Landscapes of the Americas

Now on Display August 26 – September 26, 2026

Closing Reception on September 26 from 4 – 6 PM at Circle Gallery

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Introducing Landscapes of the Americas

From the oceans surrounding it to the mountains dividing it, the Americas are home to some of the world’s most powerful and striking landscapes. From the Canadian glaciers to the Grand Canyon, to the beaches of Brazil, to the moai in Chile, all have striking natural and man-made features that inspire artists. Whether urban, rural, or suburban, whether it’s a landscape you see each morning, or your dream travel destination, show us the landscapes of the Americas through your artwork.

Maryland Federation of Art (MFA) invites all artists residing in any of the states or territories of the US, Canada, or Mexico to enter. All original 2D and 3D work following exhibition guidelines and depicting a landscape from the Americas (North America, Hawaii, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America) are eligible for entry. 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 August 26 – September 26, 2026. Exhibition Chair: David Diaz

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Juror: Jacalyn Beam, Plein Air Painter

Jacalyn Beam was born and lives in the Brandywine Valley. The Wyeths, Sorolla, Sargent, Garber, Schofield, and Thayer are a few of her favorite artists. She is a Signature member of the American Impressionist Society, Juried Artist of the California Art Club and Washington Society of Landscape Painters, and member of Oil Painters of America.

Jacalyn is included in books, magazines, and other documents including 100 Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters, Brandywine Valley Reflections,Carmel Big Sur and Carmel Painters, HUNT Magazine, Art Collector Magazine, Delaware Today, Modern Impressionist, Chester County Times and Western Art Collector to name a few.

Jacalyn holds a BS, MEd, AGS, and EdD and currently serves at the discretion of the Governor on the Delaware Arts Council – the advisory body to the DE Division of the Arts which centers on matters of arts policy, funding and other art issues. She was selected to serve on the National Coalition of the Arts to write and evaluate standards and served as a specialist and writer for the DE Committee for Performing Arts Education. Jacalyn received the Presidential Award – Wilmington University’s most prestigious award given each year to one student from among all disciplines who best exhibits outstanding leadership, respect for others, and the University’s mission and values. She teaches privately and for organizations ie the Rehoboth Art League.

Juror’s Statement

It was an honor and pleasure to judge the “Landscapes of the Americas”.  Typically when judging art events, I use an art rubric that includes composition, execution, color, impact, and artist fidelity to the rules set forth by the sponsoring organization. For “Landscape of the America’s” I was tasked with judging using a different rubric.

The rubric for this show centered on three criteria linked to the Aesthetic Perspectives framework – Communal Meaning, Openness, and Stickiness. For example, work that moved beyond individual perspective and experience earned points for “communal meaning”. When considering “openness”,  I looked for work that possibly held a variety of meanings – perhaps similar but maybe contradicting.  In other words, I looked at the art and imagined the many views diverse onlookers might hold. “Stickiness” is just what it says – does the work stick and achieve sustained resonance with the viewer in some way. Does the viewer come back over and over and still find meaning and/or pleasure in the piece? Indeed, there were many entries that spurred me to revisit and enjoy over and over again.

Using these three categories as the basis for judging, I found myself in uncharted territory. Yet, territory which made sense and produced what I believe are the most reliable and valid outcomes. Consider, I wasn’t limited by prior experiences. This fresh rubric, for me, offered a new way of thinking, considering, seeing, and evaluating. The artwork in this show is diverse, not only in execution but also media. I found myself reading to learn if the image in front of me was a painting, drawing, photograph, or other because what I saw was being viewed through the lenses of Communal Meaning, Openness, and Stickiness – not media type.

One similarity to past judging experiences is that I looked at the images over and over again. It was a true delight to revisit each piece, seeing it through the Aesthetic Perspectives Framework. The diversity of work in “Landscape of the America’s” truly fits it’s title, as the artwork entered into this show fits the broad spectrum of human similarities and difference across our country. When you visit the exhibition, and I sincerely hope you do, you’ll witness first-hand the talent and beauty of which I speak.

Thank you to the Maryland Federation of Art for the privilege of judging this unique show.  Thank you to all the artists who shared their insights, feelings and talents by submitting art for “Landscapes of the America’s’.  Congratulations to the artists whose work was selected for the show. The exhibition is sure to be outstanding and will elicit shared thoughts and conversations in days to come.

-Jacalyn Beam

Awards

Juror’s Choice

• Exploring Landscape in Acrylic, acrylic, Jed Smalley
• The Other Side of the Moon (New Mexico), photograph, Wil Scott
• Weathered Intracoastal Tree, pen and ink, Michael Gouker
• Dock at Sunset, watercolor, Juliya Ivanilova
• Potomac View, oil, Wendy Haimes Smith

Honorable Mention

• Under the Boardwalk at Margate NJ, watercolor, Alexandra Treadaway-Hoare
• Blackwater Creek, film photograph, Donald Kratt
• Sangre de Christo Mountains and Dunes (Colo.), photograph, Peter T West

• Awards designated by the juror total $1,000.