Banner detail: Her Seasons, mixed media collage, acrylic paint, and ink on a book cover, Erin Frisby for MFA’s Small Wonders 2026

Will be on display in MFA’s Circle Gallery from November 25 – December 22, 2026

Notification was made on October 29, 2026

Virtual Awards Ceremony will be November 30, 2026 at 5:30 EST via Zoom

View Notification Gallery

Introducing Small Wonders

Life is full of little things that can make a big impact. The little details come together to form a bigger picture, or in this case, an exhibition of small but wonderful works. This show is for artists who dream big but work small. Work is limited to under 11 inches in all directions, but there’s no limit on creativity or media.

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 22nd annual Small Wonders exhibition. All original 2D or 3D work under 11 inches in all directions (including the frame and display!) and following exhibition guidelines will be considered. MFA exhibitions are blind juried by professional and credentialed art experts. Works selected by the juror will be exhibited in MFA’s Circle Gallery from November 25 – December 22, 2026.

Click this icon to view and print the downloadable prospectus.

Juror: Abby Daggett, Gallery Director and Marketing Director at Maine Art Hill

Abby Daggett is the Gallery Director and Marketing Director at Maine Art Hill, one of New England’s premier fine art galleries representing more than 40 contemporary painters and sculptors. Over the past eight years, she has played an integral role in the gallery’s growth, overseeing marketing strategy, exhibitions, artist promotion, and collector engagement while helping connect artists with audiences from around the world.

Abby’s background spans both the commercial gallery and museum sectors. Prior to joining Maine Art Hill, she worked in galleries and museums in Boston and held positions abroad, including an internship at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice and roles supporting international study abroad programs in Italy and Ireland.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Art History from Northeastern University and a Master’s degree in Art Management from the Istituto Europeo di Design in Florence and Rome, Italy. Having lived and studied throughout Europe, Abby brings an international perspective to her appreciation of contemporary art while maintaining a deep connection to Maine’s artistic community.

As a juror, Abby values technical excellence, originality, and authentic artistic voice. She is honored to serve as a guest juror for the Maryland Federation of Art.

Juror’s Statement

To be published with the awards on December 1 at 5 PM.

Awards

Awards designated by the juror total $1,000.

Information for Accepted Artists

Exhibition Schedule

Exhibition Schedule:

  • July 28 Online Entry Opens for Submissions
  • Sep 30 Entry Deadline
  • Oct 29 Notification @ 5 PM
  • Nov 18 – 22 Accepted and Shipped Work Must Arrive at MFA Circle Gallery from 12 – 4 PM
  • Nov 25 Exhibition Opens
  • Nov 30 Virtual Awards Ceremony from 5:30 – 6:30 PM via Zoom
  • Dec 3 Opening Reception 5 – 8 PM at MFA Circle Gallery
  • Dec 10 and 17 Additional Midnight Madness Receptions at MFA Circle Gallery and Maryland Ave from 5 – 8 PM
  • Dec 22 Last Day of Exhibition
  • Dec 22 – 23 Pick-up Hand-Delivered Work from 11 AM – 4 PM
  • Dec 30 Shipped Work Will Be Sent

NOTE: Should Circle Gallery be closed for reasons beyond our control, MFA reserves the right to move a planned physical exhibit to our online gallery.

Delivery and Shipping

Delivery

  • All work delivered to the gallery must have the following information affixed to the non-viewing side of the artwork:
    • Artist Name
    • Address, phone number, and email
    • Title of the work, medium, and price. Be specific with medium descriptions (e.g., oil on hardboard or canvas, not oil; chromogenic print or archival inkjet print, not photography or digital print; oil pastel on paper, not pastel; etc.)
  • Work must arrive on scheduled dates.
  • Paintings must be dry.
  • Measure to ensure work meets size limitations before delivery, include outer edges of frames. Work not in compliance will not be exhibited. No exceptions.
  • All shipped work must include a bar-coded shipping label. Do not send by United States Postal Service (USPS). We prefer UPS but accept FedEx. No shipping peanuts allowed.
  • Please affix packing/repacking instructions to OUTSIDE of the shipping box.
  • Tips on shipping can be viewed on the RedDotBlog

Pickup and Storage

Pickup and Storage

  • Work may not be removed from the exhibition early for any reason. Artists may pick up their work on the specified dates, or at 6 PM after the Closing Reception.
  • Unless previous arrangements have been made, work placed in storage after announced pickup dates will be subject to a fine of $10 per piece, per week. Work left in storage longer than two (2) weeks shall become MFA property and may be disposed of, or used for fundraising purposes. There are no exceptions.

Liability

Liability

  • All work is blind juried. Artists’ name and identifying information is hidden from the juror. Watermarks are discouraged to ensure blind jurying.
  • All work will be handled with all possible care, but pieces submitted for exhibition are at the artist’s risk. In the event of damage or theft, the MFA will not be held liable. If insurance is desired, the artist must carry it.
  • Should Circle Gallery or any other exhibition space be closed for reasons beyond our control, MFA reserves the right to move a planned physical exhibit to our online gallery.

Sales

Sales

  • All work entered into any exhibition must be for sale unless prior agreements are made, and marked either with a price or POR for Price On Request.
  • 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.
  • The sale of artwork is taxable and all sales tax processing will be handled by MFA.
  • MFA processes all sales, no exceptions. Payment from sold work will be mailed to the artist 30 days after the close of the exhibition.
  • Sold artwork requiring shipment will be handled by MFA with costs collected from the buyer. Buyers will be asked if the work may be retained until the exhibit ends. If the buyer disagrees, the Gallery will let the work go, and the artist will be informed.
  • MFA asks that artists donate 20% from any sale made through a direct referral from MFA within three months. All donations are used to help defray operating costs of the Maryland Federation of Art and are tax-deductible by the artists to the full extent of the law.

Notification

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 eleanor@mdfedart.org and info@mdfedart.org. Contact Circle Gallery if you do not receive notice by 6 PM on the day of notification.