Land as Muse: Maryland at 250, a juried exhibition featuring Maryland-based artists.

The Accokeek Artists Alliance (AAA) and the Alice Ferguson Foundation (AFF) invite all Maryland-based artists to submit entries that honor Maryland’s 250th Anniversary. All works must represent the theme “Land as Muse” and relate to the state of Maryland in some manner. This show is being held in the AFF Cafritz Center, 2201 Bryan Point Road, Accokeek, MD, 20607.

This juried show is open to all Maryland artists. While entry is free, submitting artists are required to complete the online entry form, which includes a statement explaining how their work fulfills the requirements, and provide required JPEG images of their work.

Click here to apply.

Artists may submit up to five pieces for consideration. All items must be for sale. Accepted artworks must be delivered in person; shipments will not be accepted.

Awards for Best in Show ($150), Second Place ($100), and Honorable Mention ($75) will be given by show jurors and include one-year AFF memberships.

Entry deadline

All completed entry forms and required JPEG images must be received by 5 p.m. (EDT) on July 1, 2026. Artists will be notified via email by July 23, 2026, if their submitted work is accepted or not.

Framing Standards

Click here for framing standards

Intake

All artwork must be submitted in person on Saturday, September 12, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Cafritz Center, 2201 Bryan Point Road, Accokeek, MD, 20607.

Art Retrieval

Unsold artwork must be retrieved on Sunday, September 27, between noon and 3 pm.

Show Dates

The exhibition will be held over two weekends on September 18-20 and 25-26. There will be a ticketed opening reception on September 18, which exhibiting artists are encouraged to attend without paying entry, from 7:15-9 p.m. at the Cafritz Center.

Silent Auction

Artists are encouraged to donate artwork to the silent auction that will take place during the show to benefit AFF educational programs.

Other Important Information

Accepted artists are also requested to sign up to docent the show for three hours during its operating times.

A 25 percent commission will be collected on all show sales, except plein air event sales, which will be conducted without commission.

Buyers will be able to purchase artworks both online and on site. Artists will be provided with a link that they can post on their websites or social media. All artwork will stay onsite for the duration of the show.

Call for Plein Air Artists

In conjunction with this exhibition, AAA is seeking artists from all locations to compete in a plein air event with a wet hanging on Saturday, September 19. On-site painting will take place at the scenic AFF grounds from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Awards and monetary prize for First ($100), Second ($75) and Third ($50) place will be selected by show jurors and will include one-year memberships in AFF.

Artists who participate will be responsible for framing their work for a wet hanging that will take place in the Cafritz Center breezeway from 1-9 pm, and paintings that have not sold will be available for retrieval on Sunday, September 19, from 12 to 5 p.m.

Artists will be responsible for labeling their paintings with appropriate contact information and prices and for transacting any sales. No commissions will be charged on these sales.

To register for the plein air event, click here.