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Introducing Paint Annapolis

Paint Annapolis is a seven-day juried plein air painting competition held June 1 – 8, 2025, that brings artists from across North America and Europe to Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. For 24 years, Paint Annapolis has been a premier outdoor painting event, bringing together artists and patrons to be part of a community where colonial architecture meets maritime heritage. Apply to be a juried artist to paint our beautiful historic town, exhibit your work in Circle Gallery, and compete for cash awards totaling $15,000.

Paint Annapolis 2025 is presented by Maryland Federation of Art (MFA), a 61-year-old non-profit organization committed to exhibiting new and innovative art created by living artists. MFA is based at Circle Gallery, 18 State Circle, across from the Maryland State House in historic downtown Annapolis.

Selection Juror: Bernard Dellario

Bernard Dellario earned a bachelor’s degree from Kings College in Wilkes-Barre, PA with an emphasis on finance and art history. He studied Art at the Art League School in Alexandria, Virginia, and attended several workshops with nationally known artists. He has been a member of the Washington Society of Landscape Painters since 2003. Fondly known as WSLP, one of the oldest active artist organizations in the Washington area, Bernard currently serves as President. He teaches painting classes through several venues, he has won national awards and exhibits throughout the Maryland Eastern Shore and Washington, DC region.

Awards Juror: Christine Lashley

Christine Lashley is a contemporary artist known for her colorful and dramatic images. From glittering pristine waterways to the glass reflections in cities, Christine is fascinated by how transparency and light can abstract a scene and transport the viewer to a new environment. Christine spent many years as a watercolor artist before moving primarily to oils in 2011.
Exhibitions of Christine’s work include curated invitationals, museum shows, and gallery shows. She is a frequent participant in juried Plein Air painting competitions. Her numerous awards include Best of Show at Plein Air Telluride, Bath County, and Plein Air Texas. Publications include the cover of Plein Air Magazine.

With a BFA from Washington University in St. Louis and prior study at the Sorbonne and Parsons in Paris; Christine continued her art education with workshops from prominent artists including Scott Christensen, Skip Lawrence, and Charles Reid. She has taught in-person workshops and classes for over 30 years and is the content creator for lashleyartclass.com, an online learning portal for instructional art videos and interactive lessons.

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

  • Cash awards total $15,000

Event Schedule

  • Jun 1 Dueling Brushes (Quick Draw)
  • Jun 3 Paint the Bay Reception
  • Jun 4 Dusk to Dawn Nocturne Painting
  • Jun 5 Art on the Avenue
  • Jun 6 Awards Ceremony
  • Jun 7 Public Reception
  • Jun 8 Muffins and Mimosas

Work

  • All entries must be original and completed solely by the artist’s hand. A maximum of 3 original plein air works created within the past 3 years may be entered.

Sales

  • Artists will retain 60% from sales made during Paint Annapolis. MFA will retain 40% commission on any work sold.

Exhibition Schedule

  • Nov 1 Online Entry Opens for Submissions
  • Jan 21 Entry Deadline
  • Feb 27 Notification @ 5 PM
  • Jun 1 – 8 Paint Annapolis 2024
  • Jun 1 – 21 Exhibition at Circle Gallery and Pop Up Gallery (86 Maryland Ave)

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

Notification

All artists will receive notification by email. Accepted artists and artwork will also be posted on MFA’s website. Artists who have unsubscribed from MFA’s emails will not receive notification.
The notice to accepted artists will include specific details and may vary from the prospectus.
Please set your email account to recognize notification@mdfedart.org and info@mdfedart.org.