Notification will be made on December 12, 2023

The deadline to enter was November 8, 2023

Introducing Digital Directions

Computer software and technology have forever expanded the ways artists capture and produce their work. Artists can weave together scenes in photoshop, produce paintings through a screen, create videos, animations, and projections that transport us to new worlds, or even sculpt using a 3D printer. Any original 2D or 3D image based work created and/or produced through digital software and following exhibition guidelines will be considered. This includes, but is not limited to digitally produced photography, digital painting, illustration, graphic design, digital video, and non-film projection. Works selected by the Juror will be exhibited in Maryland Federation of Art’s (MFA) fourth annual Digital Directions Exhibition in Circle Gallery from January 31 – February 24, 2024. Exhibition Chair: Emil Petruncio.

Click this icon to view and print the downloadable prospectus.

Juror: Laurence Arcadias, Professor of Animation at MICA

Laurence Arcadias is a French/American animator working in the United States. She teaches at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) animation department in Baltimore and was the chair of the department for fourteen years. She is the co-lead of a “STEAM” animation/science collaboration (AstroAnimation.org) where students work directly with scientists to produce animations based on NASA astrophysics and planetary research. Arcadias is a co-founder of the French film production company Amorce films. She has directed and written several short animation films, which have been touring and have won awards at numerous international film festivals.

Juror’s Statement

*coming soon.

Awards

  • Cash awards total $1,000

*Award contributors and recipients will also be listed in the exhibition catalog.

Information for Accepted Artists

Exhibition Schedule

Exhibition Schedule:

  • Apr 19 Online Entry Opens for Submissions
  • Jun 21 Entry Deadline
  • Jul 18 Notification @ 5 PM
  • Aug 23 – 27 Accepted and Shipped Work Must Arrive at MFA Circle Gallery
  • Aug 30 Exhibition Opens
  • Sept 10 Virtual Awards Ceremony from 4 – 5 PM via Zoom
  • Sept 23 Last Day of the Exhibition; Closing Reception at MFA Circle Gallery from 4 – 6 PM
  • Sept 24 –  25 Pick-up Hand-Delivered Work from 11 AM – 4 PM
  • Sept 27 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 with the exhibition guidelines and MFA’s General Guidelines will not be exhibited. No exceptions. Work delivered must correspond with the images submitted to the juror.
  • 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 6:00 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.