On Display November 29 – December 23, 2023

Virtual Awards Ceremony December 3 from 4 – 5 PM via Zoom

Reception will be December 14, 2023 from 6 – 8 PM

View Sales Gallery       Join the Virtual Awards Ceremony via Zoom

Introducing Small Wonders 

Life is full of little things that can make a big impact. The little details come together to form a bigger picture, or in this case, an exhibition of small but wonderful works. This show is for artists who dream big but work small. Work is limited to under 11 inches in all directions, but there’s no limit on creativity or media. Maryland Federation of Art (MFA) invited all artists residing in any of the states or territories of the US, Canada, or Mexico to enter our 21st annual Small Wonders exhibition. All original 2D or 3D work under 11 inches in all directions (including the frame and display!) and following exhibition guidelines was considered. Works selected by the juror will be exhibited in MFA’s Circle Gallery from November 29 – December 23, 2023.

Click this icon to view and print the downloadable prospectus.

Juror: Lillian Bayley Hoover, Artist and Lecturer at Towson University

Lillian Bayley Hoover is an artist and lecturer at Towson University. She earned her BFA from the University of North Carolina, Asheville and her MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Recent solo exhibitions include Presence in Absence at Goya Contemporary, and a solo exhibition is scheduled for this fall at MoCA Arlington. Her work has appeared in numerous group exhibitions. Hoover has received many honors, including a Pollock-Krasner grant in 2020, three Individual Artist Awards from the Maryland State Arts Council, and the Trawick Prize. Her studio is located in Baltimore, MD. See her work and learn more at lillianhoover.com.

Juror’s Statement

*coming soon.

Awards

*coming soon.

Information for Accepted Artists

Exhibition Schedule

Exhibition Schedule:

  • Jul 25 Online Entry Opens for Submissions
  • Sept 20 Entry Deadline
  • Oct 19 Notification @ 5 PM
  • Nov 17 – 22, 25 – 26 Accepted and Shipped Work Must Arrive at MFA Circle Gallery
  • Nov 29 Exhibition Opens
  • Dec 3 Virtual Awards Ceremony from 4 – 5 PM via Zoom
  • Dec 14 Reception at MFA Circle Gallery from 6 – 8 PM
  • Dec 23 Last Day of the Exhibition
  • Dec 27 – 30 Pick-up Hand-Delivered Work from 12 – 4 PM
  • Jan 5 Shipped Work Will Be Sent

NOTE: Should Circle Gallery or any other exhibition space be closed for reasons beyond our control, MFA reserves the right to move a planned physical exhibit to our online gallery.

Delivery and Shipping

Delivery

  • All work delivered to the gallery must have the following information affixed to the non-viewing side of the artwork:
    • Artist Name
    • Address, phone number, and email
    • Title of the work, medium, and price. Be specific with medium descriptions (e.g., oil on hardboard or canvas, not oil; chromogenic print or archival inkjet print, not photography or digital print; oil pastel on paper, not pastel; etc.)
  • Work must arrive on scheduled dates.
  • Paintings must be dry.
  • Measure to ensure work meets size limitations before delivery, include outer edges of frames. Work not in compliance will not be exhibited. No exceptions.
  • All shipped work must include a bar-coded shipping label. Do not send by United States Postal Service (USPS). We prefer UPS but accept FedEx. No shipping peanuts allowed.
  • Please affix packing/repacking instructions to OUTSIDE of the shipping box.
  • Tips on shipping can be viewed on the RedDotBlog

Pickup and Storage

Pickup and Storage

  • When the exhibit ends, unless specified otherwise, you may pick up your work no earlier than 3:00 PM on the closing day of the exhibit.
  • Unless previous arrangements have been made, work placed in storage after announced pickup dates will be subject to a fine of $10 per piece, per week. Work left in storage longer than two (2) weeks shall become MFA property and may be disposed of, or used for fundraising purposes. There are no exceptions.

Liability

Liability

All work will be handled with all possible care, but pieces submitted for the exhibition are at the artist’s risk. In the event of damage or theft, MFA will not be held liable. If insurance is desired, the artist must carry it.

Sales

Sales

  • All work entered into any exhibition must be for sale unless prior agreements are made, and marked either with a price or POR for Price On Request.
  • Artists will retain 70% from sales (75% for MFA Members). MFA will retain 30% commission (25% for MFA Members) on any work sold through MFA.
  • The sale of artwork is taxable and all sales tax processing will be handled by MFA.
  • Sold artwork requiring shipment will be handled by MFA with costs collected from the buyer. Buyers will be asked if the work may be retained until the exhibit ends. If the buyer disagrees, the Gallery will let the work go, and the artist will be informed.
  • MFA asks that artists donate 20% from any sale made through a direct referral from MFA within three months. All donations are used to help defray operating costs of the Maryland Federation of Art and are tax-deductible by the artists to the full extent of the law.

Notification

All entrants will be sent notice by email. Artists who have unsubscribed from MFA emails will not receive notification. The notice to accepted artists will include specific details and could vary from the prospectus. A list of accepted artists and artwork will also be posted on MFA’s website. Please set your email account to recognize notification@mdfedart.org and info@mdfedart.org. Contact Circle Gallery if you do not receive notice by 5 PM on the day of notification.