In Contrast 2026

Eligibility

Eligible countries: No country restriction

Open to all artists internationally except sanctioned countries; max 6 original works from past 3 years

In Contrast 2026 Entry Deadline: Oct 22, 2026, 3:00:00 AM Eligibility: International Entry Fee: 15.00 - 22.50 Maryland In Contrast 2026 Introducing In ContrastContrast 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 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 punk aesthetics. 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. Maryland Federation of Art’s (MFA) exhibitions are blind juried by professional and credentialed art experts. Entry is open to all artists from around the world, with exception of sanctioned countries. Any original 2D or 3D work that follows our exhibition guidelines will be considered. Works selected by the juror will be exhibited in MFA's In Contrast exhibition through our Virtual Gallery from December 15, 2026 – February 14, 2027. Sena Clara Creston is an interactive installation artist whose work focuses on the impact of light, movement, and material; and reflects our relationship with the natural in an increasingly mediated world. Creston learned to see the beauty of everything growing up in a family of artists in New York City and studying Photography and Imaging at NYU. She progressed to interactive installations, receiving an MFA in Electronic Arts from RPI. Creston is an associate professor of media arts at Sonoma State University whose work has been presented internationally, including IEEE, Borealis, LoFi, TEDx, Treefort, The Wassaic Project, CICA Museum, Triton Museum of Art, Museum of Sonoma County, and Jundt Art Museum. - August 25 Online Entry Opens for Submissions - October 21 Entry Deadline @ 11:59 PM - November 19 Notification @ 5 PM - December 15 Exhibition Opens - January 7, 2027 Awards Announced @ 5 PM - February 14, 2027 Last Day of the Exhibition Watch the video below for a tutorial on how to upload your entries. - 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 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, social media, or a subsequent year’s prospectus. Images will include attribution wherever possible. - Work cannot be withdrawn before the end of the event. - 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 the display date or their work will not be shown to the juror. - 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. - MFA’s Virtual Sales Gallery is provided to North American artists to sell their work. Only artists in the 48 contiguous United States may set a price. MFA will reimburse up to $40 in shipping costs to those artists for online sales shipments if a receipt is provided. All other artists must enter Price on Request (POR) and purchase inquiries will be referred by MFA to the artist. - Work must be for sale. Work may be set to Price on Request (POR). - Artists will retain 80% from sales (85% for MFA Members). MFA will retain 20% commission (15% for MFA Members) on any work sold through MFA. The sale of artwork is taxable, and all sales tax processing will be handled by MFA. Artists will be responsible for fulfillment of sales. - MFA asks that artists donate 20% from any sale made through a direct referral from MFA within three months. All donations are used to help defray operating costs of Maryland Federation of Art and are tax-deductible by the artists to the full extent of the law. 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. How will I find out if I have been accepted? 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 [email protected] and [email protected]. Contact Circle Gallery if you do not receive notice by 6 PM on the day of notification.

What to submit

Work samples

How to apply

Submit online through an artcall.org account; upload images (max 10MB) or link video with a still frame; pay entry fee before submitting images.