McLean Project for the Arts is seeking mid-Atlantic artists (DC, VA, MD, PA, NJ, DE, WV) to submit works that relate to the concept of (Not) Strictly Painting to be exhibited both in the gallery. This year’s applicants are invited to submit up to 4 jpegs of paintings or works related in some way to painting completed in the last two years and not previously exhibited at MPA. Work that combines painting with other materials or is conceptual in nature is acceptable and encouraged as well. Time based media are welcome, but must be limited to 10 minutes. Each of the submitted works must be available for exhibit if chosen by the jurors. Works must fit through an 81” x 64” doorway.
Location
McLean Project for the Arts:
Emerson and Atrium Galleries
1234 Ingleside Ave.
McLean, VA 22101
Exhibition Dates: September 10, 2026- November 17, 2026
Juror:
Michael O’Sullivan is an award-winning Washington writer, editor, critic and curator From 1993 to 2023, he covered visual art and film for The Washington Post, earning a Special Recognition Award at the 2010 Mayor’s Art Awards and the second place prize for critical writing in 2012 from the Virginia Press Association. He has organized and juried exhibitions for several Mid-Atlantic art spaces, including the Athenaeum, Studio Gallery, the Greenbelt Arts Center, Maryland Federation of Art’s Circle Gallery, the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery and the Delaware Contemporary. He has curated exhibitions at the American University Museum and Conner Contemporary.
APPLICATION Entry must be made on-line via Submittable. There is no fee for submission. Visit our website for more information: www.mpaart.org
NOTIFICATION Whether your piece has been selected by the juror or not, notification will be sent to you via email.
SALES A 30% sales commission will be retained by MPA on all sales resulting directly from the exhibit. Work will be sold at the price listed on the typed image checklist unless marked Not For Sale (NFS).
Dates:
July 19, 2026: Deadline for Submission
August 3, 2026: Acceptance Notification
August 27-29, 2026: Artwork Drop-Off
September 10, 2026: Opening Reception, 7-9pm
September 26, 2023: Artist Talk, 11am
October 21, 2026: Tea and Talk, 11am
November 17, 2026: Closing of Exhibition
November 18, 2026: Artwork Pick-Up
For more information, please contact Jen Lillis: jlillis@mpaart.org.
McLean Artfest 2026
Produced by the McLean Community Center;
in partnership with McLean Project for the Arts
Application deadline: Friday, July 31, 2026, 11:59 PM
Thank you for your interest in exhibiting at the 19th annual McLean Artfest festival, formally MPAartfest. McLean Artfest is a juried festival showcasing over 30 local & regional visual artists. This FREE community event features contemporary art, a Children’s Art Walk, gourmet food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and some of the best local musicians in the DC metro area. We welcome McLean Community Center in their expanded role as event producer of this year’s festival. MPA will continue to manage the artist exhibitor applications, jury process and artist selection, and artist relations.
Festival Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026, 10AM-4PM
Location: McLean Central Park
1468 Dolley Madison Blvd, McLean VA 22101
Park access: Dolley Madison Library Parking Lot
1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean, VA
Fees: (if accepted) $300.00
Paid to the McLean Community Center
Artists will be notified by August 14, 2026, and all accepted artists will receive an Acceptance Contract to complete and sign. Once signed, all accepted artists will receive a payment link to pay the exhibitor booth fee and complete the application process from the McLean Community Center. All exhibitor booth fees must be paid by September 1, 2026.
Accepted Artists will receive their welcome packet after their exhibitor booth fee has been processed. All accepted artists will receive one (1) 10x10 tent with one (1) 8ft table and two (2) folding chairs. Artists are to bring a floor-length tablecloth.
The festival is held rain or shine, but if weather or other conditions are extremely unfavorable, festival officials reserve the right to cancel all activities. There is no rain date for the festival.
Please note electricity and water are not available in the park. Generators are not permitted.
The Exhibitor including, but not limited to its employees, agents and/or volunteers will be responsible for its operations and every part thereof, and for all materials, tools, equipment, appliances, and property used in connection therewith whether owned or leased by the Exhibitor or owned or leased by the McLean Community Center (MCC) and the County of Fairfax. The Exhibitor assumes all risks of direct and indirect damages or injury to person or property wherever located, resulting from any action, omission, commission or operation under this agreement, or in connection in any way whatsoever. Exhibitors are solely responsible for the security of their booths. Booths must be attended at all times during the entirety of the event hours by an adult 18 years or older.
All photos taken during the event may be used for promotional purposes by MCC. By participating in this festival, the Exhibitor, their staff, volunteers, and subcontractors authorize the use of all photos obtained.
Artists retain 100 percent of all event sales at McLean Artfest.
To Enter:
1. IMAGES Artists may submit up to ten high resolution images in JPEG format. Each image should be labeled with the artist’s last name, first name and image number (example, smith.jane1.jpeg)
2. LIST OF IMAGES Include artist name, title of piece, sales price, medium, size and year completed.
3. ARTIST STATEMENT
4. CURRENT RESUME 5. WEBSITE/ SOCIAL MEDIA
NOTIFICATION: Whether you have been selected or not, notification will be sent to you via email. For further information or questions, please contact: Jen Lillis, jlillis@mpaart.org