Compete MFA Call for Artists : The Power of Color
Opportunity Description
International Deadline: May 28, 2025 – Color is a fundamental element of artistic expression that transcends language and culture. It empowers artists to convey emotion, energy, and meaning. Artists use color to create an atmosphere, direct the viewer’s eye, and make a lasting impact.
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 Chanel Black 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. The digital age has opened up opportunities for artists to explore, manipulate, and reshape the role of color in generative art.
The psychology of color in art is a rich and complex field, and color is an invaluable tool for artists.
Works selected by the juror will be on display in MFA’S Circle Gallery, from July 30th – August 23rd, 2025.
ELIGIBILITY
We invite artists working in all mediums to submit works where color is a powerful tool of artistic expression. All original 2D and 3D artwork that follow the guidelines are eligible. All entries must be original and completed solely by the artist’s hand. A maximum of 3 original plein air works created within the past 3 years may be entered.
Entry is open to artists residing in the any of the states or territories of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
JUROR
John Wellington: Lecturer at The New York Academy of Art, Teacher of Color Theory, Former Colorist for Marvel Comics.
John Wellington received his BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and MFA from The New York Academy of Art. From 1985 through 1993 John worked as a colorist for Marvel Comics painting a number of monthly comics and graphic novels such as the Moebius/Stan Lee “Silver Surfer.” For three decades John has taught Old Master Painting techniques, traditional drawing, and composition at the MFA and BFA level. Currently, John teaches at The New York Academy of Art, The School of Visual Arts, his private atelier, and gives painting demonstrations on YouTube through Jerry’s Artarama. John’s paintings have been in numerous galleries, exhibitions and art fairs in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, and Paris… see more
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
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SALES
Work must be for sale. Artists will retain 70% from sales (75% for MFA Members). MFA will retain 30% commission (25% for MFA Members at the time of the sale) on any
DATES
- May 28 Entry Deadline
- Jun 26 Notification @ 5 PM
- Jul 23 – Jul 27 Accepted and Shipped Work Must Arrive at MFA Circle Gallery 11 AM – 4 PM
- Jul 30 Exhibition Opens
- Aug 3 Virtual Awards Ceremony from 4 – 5 PM via Zoom
- Aug 23 Last Day of the Exhibition; In-Person Reception at MFA Circle Gallery 4 – 6 PM
- Aug 24 – 25 Pick Up Hand-Delivered Work 11 AM – 4 PM
- Aug 28 Shipped Work Will Be Sent
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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