In Contrast 2025

Description

In Contrast 2025

Introducing In Contrast 2025
Contrast is a dynamic force in artistic expression, shaping perception, guiding emotion, and commanding attention. Whether through striking juxtapositions of light and dark, bold complementary hues, or the interplay of texture and form, contrast heightens impact and deepens meaning. It is a tool that artists have long used to create tension, harmony, and visual intrigue.
From the stark chiaroscuro of the Baroque to the electrifying oppositions in Fauvist color, contrast has played a defining role in art history. Op Art relies on optical contrast to create movement, while contemporary artists push boundaries by manipulating digital and material contrasts to challenge perception and provoke thought. In fashion and design, contrast is a marker of sophistication, think the enduring elegance of black and white or the rebellious clash of punkaesthetics. This exhibition explores contrast in its many forms, color, light, texture, subject, and concept. We invite artists working in all mediums to submit works that harness contrast as a powerful tool of artistic expression.
Any original 2D or 3D work that follows our exhibition guidelines will be considered. This includes works selected by the juror which will be exhibited in Maryland Federation of Art’s (MFA) first In Contrast Exhibition through our Virtual Gallery from December 15, 2025 – January 31, 2026.
Prospectus
Juror: Marcie Cooperman: Professor in the Fashion Dept. at Parsons School of Design

Marcie has a multidisciplinary career in the areas of fashion design and academia, authorship (Color: How to Use It, Pearson 2014), color theory, interior design, and fine art. She teaches Fashion Marketing, Fashion Merchandising, Social Commerce, Entrepreneurship and Color Theory classes at Parsons School of Design, and has also been a Professor of Color Theory at Pratt Institute of Design. She also teaches fashion design and fashion marketing in China at several pre-college design schools.
Marcie’s Fashion Design degree, her Stern MBA and eponymous knitwear business afford Marcie a well-rounded fashion business perspective. Marcie also owns Fresh Interiors, a bespoke interior design business, offering soup-to-nut services.
You can find Marcie Cooperman online by Googling “Color Theory expert professor”.

Exhibition Schedule:

Aug 19 Online Entry Opens for SubmissionsOct 22 Entry DeadlineNov 20 Notification @ 5 PMDec 15 Exhibition OpensJan 6 Awards Announced @ 5 PMJan 31 Last Day of the Exhibition

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 all artists internationally
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 Equity 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, social media, or a subsequent year’s prospectus. 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 In our Virtual Gallery with the last three years is not eligible for re-entry.

   
Sales

Artists will retain 80% from sales (85% for MFA Members). MFA will retain 20% commission (15% for MFA Members at the time of the sale) on and work sold through MFA.

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.