Compete The Power of Color 2026
Opportunity Description
International Deadline: June 3, 2026 – 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.
Selected works will be displayed at MFA Circle Gallery in Annapolis, MD from July 29 – August 22, 2026.
ELIGIBILITY
MFA invites all artists to enter an exhibition that welcomes 2D and 3D abstract work. This exhibition is open to artists residing in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico. All eligible fine art entries in any media will be considered by the juror.
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.
JUROR
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.
AWARDS
Awards designated by the juror total $1,000.
ENTRY FEE
1 or 2 entries $45 (MFA Members $30). Up to 4 additional entries $6.75 each (MFA Members $4.50). Entry fees are non-refundable.
APPLY ONLINE
Visit us online for complete details.
SALES
Work must be for sale. Work may be set to Price on Request (POR). Artists will retain 70% from sales (75% for MFA Members). MFA will retain 30% commission (25% for MFA Members) on any work sold through MFA.
About:
The MFA incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 1968 and, through the hard work of a growing and enthusiastic membership, opened the Circle Gallery located at 18 State Circle, just steps away from the State House in Annapolis. The gallery is located in a restored loft space in the heart of the Annapolis Historic District and has been operating continuously since opening its doors. The MFA has also reached out beyond its doors through its Alternate Space efforts, often bringing art to unexpected places.
Maryland Federation of Art
18 State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401
t: 410 268 4566
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