Greetings! Kublacon '09 is almost upon us! The KublaAwards Mini-Painting
Competition has exciting new changes this year!

We are pleased to announce the new "Open" style judging for the KublaAwards.
"What is 'Open judging', you might ask? Well, allow me to explain:

The old familiar style of judging was commonly known as "Podium" judging, and
has been a mainstay of competitions such as Games Workshop's "Golden Demon
Awards", where entries are divided up by many categories and genres, and in each
category there are three winners in the order of Gold, Silver, and Bronze. This
is a reputable and time-honored judging system, but is not the only one, and is
not without its drawbacks.

Common problems with Podium Judging involve under and over represented
categories. For example: Fantasy Single is often the most highly contested
category...dozens of entries may in fact be Gold-worthy, but the hard choices
must be made, and wonderful entries must be weeded out to just the top three.
Often, the same well-known high-end painters walk away with the trophies year
after year, discouraging new painters from entering. While in another category,
there may not be even enough entries to fill out the top three, thereby granting
automatic trophy status to whatever happens to have been entered. This tends to
cheapen the trophy.

Now, enter the Open Judging System! This style of competition is *merit-based*.
The panel of judges critique the entries based on quality of artistry and
technique. You are not judged against your neighbor, but against a 'standard'.
If your entry is Gold-worthy, then you will in fact win a Gold trophy! This
style of judging has been practiced for many years at Historical conventions and
European competitions. This year, many American painting competitions have
adopted variations of the Open System, including GenghisCon, ReaperCon, and our
very own KublaCon!

Genres will be eliminated. There are now two main categories: the Open Category
is the main competition, and the Masterclass category is for high-end prestige
competition. Masterclass will be judged to a more stringent standard. Those who
place in Masterclass are indeed the Best of the Best! Both categories are judged
according to Open rules.

Rules for entry:
Each competitor may enter a max total of 4 entries. For entry purposes, these
will be restricted to 2 Singles, 1 Squad, and 1 Large. You may choose to enter
any entry into either the main Open, or the Masterclass category.

Single is defined as any normal-sized mini under 3" in any dimension.
Squad is a themed grouping of at least 3 miniatures.
Large is any miniature larger than 3" in any dimension.

There are additional awards that will be handed out for Best of Reaper, Best of
GW, Best of Privateer Press....and a single award for the Best of Show
"KublaSword".

We will also carry on our traditional KublaKids category for painters 15 years
old and under. This category will continue using the Podium System.

Members of the Judging panel ARE allowed to enter the competition, but of course
will not be judging their own entries.

To celebrate our new KublaAwards system, we also have NEW TROPHIES! Our very own
local celebrity sculptor, Matt Gubser (of Prophet Miniatures) has been
commissioned to sculpt 3 new trophies. And they are beauties! The Open category
will be receiving medallions with the face of our Kubla mascot. The Masterclass
will get a bust of Kubla trophy. And the Best of Show is a stunning, and GIANT,
arm holding the coveted KublaSword. These are beautiful and exciting new
trophies! Be sure to catch Matt Gubsers popular sculpting classes at KublaCon
this year.

Entries will be accepted anytime at the Paint-n-Take area in the main foyer, on
Fri, Sat, and Sun till noon. Every care will be taken by Kubla staff to ensure
the safety of competition entries, but Kublacon staff, volunteers, and hotel
cannot be held responsible for lost, damaged or unclaimed entries. Please
reclaim entries anytime after 5pm Sunday, or Monday morning. Entry implies
consent for Kublacon to photograph and display entries during convention and
online. Previous KublaAwards winning entries are ineligible for further entry.
Judges decisions are considered final.

Come to KublaCon '09 and enjoy the new improved KublaAwards Competition, the
Paint-n-Take tables, Speedpainting contests, and seminars.

See you at KublaCon! May 22-25, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency, Burlingame, next to
the SF airport. http://www.Kublacon.com

Wayne Rogers,
Kublacon Mini-Painting director