Reflections can appear in many different forms – they can be both literal or metaphorical. Reflections found in shop windows, still ponds, or on faces in mirrors can surprise and delight. The physical nature of light reflects changes in appearances and reveals unexpected sensations. Reflections can also be internal; emotional, cerebral, or spiritual, bringing back memories or causing new ways of thinking that could change the world or just stay personal. Maryland Federation of Art (MFA) asked artists to show us what reflecting means to them. All original 2D or 3D artwork in any media is eligible for this show. Works selected by the juror will be on display in MFA’s Circle Gallery, from March 26 – April 26, 2025. Joey P. Mánlapaz, is an accomplished contemporary realist painter recognized for her multifaceted roles as painter, educator, curator, and juror of art exhibitions, and advocate for the elderly through art. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from George Washington University and is widely acclaimed for her depiction of the ever-changing landscape of Washington, DC, where she resides and holds a studio. The nation’s capital, by far the largest collector of her work, owns 43 of her paintings and prints. In the artist’s realistic portrayal of the urban landscape, Mánlapaz aims to bridge the intersection of Richard Estes’ objective photorealism and Edward Hopper’s profound psychological sensibility. The atmosphere inhabiting her paintings carries a distinct infusion of Alfred Hitchcock’s suspenseful mystery, evident in the surreal air, saturated color, and contrasting interplay of light and shadow. Mánlapaz is a recipient of numerous commissions, grants, and fellowships, including the prestigious 2003 National Book Festival commission from the U.S. Library of Congress and First Lady Laura Bush. Her paintings are showcased in galleries and museums in the U.S. and abroad. Notably, her papers, correspondence, and sketchbooks are housed in the U.S. Library of Congress Asian American and Pacific Islander Division. A replica of one of her paintings is permanently installed in the Bethesda Metro Tunnel in Maryland. She frequently serves as juror and curator of local and regional art competitions and exhibitions. “Reflecting” is a theme that can often prove elusive in the realm of art. In reviewing the 406 entries for this exhibition, I was deeply impressed by the artists’ diverse and inventive interpretations of the subject. Selecting the final 65 pieces was a challenging yet rewarding experience, one that expanded my own appreciation of the theme. My primary objective in jurying this exhibition was to focus on the artist’s technical skills and the mastery of their medium. What narrative is the artist sharing, and does their point of view come through successfully? I examined works in various media—paintings, prints, photographs, collage, and sculpture—and considered the artist’s approach to the compositional challenges within their piece. What choices did they make regarding movement, message, the use of color versus monochrome, or abstraction versus realism? These are the kinds of decisions that each have to make that culminate in a powerful, well-executed work of art. I would like to congratulate the artists whose works were selected for this exhibition. Through your creative efforts, you achieved excellence in manifesting your own unique inspiration and vision.
Terms of Entry 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Honorable Mentions 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. 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.
Introducing Reflecting
Juror: Joey P. Mánlapaz: Contemporary Realist Painter and Educator
Juror Statement
Liability
Awards
Entry Requirements
Entry Fee
Work
Sales
Exhibition Schedule:
March, mixed media, Chris Rapa from Reflecting 2025