Art in Abstraction 2026

International Deadline: May 13, 2026 – Abstraction shows that artists do not have to recreate the visible world exactly to say something powerful. Through color, form, gesture, scale, and composition, they can translate feeling, memory, movement, and energy into visual language. In the spirit of artists like Lee Krasner, Helen Frankenthaler, Joan Mitchell, Elaine de Kooning, Willem de Kooning, and Franz Kline, abstraction becomes more than a style. It becomes a way of expressing emotion, atmosphere, and experience that can feel just as vivid and meaningful as representation.

Selected works will be displayed in this MFA-organized exhibition at Maryland Hall’s Earl Gallery in Annapolis, MD from July 8 – August 15, 2026.

ELIGIBILITY
MFA invites all artists to enter an exhibition that welcomes 2D and 3D abstract work for Maryland Hall’s Earl Gallery.  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
With over 40 solo and 70 group shows throughout the US and Europe, Patrick Schmidt designs for both public and private spaces. His colorful geometric abstract paintings have a deep connection to the mid-20C hard-edge/op-art movements that were developed in France and South America, as well as the Pattern & Decoration Movement from the mid-1970s-1980s in the United States. He see’s pattern functioning as an extension of popular culture which has a connection to economic, social, and ethnic identifiers. From cold war patterning of propaganda to the meditative patterning of an Islamic Mosque…. see more

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.