--- title: In Contrast 2026-2027 description: Online juried exhibition exploring contrast in art, open worldwide (except sanctioned countries). $500 in awards; $45 entry fee. url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/917da83a-bb3c-4b03-b077-c9b0743087ac type: program status: closed createdAt: "2026-10-16" updatedAt: "2026-10-23" programType: Exhibition organization: Maryland Federation of Art organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/maryland-federation-of-art deadline: "2026-10-22" entryFee: 45 USD location: Online isOnline: true compensationRange: Awards designated by the juror total $500 --- # In Contrast 2026-2027 **Hosted by:** Maryland Federation of Art **Type:** Exhibition | **Location:** Online | **Deadline:** October 22, 2026 | **Entry fee:** $45 ## About This Program > "Contrast in its many forms: color, light, texture, subject, and concept" 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. ### Juror Sena Clara Creston, Interactive Installation Artist and Associate Professor of Media Arts at Sonoma State University. 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. ### Awards - Awards designated by the juror total $500. ### Entry Requirements - All work must be uploaded through artcall.org. File size may be no more than 10 MB. Images for the juror must correspond with the actual work. MFA does not display watermarks; artists display them at their own risk. - 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, you will be expected to deliver the file to MFA on a thumbdrive. ### Sales - MFA's Online 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 $35 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. - 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. - Work must be for sale. Work may be set to Price on Request (POR). ### Exhibition Schedule - 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 ## Eligibility & Requirements - **Geographic Eligibility:** International - **Disciplines:** All disciplines - **Note:** Entry is open to all artists from around the world, with exception of sanctioned countries. 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 in MFA's Virtual Gallery is not eligible for re-entry. MFA does not accept work created via image-generative AI and does not accept reproduced artwork. ### Additional Requirements - All work must be uploaded through artcall.org - Images for the juror must correspond with the actual work; file size may be no more than 10 MB - Up to 2 images per artwork; video submissions require a linked web resource and an uploaded still frame - A maximum of 6 original works created within the past 3 years may be entered ## Compensation & Benefits Awards designated by the juror total $500 **Includes:** Prize Awards designated by the juror total $500. ## Timeline - **Opens:** August 25, 2026 - **Deadline:** October 22, 2026 - **Program Start:** December 15, 2026 - **Program End:** February 14, 2027 ## Contact **Email:** info@mdfedart.org ## How to Apply Apply at: https://mdfedart.com/portfolio/in-contrast/