Member Opportunities

Welcome to MFA

Thank you for your support of Maryland Federation of Art who with your help keeps ART a PART of the community! MFA is a nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to create meaningful connections in the community through art.

We are building connections to further promote our member artists’ work here in Annapolis, around Maryland, and all across the world . We have expanded our exclusive membership benefits to include exhibition opportunities around the state as well as new locations in Annapolis to increase visibility in our vibrant and growing art community. Being a part of MFA is a valuable part of building a successful career as an artist.

MFA appreciates every member and works to give artists and their art a stronger voice and richer involvement in our communities. We also welcomes art enthusiast members who want to be a member of a rich, diverse art community. Basic membership for artists and art enthusiasts begins at $70 ($25 for current students).

In addition to our four juried member-only shows and discounts on entry fees for over ten nationally juried shows and six international shows, there are many reasons to join MFA.

MFA is active in seeking out locations to showcase member art.

  • Current members may take advantage of member exhibitions in Circle Gallery as well as off-site exhibitions such as Gallery B in Bethesda and local Annapolis businesses such as Paul’s Homewood Cafè and 49 West, and aletnative venues such as Lowe House of Delegates.
  • Current members can showcase their work in a custom Member Gallery which gives artists their own webpage with just their work.
  • Current members can keep up with gallery happenings and showcase their exhibits outside of Circle Gallery in the Member Memo emailed each Wednesday and receive preference for being showcased on our social media accounts.
  • Current members can be featured on our blog for Member News and sharing their Artist’s Opportunities. 
  • Current members have preference on MFA’s social media and email promotions which reach thousands of collectors and art enthusiasts in the Mid-Atlatic and beyond.

Current membership has grown to over 700, bringing together artists and art enthusiasts in our community, nationally, and internationally. Along with normal membership, MFA offers a Global Membership option for artists outside of North America. Global Members will receive discounts on entry fees to our online juried exhibitions and are eligible for solo exhibitions with MFA’s partners, as well as our online benefits like member portfolios and galleries.

MFA also hosts exhibitions at locations all around Maryland. Our venues include:

  • Circle Gallery @ 18 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401
  • Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts @ 801 Chase Street, Annapolis MD 21401
  • Annapolis Maritime Museum @ 723 Second Street, Annapolis, MD 21403
  • Hospice Gallery 90 @ 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122
  • Lowe House of Delegates Building @ 6 Bladen St, Annapolis, MD 21401
  • Gallery B @ 7700 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814
  • Paul’s Homewood Cafe @ 919 West St, Annapolis, MD 21401
  • 49 West Coffehouse, Wine Bar @ 49 West St, Annapolis, MD 21401

Other rotating and past venues include:

  • The Art Gallery at College Park @ 1202 Art-Sociology Building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
  • Calvert Marine Museum @ 14200 Solomons Island Rd. S, Solomons, MD 20688
  • Gallery 564 @ 564 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Severna Park, MD 21146
  • Art League of Ocean City @ 502 94th St, Ocean City, MD 21842
  • Waverly Street Gallery @ 4600 East-West Hwy #102, Bethesda, MD 20814

Member only opportunities:

Paul’s Homewood Cafe, 919 West St, Annapolis MD

MFA members are invited to submit work for exhibition at Paul’s Homewood Cafe. Open for lunch and dinner, with a steady clientele of both new and repeat customers, Paul’s offers a warm, inviting and lively environment to showcase your work. Paul’s can hold 25 – 30 pieces, depending on size and MFA often pairs you with another artist as most members do not have enough work for a solo show. Exhibitions usually last two months and Paul’s schedules a mid-week reception, usually the first week of an exhibition. Artists receive 70% of sales.

Gallery 90, Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena MD

MFA hosts three member exhibition per year at Gallery 90 at the Hospice of the Chesapeake offices. Any MFA member may drop off up to three pieces for the exhibitions and at least one piece will hang in the exhibit. Drop off dates are timed to correspond with MFA Member Exhibits and exhibitions run for approximately three months. Hospice of the Chesapeake hosts a mid-week reception timed to occur with their board meetings. Artists retain 60% of sales.

Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin, Bethesda MD

For two years, MFA has hosted a member-only exhibition at Gallery B in Bethesda. In 2015, this exhibition will be held in November. Application for this exhibition is June – August through our on-line entry system. Please check out Call for Artists page for information. Artists retain 70% of sales.

Open juried exhibitions

The Art Gallery, University of Maryland, College Park

Each summer, MFA hosts an annual exhibit of work by MFA members and Maryland residents. Application for this exhibition is March – May through our on-line entry system. Please check out Call for Artists page for information. Artists retain 70% of sales

Annapolis Maritime Museum, 723 Second Street, Annapolis MD

MFA hosts a series of international open-juried exhibitions at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. Application for these exhibitions is through our on-line entry system. Please check out Call for Artists page for information. Artists retain 60% of sales.

As for what’s happening, there will be new opportunities to promote your art and interact with other artists on the MFA website and we are hosting new national shows, bringing art from current and innovative artist to Annapolis.