KEEPING ART ALIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY

The Maryland Federation of Art (MFA) is a nonprofit membership organization of artists and art patrons. MFA’s mission is to provide exhibition and professional development opportunities for artists and to provide arts education and outreach opportunities for all Maryland citizens. The MFA was established in 1963 by US Navy Commander Charles Holley, Mrs. Margaret Fowler, and a group of dedicated Annapolis-area artists interested in developing professional exhibition opportunities for Maryland's creative community. As a result of their dedication, the Circle Gallery was founded in Annapolis, Maryland and continues 45 years later as the oldest operating artist gallery in Maryland.

The MFA focuses on encouraging student and emerging artists and strives to meet the developing needs of all artists, at all career stages. In addition to its member-only artist shows, the MFA also hosts solo and small group exhibitions and sponsors regional and national competitions, inviting artists from across the US to submit works for consideration. These exhibitions provide Maryland audiences and the many national and international visitors to the Annapolis-based Circle Gallery with the opportunity to view original work from every region of the country and to expand on their understanding of art.

The MFA’s community outreach over the years has included partnerships with local government agencies and nonprofits to provide at-risk youth, learning disabled adults and many others in the community with art experiences. An example of these efforts is the Critical Exposure exhibition, which presented photographs created by Baltimore City students, which highlighted the disrepair and blighted condition of their school facilities. The youth also were able to portray more clearly their abysmal learning environment to Maryland lawmakers by testifying at State budget committee hearings, held right next door to the Circle Gallery.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Joe Dickey, Johns Hopkins University, President & Chair, Executive Committee
Stephen Borko, Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Vice President & Chair, Finance Committee

Susan (Susi) Fuller, Accounting Consultant, Treasurer
Deborah Banker, Glenelg Country School, Secretary
Amelia Arria, University of Maryland
Sharon Arsenault, Artist, Member, Exhibitions Committee
Denise Bartlett, Denise Bartlett Interiors
Al Baumann, BB&T Bank
Lesley Bender, Artist, Member, Membership Committee
Candice Bigelow, Artist
Temple Blackwood, Queen Anne School
Martha Blaxall, Brookings Institution, Chair, Development Committee
David Diaz, Artist, Chair, Exhibition Committee
Jim Longenecker, T. Rowe Price
Denise Bartlett Kass McGowan, Artist
Martha (Muffy) Oatway, Artist, Co-Chair, Membership Committee
Andrea Olney-Wall, Artist, Co-Chair, Membership Committee

STAFF

Joann Vaughan, Executive Director
Tory Coale, Gallery Manager

VOLUNTEERS

Want to join the fun? Volunteering at the MFA is a great way to network with peers and creative types, learn new skills and use old ones, and meet new friends. Call (410) 268-4566 or email info@mdfedart.org to learn more about how to get involved as a volunteer.