The Power of Color 2026

Description

The Power of Color

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 color can 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 of color 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.

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.

Prospectus
 

Exhibition Schedule:

Apr 7 Online Entry Opens for SubmissionsJun 3 Entry DeadlineJul 2 Notification @ 5 PMJul 22 – 26 Accepted and Shipped Work Must Arrive at MFA Circle Gallery from 12 – 4 PMJul 29 Exhibition OpensAug 2 Virtual Awards Ceremony from 4 – 5 PM via ZoomAug 22 Last Day of the Exhibition and Closing Reception at MFA Circle Gallery from 4 – 6 PMAug 23 – 24 Pick-up Hand-Delivered Work from 11 AM – 4 PMAug 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.

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.