Digital Explorations

About the Open Call

Computer software and technology have forever expanded the ways artists capture and produce their work. Artists can weave together scenes in photoshop, produce paintings through a screen, create videos, animations, and projections that transport us to new worlds, and sculpt with a 3D printer. Maryland Federation of Art (MFA) invites all artists residing in any of the states or territories of the US, Canada, or Mexico to enter our 4th annual exhibition dedicated to digitally-produced art. Any original 2D or 3D image based work created and/or produced through digital software and following exhibition guidelines will be considered. This includes, but is not limited to digitally produced photography, digital painting, illustration, graphic design, digital video and projection. Works selected will be exhibited in MFA’s Circle Gallery from January 28 – February 28, 2026. Exhibition co-chairs: Emil Petruncio and Erica Krieger. Juror: Andy Holtin, Professor of Extended Media at American University. Andy Holtin received his MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University’s Sculpture and Extended Media program. His work uses technological systems to create performative objects and interactive installations, incorporating an exploratory range of materials and processes. Holtin currently works as half of the collaborative duo CausalityLabs, pursuing projects that explore mechanism as a metaphor for human experience and perception. His work has been exhibited internationally and nationally at museums, galleries, and universities. Holtin teaches all levels of Sculpture, addressing traditional media as well as installation formats, kinetic and interactive systems, and digital audio and video. Holtin’s current work and research focuses on the exploration of cognitive processes through the development of and interaction with performative objects in a form of sculptural theater. Using systems ranging from simple machines to interactive robotics, his works orchestrate events that ask us to scrutinize cause and effect and our assumptions about the objects and materials of our culture. He has particular interests in the history of the sciences and linguistics. 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 amani@mdfedart.org and info@mdfedart.org. Contact Circle Gallery if you do not receive notice by 6 PM on the day of notification. The exhibition schedule includes: Online Entry Opens for Submissions on Sept 23; Entry Deadline on Nov 26; Notification on Dec 17 @ 5 PM; Accepted and Shipped Work Must Arrive at MFA Circle Gallery Jan 23 – 25; Exhibition Opens Jan 28; Virtual Awards Ceremony Feb 1 @ 4 PM; Last Day of Exhibition Feb 28; In-Person Reception at MFA Circle Gallery from 4 – 6 PM on Feb 28; Pick Up Hand-Delivered Work Mar 1 – 2; Shipped Work Will Be Sent Mar 8. Should Circle Gallery be closed for reasons beyond our control, MFA reserves the right to move a planned physical exhibit to our online gallery.

What is Offered

Awards designated by the juror total $1,000. 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.

Requirements

Open to all artists residing in any of the states or territories of the US, Canada, or Mexico. Entries must be original, 2D or 3D image-based work created and/or produced through digital software and follow exhibition guidelines. A maximum of 6 original works created within the past 3 years may be entered. Work previously exhibited at MFA Circle Gallery is not eligible for re-entry. Maximum size of work, including edges of artwork or frame, cannot exceed 72″ in any direction. Artists may be asked to assist with the installation of oversized work. Work must be for sale, and may be set to Price on Request (POR).

How to Apply

The opportunity required online entry for submissions, which opened on September 23. A downloadable prospectus with full guidelines was available for applicants. The deadline to enter was November 26, 2025.