submission may enter Youth or an appropriate open category; a parent or guardian must authorize a minor’s participation.

Youth - 16 & Under (4x4x4 in): One model painted by an artist aged 16 or under
Fantasy Individual (4x4x4 in): One primarily humanoid/character-scale fantasy subject
Science Fiction Individual (4x4x4 in): One primarily humanoid/character-scale futuristic or science-fiction subject
Monsters (12x12x12 in): One monster or large creature, such as a dragon, giant or monstrous beast
Vehicles (12x12x12 in): One vehicle, walker, aircraft, mechanical conveyance or war engine

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Single-Model Presentation

• One principal miniature or vehicle per entry; dioramas and multi-figure narrative scenes are not eligible.

• Scenic bases, plinths and small secondary details (for example, a familiar, pet, drone or decorative figure) are permitted when subordinate to the principal subject.

• Models must be painted by the submitting artist. Previously exhibited works, kitbashes, conversions, scratch builds, and 3D prints are permitted

• Basing is not only encouraged, but mandatory. Conversion complexity does not itself earn extra judging points.​

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Submission and Juried Selection

• Each artist may submit up to three works, with no more than one work per category. A separate application and non-refundable $30 jury fee are required for each work, whether or not it is accepted. Fees support Quest and the exhibition.

• The online application will request artist name, contact information and address; category; work title; complete dimensions; declared value for insurance; and whether the work is offered for sale.

• Supply up to four JPEG photographs: two full views from different angles and two close-ups. Final upload size limits will be shown on Quest’s submission form. No artist statement is required.

• Acceptance is selective and subject to artistic merit, gallery suitability and exhibition capacity. The jury may accept fewer works than the physical maximum. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified without individual critique.

• The physically delivered work must match the selected submission. Substitutions require advance approval.

Intake, gallery display and artwork care

Selected artists should deliver works to Quest on Saturday, November 28 between 10 am and 4 pm, or arrange an alternate time with Quest. The artist is responsible for protective packaging and must attach their name and work title to the miniature; Quest can provide a temporary label at intake. Quest controls gallery placement, display and installation.

Quest plans to photograph each accepted miniature using its photography equipment and display an enlarged photograph alongside each work. Print size will depend on the final exhibition layout. Each accepted artist will be offered the print featuring their work at the end of the exhibition.

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Quest advises that accepted works are insured under its gallery policy during installation, exhibition and deinstallation, but not during transportation. Artists must provide a declared value even when the work is not for sale. Coverage and any compensation remain subject to Quest’s policy terms and intake agreement; artists should not assume unlimited replacement coverage. Quest’s community standards and exhibition suitability requirements apply.

Judging and Awards

A cross-disciplinary jury representing miniature painting and visual art will evaluate the works. Judges score seven criteria from 1 to 10, up to 70 points per judge: Technical Execution; Colour, Light & Contrast; Detail & Refinement; Creativity & Artistic Interpretation; Basing — Execution & Integration; Composition & Presentation; and Overall Artistic Impact. Judges evaluate each work within its artistic style, without automatically rewarding expensive kits, large models, complex conversions or personal genre preferences.

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Awards are planned for each of the five categories, Best in Show and Community Choice. One award per work is the current competition policy. Prize packages and the separate identity of the Best in Show trophy will be announced when confirmed.

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Community Choice

Public voting will take place through the official EHH online exhibition gallery (via Instagram), accessible from Quest and by gallery QR code. Voting opens December 4 and closes December 28 at a time to be published. Each person may cast one vote for more than one artwork if desired. Participating artists may vote, but not for their own work. Quest and EHH will review and exclude duplicate, incomplete or otherwise invalid votes and jointly certify the result. Any tie-breaking procedure will be announced before voting opens.

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Sales and Photography Permission

Artists may offer their work for sale at a price they determine. Quest will manage exhibition sales and retain a 30% commission. Artwork remains on display until its authorized release; Quest will coordinate transfer of sold work.

By submitting, the artist authorizes Quest Art School + Gallery and Event Horizon Hobbies to photograph an accepted miniature and reproduce those images solely for this exhibition, including gallery display, enlarged exhibition prints, the online exhibition, Community Choice voting and related exhibition promotion. Use beyond this exhibition requires additional permission. The artist will receive the printed photograph of their accepted work following the exhibition. Artist credit will accompany images where practical.

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Awards Ceremony, Collection and Prizes

The awards celebration is planned for Saturday, January 2, 2027, from 2 to 4 pm. Artists with unsold works are encouraged to sign out and collect their miniatures after the event, once Quest authorizes release. Works not collected will be transferred to Event Horizon Hobbies by the end of Tuesday, January 5, for subsequent pickup under arrangements communicated to artists. Artists will be notified of awards if absent and can collect prizes when retrieving their work; award pickup arrangements will be coordinated with EHH and Quest.

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The December 8 opening reception will be alcohol-free. The January 2 celebration is planned to offer a bar and light refreshments, subject to venue arrangements. Cocktail attire is encouraged at both events.

 

Conditions and Contact

Quest and EHH reserve the right to decline or remove works that breach published eligibility requirements, gallery community standards or applicable law. Artists remain responsible for safe transport to and from approved collection points. Official submission, acceptance, voting and pickup instructions will be issued through Quest and EHH channels.

For submissions and alternate delivery appointments, contact Quest Art School + Gallery through the exhibition call. For exhibition and miniature-hobby questions, contact Event Horizon Hobbies.

Printable Participation Rules 

Printable Judging Rubric 

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