Spatial 2026

Description

Spatial 2026

Introducing Spatial

Creating the right compositional balance is the challenge artists face with each work of art they create, regardless of the medium, style, or genre. The thoughtful use of negative space can be a powerful tool in shaping how we see and interpret the visual; it can provide either tension or serenity – sometimes evoking both in a single work of art. It adds meaning by showing us not only what is there, but what is not. The balance of spatial relationships between elements is a dance and can be expressed in countless ways: through stark contrast, geometrically, minimally, or using perspective to draw you to a single, central focal point. 3D artists demonstrate this dance by volume, and the space surrounding and through an object, or through activation between multiple objects.
We invite artists to show us how they use spatial language in their art to get our attention in their own unique way.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) Spatial exhibition through our Virtual Gallery from August 14 – October 14, 2026.
Juror: Mollye Bendell
Mollye Bendell is an interdisciplinary artist with a focus in immersive and electronic media.  She has received grants and residencies from Wave Farm WGXC, the Harvestworks Digital Media Arts Center and the Tides Institute and Museum of Art. Awards include the GBCA Baker Artist Award, the MSAC Independent Artist Award and the RW Deutsch Foundation Rubys Artist Grant. She is also a founding member of media arts collective strikeWare, which creates experiences grounded in our collective history, often using new technologies to emphasize the nowness of that history. Mollye’s solo work has been exhibited in venues such as the Baltimore Museum of Art, the New York Electronic Arts Festival, and Maryland Art Place. Public art commissions include Ladew Topiary Gardens and the City of Redmond, Washington. She has recently exhibited at CURRENTS New Media Festival, the BlackRock Center for the Arts and National Sawdust.Mollye is an Assistant Professor of Art in the Immersive Media Design program at University of Maryland, College Park. She holds a BA in Sculpture from the Glasgow School of Art and an MFA in Intermedia and Digital Arts from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She lives and works in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Prospectus
 

Exhibition Schedule:

Feb 17 Online Entry Opens for SubmissionsApr 22 Entry DeadlineMay 21 Notification by EmailJun 15 Exhibition OpensJul 1 Awards AnnouncedAug 13 Last Day of Exhibition

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.