ModelMania 2026 brings open judging, Texas theme to Stafford Centre

For painters, the biggest story was the judging. IPMS Houston has used an open, points-based system at ModelMania since 2024, replacing the old first, second and third place format with gold, silver and bronze awards. That matters on a painter’s table because it rewards the work in front of the judge, not just the size of the class. A first-time entrant with a clean figure build, sharp blends and disciplined basing can land in the same conversation as a veteran builder. The club says the approach follows the basic premise developed by Shep Paine, to recognize strong work and encourage promising modelers in a juried-exhibition style setup.

The field was broad enough to keep figure painters moving. ModelMania included aircraft, armour, cars, ships, figures, sci-fi and dioramas, plus junior and beginner categories. That mix is exactly where a painter can steal ideas worth taking back to the desk, from armor weathering and vehicle chipping to diorama composition, groundwork and lighting cues on display pieces. The 2026 theme, “TEXAS!”, was intentionally broad, covering anything built in Texas, from Texas, served in Texas or otherwise related to the state.

The show’s size also made it more than a contest. Stafford Centre is a convention center and event space, with roughly 20,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space and a seated capacity of about 1,105, which helps explain how the hall could hold a vendor area, display tables, raffles and door prizes alongside hundreds of models. For painters looking to stock up, that matters as much as the trophy table. Even if the latest purchase is a Kolinsky brush, a new resin bust or a base-building accessory, the vendor floor is part of the day.