Banner detail: Fluid, embroidery floss, yarn and metallic acrylic on canvas, TL Barwick for MFA’s Fiber Options 2024

Notification will be made on October 1, 2026

Deadline to Enter was August 26, 2026

Will be on display in MFA’s Circle Gallery from October 28 – November 21, 2026

Introducing Fiber Options

Textile arts are a method of telling stories of war, politics, religious and mythical tales, and other folklore. From ancient Chinese garments and medieval European tapestries to Indigenous American weavings, nearly every culture has embraced techniques like embroidery, sewing, appliqué, quilting, and weaving to pass down narratives and traditions. Technology and techniques continue to evolve. To combat staggering amounts of textile waste, artists can recycle and repurpose fabric into sustainable masterpieces. Think about the intersections of function, purpose, and beauty and how you can use fibers to create artwork.

MFA seeks creative work using natural or synthetic textiles and/or fabric as a medium for artistic expression. Mixed media work incorporating textiles or textile techniques such as weaving or embroidery are also encouraged. Work that is simply a depiction (i.e. paintings, photos, prints) of fiber art will not be accepted.

Maryland Federation of Art (MFA) invites all artists residing in any of the states or territories of the US, Canada, or Mexico to enter our biennial Fiber Options exhibition. All original 2D or 3D work incorporating the use of textiles and following exhibition guidelines will be considered. MFA exhibitions are blind juried by professional and credentialed art experts. Works selected by the juror will be exhibited in MFA’s Circle Gallery from October 28 – November 21, 2026. Exhibition Chair: Angela Petruncio.

Click this icon to view and print the downloadable prospectus.

Juror: Sydney Abady, Artist and Arts Educator

Syd Abady is an artist and educator who explores the politics and personalities of homes through a textiles-based practice. Her art incorporates architectural imagery, found objects, and fiber techniques to question issues of public and private spaces. She received her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in Textiles and Nature, Culture, Sustainability Studies with an emphasis on Urban Studies. She is the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship in Chile and has exhibited at El Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), the Bronx Museum of Art, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA LA).

Juror’s Statement

To be published with the awards on October 29.

Awards

Awards designated by the juror total $1,000.

Information for Accepted Artists

Exhibition Schedule

Exhibition Schedule:

  • Jun 30 Online Entry Opens for Submissions
  • Aug 26 Entry Deadline
  • Oct 1 Notification @ 5 PM
  • Oct 21 – 25 Accepted and Shipped Work Must Arrive at MFA Circle Gallery 11 AM – 4 PM
  • Oct 28 Exhibition Opens
  • Oct 28 Virtual Awards Ceremony @ 5:30 PM
  • Nov 21  Last Day of Exhibition; In-Person Reception at MFA Circle Gallery 4 – 6 PM
  • Nov 22 – 23 Pick Up Hand-Delivered Work 11 AM – 4 PM
  • Nov 30 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

  • Work may not be removed from the exhibition early for any reason. Artists may pick up their work on the specified dates, or at 6 PM after the Closing Reception.
  • 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 receive notification by email. Accepted artists will also be posted on MFA’s website. 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. Please set your email account to recognize eleanor@mdfedart.org and info@mdfedart.org. Contact Circle Gallery if you do not receive notice by 6 PM on the day of notification.