Art inspires communities and provides for expression.

MFA creates connections in the community by celebrating and supporting local and national artists by giving them professional avenues for exhibition. Whether at MFA’s iconic location, Circle Gallery on State Circle in Annapolis, or at alternate sites including local restaurants, public buildings, in partnership with other nonprofits, and at the University of Maryland College Park, the public is able to enjoy and learn from artists at all stages of their careers who expand community consciousness through their work.

MFA looks forward to the next half-century, presenting the work of established and emerging artists at Circle Gallery, in alternate locations and to the world through virtual galleries and exhibitions.

CURRENT PRESIDENT

David Diaz: 2011 – Present

David Diaz lives in Annapolis, MD and is primarily a plein air artist working in oil and pastels with a focus on regional subjects.

He received formal training in the public schools of Western Maryland and Frostburg State University; as well as University of Maryland, Towson and Catholic University. He is an award-winning artist and educator who has taught art in Allegany County and Anne Arundel County in Maryland, and has worked with students from elementary through middle school, as well as adult education and private lessons.

His work is in collections in the United States, Europe, and Asia, and is featured in “100 Plein Air Painters of the Mid-Atlantic”, a 2014 book by Gary Pendleton. In addition to his role as the MFA President of the Board of Directors, he also co-chairs the MFA Exhibition Committee, works with installations at Quiet Waters art galleries. David is also on the Board of the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters.

In 2014, David Diaz received the Anne Arundel County “Annie Award” as the Visual Artist of the year.

STAFF

Joann Vaughan, Executive Director

Joann Vaughan has a 20-year career in nonprofit management. At MFA she has made it her goal to expand MFA’s mission of exhibiting current art created by living artists. Prior to coming to MFA in June 2008, she created and ran the Annapolis Book Festival, building it from an idea to a multi-faceted, nationally televised event. Her prior experience includes serving as the Director of Education and training for Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity and serving on the international board of the Association of Junior Leagues International. She holds a BA from the University of Virginia and a masters in management from the University of Maryland University College. She is a certified consultant for the Standards for Excellence.

In 2018, Joann received the first Annie Award for the Art of Leadership in the Arts from the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County and a TWIN (Tribute to Women & Industry) Award from the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County YWCA.

Evan Herzing, Exhibition Manager

Martha Campbell, Communications Manager

Laura Carty, Gallery Intern

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee

David Diaz, Artist, President, Exhibition Committee Chair

Patrice Drago, Artist, External Vice President

Wil Scott, Artist, National Gallery of Art (ret), Internal Vice President

Stephanie Reisinger, International Monetary Fund, Treasurer

Craig Friedrich, Development Vice President

Kathleen Mathai, Exelon Corporation, Secretary

Directors

Ward Anderson, Artist

Sharon Arsenault, Exhibition Committee Chair

Joseph Dickey, (Emeritus), Artist, Johns Hopkins University, Development Committee

Sarah Jane Dunaway, Artist, Sarah Jane & Co.

Michelle Fauntleroy, Resource Development Committee

Elizabeth Kendall, Artist, Standards for Excellence Chair

Bob Peterson, Artist

Kate Stillwell, Artist, Exhibition Committee

Martha Spencer, Laureate International Universities, Resource Development

Jason Vaughan, Graphic Designer, Historic Preservationist, Baltimore National Heritage Area, Communications Committee