Description

UMW Galleries is now accepting submissions for our upcoming juried exhibition, the 2026 Mid-Atlantic New Painting Biennial. Begun in 1997, MANP is celebrating its thirteenth biennial of contemporary painting organized by the University of Mary Washington.

Guest juror Alexis Assam, Regenia A. Perry Assistant Curator of Global Contemporary Art at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, will select the artwork and winners for multiple prizes. One artwork will be selected for the UMW Collections Purchase Award, to be added to the UMW Galleries Collection.

Rules and Terms to Apply:

Artists must be 18 years of age and older and currently reside in one of the following states: Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. 

Each artist may submit up to three entries for consideration. Entries can be any material or medium, with a physical limit of 96” in any dimension. Entries must have been completed within two years of the application deadline (no earlier than May 2024). Framed artwork should be ready for install with D-rings, picture wire, or provided cleat. Unframed work is acceptable if it is submitted with hanging instructions, special hardware, etc..

A $25 non-refundable fee must accompany the application and covers up to three entries. Submit payment and all application materials through CAFÉ no later than Friday, May 15, at 11:59pm.

Artists are responsible for round trip transportation of accepted works. Works may be hand-delivered or shipped prepaid with a return shipping label included in the package. Shipping and labeling instructions will be detailed in the acceptance email. Shipped works will be returned in the same packaging materials in which they arrive, thus shipping containers should be sturdy enough for the return trip. Hand-delivered works must be wrapped or boxed for protection.

Any questions may be directed to gallery@umw.edu.