Visit Circle Gallery to experience our exhibitions in person
Located on State Circle across from the Maryland Statehouse, Circle Gallery is an adaptive reuse of an 1820’s era warehouse. MFA opened Circle Gallery in 1968 to host 12 exhibitions a year and house our main office.
During the pandemic, we have done our best to offer a clean and socially distanced experience to viewers. Please follow the gallery manager’s directions on entering the building and maintain distance from others in the space.
Get directions to Circle GalleryThank you to our Sponsors





In 2013, MFA celebrated its 50th Anniversary. Watch the video to see what all the excitement was about!
50th Anniversary and History of MFA
And see what we are doing now…
MFA Arts Management Fellowship
MFA’s Fellows Program was created to provide hands-on experience in arts management and non-profit leadership to recent college graduates. The goal of the Fellowship is to help educate the next generation of arts leaders.
The program is open to legal residents of the United States who are graduating from an accredited college or university in 2021 or who have graduated in the past two years. To apply, email a resume and cover letter to info@mdfedart.org.
Meet Us
STAFF
We are now searching for our next Executive Director. If you are interested, please email your resume to Craig Friedrich at craigfriedrich13@gmail.com by October 20, 2023.
View the Executive Director Job Description here.
Joann Vaughan, Interim Executive Director • jvaughan@mdfedart.org
Well, I’m back at the best job I ever had – at least for a while!
First, I know that I join the entire MFA community in wishing Ann and her family well as her daughter Flora pursues her love of the sea! In a few years I am sure that we all will be watching Flora sail in the Olympics and the network will feature Ann and her husband Andrew in an “up close and personal” feature. It’s everyone’s dream to pursue a passion!
And I guess that’s why I’m back. When I served as executive director from 2008 to 2022, I was constantly inspired watching our member artists pursue their passions – in a variety of mediums. The chance to work with people who consistently challenge themselves with their own creativity is exciting, motivating and rare.
When the MFA Board President asked me to come back on an interim basis while the Board conducted a search for the new ED, I was both flattered and intrigued. As my husband said, “Why wouldn’t you go back.”
So I’m here at Circle Gallery working with everyone – and especially Exhibitions Manager Laura Carty who is the mainstay for the organization as we sail through the change. And I’m back – for a while. I hope you stop in to say hello because, like Brigadoon, I’ll disappear in the mist mid-January – or earlier – when someone else gets the chance to have the best job they’ll ever have.
Laura Carty, Exhibitions Manager • exhibitions@mdfedart.org
Karen Ricketts, President • krickettsmdfedart@gmail.com
Karen Ricketts is president of the Maryland Federation of Art and has served as a board member for 3 years. As a board member, Karen chaired the Resource Development committee and has supported many fundraising activities.
Karen holds an arts degree from Mary Washington University and began her career with a private multimedia studio arts business. However, her career journey would lead her to a 30-year career in information technology. During these years, Karen rose through the ranks from Programmer to Project Management and on to various leadership roles. In 2020, Karen retired as a Regional Vice President with Salesforce.com.
While the busy pace of raising young daughters and managing a corporate career interrupted Karen’s artistic pursuit – her love and appreciation of the arts has always remained at her core.
Karen resides in Annapolis with her husband. They enjoy the Annapolis boating lifestyle and spending time with their two young grandchildren.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Committee
Karen Ricketts, President
Craig Friedrich, Operations Vice President
Emil Petruncio, Artist, PR & Programming Vice President
Morgan Dwyer, Artist, Development Vice President
Stephanie Sams, International Monetary Fund, Treasurer
Hope Stewart, Secretary
Directors
Carolyn Andros, Artist
Sharon Arsenault, Exhibition Committee Chair
David Diaz, Artist, Exhibition Committee Chair
Joseph Dickey, (Emeritus), Artist, Johns Hopkins University
Patrice Drago, Artist
Michelle Fauntleroy, Membership Committee
Richard Issacman, Artist, Technology Committee
Craig Newcomb, Brightview Senior Living, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Committee Chair
Wil Scott, Artist, Exhibitions Committee
Martha Spencer, Global Head, International Baccalaureate Educator Network & School Delivery, Exhibitions Committee
Jen Sterling, Artist, PR & Programing Committee
Jason Vaughan, Architectural Historian, Graphic Designer, Historic Preservationist, Baltimore National Heritage Area, PR & Programing Committee
Michele Ward, T. Rowe Price, Investment Committee chair
MFA Partners

Alternate Venue for MFA’s annual member exhibition MFA @ Gallery B. Located in Bethesda.

Alternate Venue. Hosts of Annual Collector’s Choice. The Annual Event is held in their beautiful showroom each year!

Alternate Venue for MFA members. MFA Members are welcome to hang any artwork. Exhibitions run in three month cycles.

Alternate Venue. Greek restaurant on West Street, Annapolis MD 21401.