Opening for Entry on April 7

Deadline to Enter is June 3, 2026

Introducing The Power of Color

Color is a fundamental element of artistic expression that transcends language and culture. The psychology of color empowers artists to convey emotion, energy, and meaning. Artists use this invaluable tool to create an atmosphere, direct the viewer’s eye, and make a lasting impact. The Power of Color is an open call for artists who aren’t afraid to let color do the heavy lifting. Show us work where color isn’t just present, it’s the point.

Iconic colors in art history are imprinted in our memory such as Titian Red, Van Dyck Brown, and International Klein Blue. In science and fashion colors such as Perkin Mauve or Barbie Pink come to mind. The Impressionists aimed to capture the fleeting effects of light and color, The Fauves were known for their bold, eye-popping color choices, whereas The Great Colorists highlighted how colorcan convey a sense of motion, express inner feeling, and take the viewer into new imaginative realms. Contemporary artists experiment with color combinations, disrupting traditional color harmonies to elicit thought and emotion. Sculptors explore how color can alter spaces and physical appearance. The digital age has opened up opportunities for artists to explore, manipulate, and reshape the role ofcolor in art.

Maryland Federation of Art (MFA) exhibitions are blind juried by professional and credentialed art experts. MFA invites all artists residing in any of the states or territories of the US, Canada, or Mexico to enter. Any original 2D and 3D artwork in any media will be considered. Works selected by the juror will be exhibited in Circle Gallery from July 29 – August 22, 2026.

Click this icon to view and print the downloadable prospectus.

Juror: Paul Sattler, Artist and Professor of Color Theory at Skidmore College

Paul Sattler is an artist, specializing in imaginative figurative painting. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he lives and works in Saratoga Springs, New York and Pownal, Vermont.  Sattler received his BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and an MFA from Indiana University, Bloomington.  In 2004, he was awarded the Wallace Truman Painting Prize from the National Academy of Design, New York and in 2006 became a Solomon R. Guggenheim Fellow. In 2014 Sattler was awarded the inaugural Residency at the Studio Art Centers International in Florence, Italy.  Currently represented by Momentum Gallery in Asheville, North Carolina and Alpha Gallery in Boston, he has also had solo exhibitions at Gerald Peters Gallery in New York and a mid-career survey at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York.  Sattler’s work has been written about and reviewed in the ArtNews, The New York Times, Art New England, the Art Collector, Hyperallergic, Numero Cinq, the Boston Globe among others. A former professor of art at Boston University, Sattler has taught painting, drawing and color theory at Skidmore College(Saratoga Springs, NY) where he has taught since 1998.  He lives and works in Saratoga Springs, New York and Pownal, Vermont.

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 Equality 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, or social media. Images will include attribution wherever possible.
  • Work cannot be withdrawn before the end of the event.

Liability

  •  All work is blind juried. Artists’ name and identifying information is hidden from the juror. Watermarks are discouraged to ensure blind jurying.
  • All work will be handled with all possible care, but pieces submitted for exhibition are at the artist’s risk. In the event of damage or theft, the MFA will not be held liable. If insurance is desired, the artist must carry it.

Awards

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

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 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, the artist will be expected to deliver the file to MFA on a thumbdrive.
  • 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 at MFA Circle Gallery is not eligible for re-entry.
  • Maximum size of work, including edges of artwork or frame, cannot exceed 72” in any direction. Artists may be asked to assist with the installation of oversized work (greater than 60” or over 40 lbs).

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.

Sales

  • 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.
  • Work must be for sale. Work may be set to Price on Request (POR).

Exhibition Schedule:

  • Apr 7 Online Entry Opens for Submissions
  • Jun 3 Entry Deadline
  • Jul 2 Notification @ 5 PM
  • Jul 22 – 26 Accepted and Shipped Work Must Arrive at MFA Circle Gallery from 12 – 4 PM
  • Jul 29 Exhibition Opens
  • Aug 2 Virtual Awards Ceremony from 4 – 5 PM via Zoom
  • Aug 22 Last Day of the Exhibition and Closing Reception at MFA Circle Gallery from 4 – 6 PM
  • Aug 23 – 24 Pick-up Hand-Delivered Work from 11 AM – 4 PM
  • Aug 27 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.

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