Back

A Closer Look - Juried Art Show at Kentlands Mansion

Start
17 Jul 2026
9:00 AM
End
4 Oct 2026
5:00 PM
Location
Kentlands Mansion, 320 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Spaces left
130

Registration

Both 2D art registrant – $10.00

Registration is closed

A Closer Look - Juried Exhibition

At the Kentland Mansion

Key Dates

Show Dates: July 17- October 4
Registration: May 4 - 18
Juried Art Selections: June 1
Art Drop Off: July 13, 10:00 am - noon
Art Hanging: July 13, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Reception: July 23, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
ArtPick Up: October 5, 10:00am - noon

Theme Interpretation

What happens when you slow down and really look?

Rather than focusing on subject alone, artists are encouraged to consider how their work rewards attention—what is revealed as the viewer spends more time with it.

A Closer Look invites artists to explore observation, detail, and perspective. This theme encourages work that reveals something more through careful attention—where composition, light, texture, and point of view play a central role.

Coco by Sylvia Douglin

Sometimes that means focusing in—on a face, a surface, a fragment, or amoment.Other times it means looking beyond first impressions—discovering structure, pattern, or meaning that becomes clearer over time.

Work may draw the viewer in through intimacy, layering, or the accumulation of detail, inviting a deeper and more sustained engagement.

Show Juror and Considerations

We are excited to announce our juror is Jennifer Kahn Barlow. Jennifer is an oil painter with a sweet tooth. Her fascination with confections extends beyond indulgence -- they are her most celebrated subject matter. Her work invites viewers to appreciate the beauty and emotion that "sweets" evoke.

Jennifer's paintings are exhibited throughout the Mid-Atlantic and have been featured and have been featured in the Washingtonian and Professional Artist. Her work is held in the collections of the District of Columbia Government, Strathmore (MD), and Cookology Culinary School (VA), as well as private collections nationwide.

Jennifer serves as a juror, evaluating work based on technical merit, originality,

composition, presentation, and emotional impact. She will also consider how clearly and thoughtfully each work engages with the theme, A Closer Look. She has judged for the Potomac Valley Watercolorists, Baltimore Watercolor Society, and Falls Church Arts.

Judging philosophy: jkb-art.com/blog

Number of Artworks Allowed: MAA members are invited to submit one artwork with an optional second for consideration in this show.

Eligibility Requirements for Artwork

Media: 2D artworks: Oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, pastel, encaustic, drawing/ink, photography, hand pulled prints, textile fiber art and digital paintings. 3D works are not included in this show. All work must be consistent with the subject requirement & theme.

All artwork must be less than sixty (60) inches in any dimension and weigh less than fifty (50) pounds.

Framing & Wiring Requirements: All artwork must conform to the MAA and the City of Gaithersburg framing and hanging requirements. See framing guidance FRAMING GUIDANCE; click additional link on the framing guidance page for Gallery wrapped work. .

Artists Label: Artists must labeled the back of their artwork with the artist's name and the title of the artwork.

Venue Declarations: The city of Gaithersburg has the right to rejecdt any artwork that features or includes depictions that

may negatively imat the city,
are not suited for viewing by all age groups,
may be considered offensive, or
are rejecdted or determined to be inappropriate by the city for any other reason.

Volunteers Needed: Volunteers will be needed for a variety of tasks to support this show. While registering your artwork - please also check off one of the volunteer tasks for this show. We will need help with art check in, art hanging and putting up labels, meet the artists, and art pick up. Thank you for Volunteering.

Kentlands Mansion Art Gallery: The gallery is located at 320 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878.

Art Sales at Kentlands Mansion: tbd

MAA Membership Requirement: Annual membership (new or renewal) is required prior to registration for this show. If you are not yet a member and wish to participate in the show, please sign up for membership by clicking JOIN MAA.

Contact: Direct all questions about this show to Holly Buehler, Show Manager at HollyBuehlerArt@gmail.com or Kathy Tynan, VP Shows at kftynan@gmail.com.