Now Open for Entry

Deadline to Enter is December 17, 2025

Online Entry System

Please click the button above to enter this show on ArtCall.org. You will need to create a free account to enter your work.

We are using a new entry platform, that uses different terminology than you might be used to seeing. In ArtCall:

  • You will be asked to pay for the number of artworks you’ll be uploading in advance. You can add more later.

  • The word “application” means artwork, so one application is one work of art.

  • “Attachments” means images of the artwork, you can upload up to 2 images. You do not need to pay extra for attachments.

For first time users, we recommend the following resources:

  • The video tutorial linked on the call for entry page.
  • Our blog post that walks you through the entry process step-by-step.
  • Our FAQ section.

Introducing In The City

Skylines, crosswalks, alleyways and shops; bright lights, buses, taxis and crowds. These are just a small list of elements that create the essence of an urban environment. Some aspects of city life are universal and can represent any city, anywhere, from a large metropolis to a small town. Every city as well, has unique symbols and iconic places that signify the identity of the community, such as restaurants, festivals, music halls and graffiti. We welcome all artists to submit original work that gives us the sense of your urban experience. Whether you are an urbanite or a city visitor, give us a visual story of the city. Any original 2D or 3D work that follows our exhibition guidelines will be considered. This includes, Works selected by the Juror will be exhibited in Maryland Federation of Art’s (MFA) second In the City Exhibition in our Virtual Gallery from February 16 – April 14, 2026.

 

Juror: Michael Dowley: Professor in the Studio Art department at Georgetown University

Michael Dowley lives and works in his native Northern Virginia. He has shown his art locally and nationally, including at Arlington Arts Center, Doris Mae, Art at Kings Oaks (PA), Blue Spiral (NC), Atlantic Gallery (NYC) and the Phillips Collection, Washington DC. His work has been selected for exhibition by William Bailey, Yale University, and Joan Young, Guggenheim Museum and Matthew Higgs, White Columns Art Registry. He was the recipient of a residency grant from Vermont Studio Center and from Art Week, Anina Porter, Fairfield Porter residency, Maine. He received his MFA in painting from Savannah College of Art and Design and his BA from Georgetown University. He is professor of painting and drawing at Northern Virginia Community College and a lecturer in Studio Art at Georgetown University.

Terms of Entry

  • Entry is open to artists residing in any of the states or territories of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
  • Entering this exhibition indicates understanding and agreement on the part of the artist with the conditions stated herein and with (a) MFA’s approved Statement of Equity and Diversity and (b) MFA’s General Guidelines. Work must meet exhibition guidelines to be included in the event. MFA may determine work ineligible if entry guidelines are not followed. Work delivered must correspond with the image(s) submitted to the juror.
  • Images of accepted works may be used at the sole discretion of MFA for promotional purposes including, but not limited to: the invitation, catalog, website, social media, or a subsequent year’s prospectus. Images will include attribution wherever possible.
  • Work cannot be withdrawn before the end of the event.

Liability

  • Artwork will be handled with all possible care. MFA will not be responsible or liable for loss or damage from any cause whatsoever. Insurance, if desired, must be carried by the artist.

Awards

  • Awards designated by the juror total $500.

Entry Requirements

  • All work must be uploaded through artcall.org. File size may be no more than 10 MB. Images for the juror must correspond with the actual work. MFA does not display watermarks; artists display them at their own risk.
  • For video submissions: you must put the link to the video in the Linked Web Resource field, and then upload a still frame from the video. For accepted video submissions, you will be expected to deliver the file to MFA on a thumbdrive.

Entry Fee

  • 1 or 2 entries $45 (MFA Members $30). Up to 4 additional entries $6.75 each (MFA Members $4.50). Entry fees are non-refundable.

Work

  • All entries must be original and completed solely by the artist’s hand. A maximum of 6 original works created within the past 3 years may be entered. If artwork is part of a limited edition, please state total number in the edition.
  • Work previously exhibited in MFA’s Virtual Gallery is not eligible for re-entry.
  • There is no size limit for online exhibitions.

Sales

  • MFA’s Online Sales Gallery is provided to North American artists to sell their work. Only artists in the 48 contiguous United States may set a price. MFA will reimburse up to $35 in shipping costs to those artists for online sales shipments if a receipt is provided. All other artists must enter Price on Request (POR) and purchase inquiries will be referred by MFA to the artist.
  • Artists will retain 80% from sales (85% for MFA Members). MFA will retain 20% commission (15% 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. Artists will be responsible for fulfillment of sales.
  • Work must be for sale. Work may be set to Price on Request (POR).

Exhibition Schedule

  • Oct 14 Online Entry Opens for Submissions
  • Dec 17 Entry Deadline
  • Jan 29 Notification @ 5 PM
  • Feb 16 Exhibition Opens Online
  • Mar 2 Awards Announced @5 PM
  • Apr 14 Last Day of the Exhibition
General Guidelines

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 amani@mdfedart.org and info@mdfedart.org. Contact Circle Gallery if you do not receive notice by 6 PM on the day of notification.