Principality of the Mists Arts & Sciences Competition/Display Schedule
LIX-LX (2025) Theme: Myths and Magic
Throughout history, people have told each other stories about how the world and its wonders were created. These stories have shared histories, taught lessons, and bade grave warnings for the community or offered hope in difficult times. This year, Artisans are encouraged to seek out these stories and interpret them through their preferred art forms.
Please see the A&S Competition Rubric for details about judging criteria. We are also very excited that Their Highnesses continue to support the Silver Muse.
Mists Spring Coronet
Competition One: Winter Spirits & Wild Beasts
Sometimes winter spirits can linger, causing preternaturally cold springs. These are the times that wild beasts draw close to humans: eager for the warmth of a friendly fire or perhaps on the hunt for an unwary snack? Artisans are encouraged to research and depict these strange spirits and beasts in their choice of art form, for perhaps in knowing them, the cold can be driven away!
Competition Two: Magical fire
Long held to be a gift from the gods themselves, fire has the power to help or to harm: a phantom skull, a-glow with baleful fire, lights the path of a heroine through the dark forest. A villain is consumed by the flames of red-hot iron shoes. Artisans are encouraged to find one of the many ways that fire has been brought into story through the study or creation of artifacts that contain the powers of fire.
Mists Spring Investiture
Competition Three: Hair Ornaments and tools
Hair serves as a potent connection between humans and the supernatural forces that surround us. Containing the strength, beauty, or history of an individual, many cultures around the world have denoted the cutting or offering of one’s hair as having special significance. Artisans are encouraged to seek out and study ornaments, tools, and practices associated with the power of hair.
Competition Four: Dolls & Figurines
In the Story “Vasilisa the Brave”, a magical doll assists the protagonist in achieving impossible tasks in order to avoid being eaten by the witch Baba Yaga. Artisans are encouraged to examine the place of dolls, statues, and other figurines from throughout history, their purpose as teaching tools, and their appearance as it varies in time and culture.
Mists Fall Coronet
Competition Five: Masks & Mirrors
How we see ourselves, and how others see us, has been the focus of magic and ritual since time immemorial. Clothing oneself in wolfskin to run under the moon, or using a mirror to apply makeup to subtly change one’s face, masks and mirrors can be used to hide or reveal the true self. Artisans are challenged to find and research myths and artifacts associated with masks, disguises, and mirrors, and how different cultures bring these items into their stories.
Competition Six: Legendary Armor
Made by esteemed artisans and crafted by magic from special materials, legendary armor protects more than just the wearer. From Gorgan’s Heads affixed to shields, swords and spears imbued with power, to the Helmet of Rostam which was crafted from the head of a slain demon, Artisans are encouraged to scour the myths of the world to find rare magical weaponry.
Mists Fall Investiture
Competition Seven: Castles & Cottages
The magical home sets the stage for many myths, be it a home made of gingerbread, a legendary castle filled with knights, or a witch’s house on chicken feet wandering the forest. Artisans are encouraged to research and depict a residence from myth, and share what makes a home magical.
Competition Eight: Ships & Sirens
Adventure awaits on the high seas, but hazards in the form of sirens, sea monsters, and dreadful storms also tread these waters. Artisans are tasked with locating these watery hazards by exploring myths, creating maps, or otherwise investigating what troubles may await the populace of the Mists, lest they encounter rough waters.