America at 250 2026

Description

America at 250

Introducing America at 250

For two and a half centuries, the United States has been shaped by a dynamic tapestry of innovation, resilience, and cultural exchange. America at 250 invites artists to honor this rich legacy by exploring the nation’s diverse narratives, pivotal moments, and enduring spirit. This exhibition seeks works that capture the essence of American history and identity, encouraging creative interpretations that pay tribute to 250 years of progress, struggle, and triumph.We are looking for artists who are eager to break away from conventional depictions of historical motifs and create bold, evocative pieces that highlight the multifaceted story of the United States. Whether through abstracted imagery, mixed media installations, contemporary twists on national symbols, or inventive use of color and form, we invite you to celebrate the legacy of America’s past while illuminating the possibilities for its future. Let your work pay homage to the founding ideals, cultural evolutions, and personal experiences that collectively weave into the nation’s narrative.MFA exhibitions are blindly juried by professional and credentialed art experts. Maryland Federation of Art (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 June 25 – July 25. Exhibition Chair: Patrice Drago.

Juror: Lisa Lipinski, Art Historian

Lisa Lipinski is art historian and specialist in the fields of modern and contemporary art. She teaches courses in the history and theory of photography, 19th and 20th-century art in Latin America, the United States, and Europe, and Art Historiography. She has taught seminars on the history of exhibitions, the art of Marcel Duchamp and the Harlem Renaissance. Her education research is focused on pedagogy and assessment in higher education, and developing students’ skills in research and writing.She has worked in major art museums: the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Phillips Collection and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. She provides regular guest lectures on art and diplomacy for the Foreign Service Institute, U.S. Department of State. Dr. Lipinski is also a licensed D.C. tour guide and a member of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides, Washington, D.C. She is currently working on a book titled: Made in America: American Art and American Identity at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

Prospectus
 

Exhibition Schedule:

Feb 24 Online Entry Opens for SubmissionsApr 29 Entry DeadlineMay 28 Notification @ 5 PMJun 17 – 21 Accepted and Shipped Work Must Arrive at MFA Circle Gallery from 12 – 4 PMJun 25 Exhibition OpensJun 28 Virtual Awards Ceremony from 5:30 – 6:30 PM via ZoomJuly 25 Last Day of the Exhibition and Closing Reception at MFA Circle Gallery from 4 – 6 PMJuly 26 – 27 Pick-up Hand-Delivered Work from 11 AM – 4 PMJuly 30 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.

User Entry Process Tutorial

Watch the video below for a tutorial on how to upload your entries.

How to Upload

Terms of Entry

   
Artist Conditions

Entry is open to artists residing in the 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.

    
Entry Requirements

All work must be uploaded through artcall.org. File size may be no more than 10 MB.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.
To enter online, you will need an artcall.org account that includes an email address and a password. There is no charge to create an artcall.org account.Non-member entrants who have a discrepancy between the entry fee paid and their membership status must pay the difference before thedisplay date or their work will not be shown to the juror.

    
Work

Images for the juror must correspond with the actual 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.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.).

   
Sales

Artists will retain 70% from sales (75% for MFA Members). MFA will retain 30% commission on any work sold through MFA (25% for MFA Members at the time of the sale).

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

FAQ

What is a submission?

One submission or application on artcall.org is the equivalent of one entry on MFA’s old entry system, or one piece submitted for jurying. Artcall.org uses the terms submission and application interchangeably.

How do I enter a video submission?

When submitting a video, you must put the link to the video in the Linked Web Resource field, and you must upload a screenshot of the video as an attachment.

Can I edit my submissions after I've submitted them? 

Artcall.org requires you to select the number of submissions / applications you want to enter and to pay before entering in your image and image details. You can edit your submission details along with images you've attached up until the submission period is over. Once the submission period has ended, you cannot edit their entries in any form.

Can I add more submissions after I've paid?

You must submit a separate submission / application for each piece of artwork you wish to be shown to the juror.  You have the option to add a second or third image of the same work to your submission / application as a detail photograph This is not required.

Have the entry fees changed at all?The fees have changed but not drastically, 1 or 2 entries are $30. Up to 4 additional entries are $4.50 each. Entry fees are non-refundable.
Who is this exhibition open to?

We invite all artists residing in any of the states or territories of the US, Canada, or Mexico to enter this exhibition.