Essence of Summer Art Show

at Windridge Vineyards  

Key dates

• Show Dates:  June 25- October 5, 2025
• Registration: May 17  - May 31    
• Juried Art Selection:  June 13
• Artwork Drop Off: Monday June 23, 10am - noon 
• Meet the Artists: August 14,  5:00 - 8:00pm Tasting Room 
• Art Pick Up: October 6, 10am - noon

Everyone Loves a Sail by Margaret Ingram 

Theme for Submissions: Essence of Summer --  Summer is a season that brings to mind images of leisurely activities, relaxation, and the pursuit of joy. Artists have always been captivated by the spirit of summer.  

MAA artist are asked to present works that depict scenes or abstraction that evoke the essence of summer -- sense of freedom, enjoyment, and the simple pleasures of life. 

• Number of Artworks Allowed:  MAA Members are invited to submit for consideration up to 2 artworks that they feel embody the theme Essence of Summer.. Artists may submit work in any of the following categories: 
• • Natural Landscapes, Maritime, and Seascapes
  • Cityscapes, Townscapes, Urbanscapes 
  • Still Life 
  • Abstract Art 
  • Portraiture - People and Animals 

• Eligible Media:  2D works in oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, pastel, encaustic, hand-pulled prints, drawing/ink mediums, textile and photography.  3D works are not included in this show.  

• Cost: There is no cost to submit your work to for consideration. If your artwork is selected by the curators, a fee of $10 will be required at the time of art drop off. 

• Process:  Submitted artwork will be selected by the vineyard owners.  Approximately 18 - 25 selected works will be exhibited for a three month period.  All artwork must be for sale. Windridge will notify artists when work is sold.  Windridge will provide payment to the artist, less a 20% commission. 

• Framing and Wiring Requirements ( MAA Framing & Wiring Requirements):  All selected works must be framed, gallery wrapped or professionally finished, securely wired with hanging wire (no loops, sawtooth hangers, etc).  If submitting an unframed canvas, edge must be painted or finished.  No wet canvases will be accepted. 
• • All accepted work must be exhibition-ready and deliverd to Windridge Vineyard Tasting Room on Monday, June 23. 

• Replacement of Sold Artwork: Artists whose work sold may it with a similarly sized piece during the 3 month show period by contacting the show manager or VP Shows. Artists are not to contact the staff at Windridge Vineyard to replace artwork. 

• Membership Requirement:  You must be a MAA member to register for this show.  If you need to renew your membership go to Join MAA.

• Show Prospectus:  Please read the SHOW PROPSECTUS for show registration requirements and details -- particularly how to rename and upload your artwork image. 

Hope to see your artwork in the show -- If you have any questions contact the MAA show manager Kathy Tynan ( kftynan@gmail.com or maaartists@gmail.com)

Figure Model Drawing Sunday Sessions

Join us on Sunday, August 3 for our Figure Model Drawing sessions. 

We are glad to be back and excited to announce we again have two models per session. The models will be on separate platforms throughout each session.

Moe and Chuck will be the models for both sessions.

Morning Session: 9am–12pm
Afternoon Session: 1pm–4pm

Located at the Compass Atelier in Kensington, Maryland.

Bring your favorite drawing tools, paper, and we'll provide the inspiration. There will be a combination of short and long poses. Easels are provided.

Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

MAA has teamed up with the Art Clinic Online to bring you an inspiring  conversation with Artist and Sculptor, Mary Early

Saturday August 9, 2025
10:30 - 11:30, via zoom

This is a free event for MAA members.  The zoom link will be sent to registered participants in the member registration email confirmation.

About Mary Early:

Mary Early is an American sculptor. Some of her work is made using beeswax and wood.  Born in Washington, DC, Mary Early studied at Bennington College. Her work had been exhibited at the American University Museum, Corcoran Gallery of Art, United States Botanic Garden, and the Washington Project for the Arts. She has also exhibited internationally in Austria and Germany. Early was commissioned to create a piece for the U.S. State Department Art in Embassies program which was installed in the United States Embassy in Amman, Jordan in 2018. Early is the director of Hemphill Fine Arts.

Untitled (Wreath II) by MARY EARLY, 2008-2010

  Art Clinic Online (ACO)

The mission of the Art Clinic Online (ACO) is to create dialog, relationships, and community among artists of all levels working in the DMV area.  Every other Saturday, a featured artist showcases their work and takes questions from participants.  At the ACO, our aim is to curate a variety of different presenters’ perspectives, backgrounds, and art making styles in order to highlight the diversity of our incredible DMV artists.  Recordings of past presentations can be found on ACO's webpage. ACO is founded by J. Jordan Bruns and is sponsored by Glen Echo Park and the Maryland State Arts Council.  For more:  https://www.jjbruns.com/art-clinic-online/

Meet the Artists & Jazz Night

Thursday, August 14

Essence of Summer Show at Windridge Vineyards

Registration Opens July 24

You're invited to the Meet the Artists who are exhibiting in the Essence of Summer art show at Windridge Vineyard. This will be a fun evening of good conversation and music and time to meet other MAA artists.  MAA members are welcome. The weather will be perfect so join us.

What better sign of summer in Maryland than Old Bay seasoned spiced crab?  Captured beautifully in Alexandra Treadaway-Hoare's watercolor Summer Crab Feast, it's a delicious nod to a beloved local tradition.  

Summer Crab Feast by Alexandra Treadaway-Hoare

When:  Thursday August 14, 5:00-8:00pm

Where:  Windridge Vineyard Tasting Room & Patio

To attend do two things? 

• Register to Attend:  Use the Register button below to let us know you plan to attend. 

• Reserve a Table for Non-Exhibiting MAA Members, Family, and Friends:
  If you are not one of the exhibiting artists, please reserve a table directly through the Windridge Vineyard website using the following link: Reserve a Table at Windridge.  We recommend selecting seating in the Tasting Room or Tasting Room – Partial Patio with Ceiling Fans to enjoy the live music and easily socialize with participating artists. You may also choose seating on the outdoor patio or lawn areas, but please note: these events tend to fill up quickly with regular Windridge patrons, so early booking is encouraged.  

• Exhibiting Artists – Reserved Artists’ Table:
  Exhibiting artists and their guest (+1) are invited to sit at a reserved Artists' Table inside the Tasting Room. Look for the "Artists Table" sign. This dedicated space offers a great opportunity to relax, mingle, and enjoy the company of fellow MAA members. MAA will provide light snacks and offer each exhibiting artist a complimentary glass of wine.  Seating is available for 16–18 people.
  

Art Show Dates:  Tasting Room - MAA's Essence of Summer Show ends on September 28.  We hope you take a moment to see the fabulous artwork of 21 member artists. 

Hope to see you there.  If you have questions related to this event contact Kathy Tynan at kftynan@gmail.com.

Registration open July 27-Aug 30

One of the special highlights of our annual Paint the Town Labor Day Show is our Plein Air Competition.

"Plein Air" means making art from full life in the moment, and outdoors.

Artists must each register their own canvases - as early as 4-7pm on Friday, August 29 and 7-11am on Saturday, August 30. Artists can submit one (1) two-dimensional work of art by 3pm on Saturday, August 30 for judging and sale at the general art exhibit. Prizes will be awarded during a reception that evening at 6pm in youth and adult categories.

Costumed models will also be present from 10am-1pm for the competition.

Judge: MAA is honored to present gallery owner and curator Christopher Addison as the judge for the Plein Air competition for 2025. You can read about Mr Addison here.

Artwork may be priced for sale and left on display at the Kensington Armory through Monday's exhibition. 

This activity is open to members, non-members and children.

Registration: Register on this page in advance, or in person at the Kensington Armory on August 29 or 30.

Cost: The competition is free for MAA members in good standing and for children (under age 18). Non-member adults pay $10 per person.

Download the 2025 PTT Plein Air Rules & Information for complete details.

Direct any questions to Lynn Lewis or Patti Connell

For participating artists of the 2025 Paint the Town show!

Friday evening before the PTT opens to the public, we are inviting participating artists and a guest, plus our donors, to a preview reception of the art.

The Artist Preview Reception will be held on Friday, August 29, from 5-7pm. We will have champagne and nonalcoholic drinks, and wonderful hors d'oeurves from local restaurant Talia Cuzina (remember the huge Mediterranean spread last year!!!).

There is no formal program, but a warm welcoming to the artists who are in this year's show, plus a guest. Come see friends, meet new artists, and share the joy of creating and showing wonderful art once again.

Paint the Town (PTT) Key Dates

Registration: July 15 - August 5

Drop off: August 27 - 28

Artist Preview Reception: August 29

Show: August 30 - September 1

Plein Air: August 29 - 30

Award Presentation: August 30

Pick up sold/unsold art: September 1 - 2

The Paint the Town Labor Day Show is our marquee event of the year. The three-day event includes a judged art show of approximately 500 pieces, live demonstrations, a plein air competition, bin work and card sales, and a warm community reception. The Town of Kensington, a long-time MAA supporter, provides the beautiful, historic Armory building to us for this show. 

Judge: MAA is honored to present Christopher Addison as the 2025 Judge for the PTT Show. Please read about Mr. Addison here.

Membership Requirement: Current membership is required to register for this show.

Submissions: MAA members may submit up to two (2) entries in any of these judged categories: 

• Kensington
• Landscape (natural and urban)
• Still Life
• Photography
• Portraits (people and animals)
• Abstract
• Sculpture.

Members can also register a third entry which will be added (in order of registration) if there is available space. We will limit the total artwork to about 500 pieces.

Bins for prints and card racks will be included in the show, with limitations (see Prospectus).

The registration fee is $20.

The Friday-Saturday Plein Air Competition is also judged. Registration is separate.

Prizes (cash and gift certificates) are awarded in 1st, 2nd and 3rd places and honorable mention. The Kensington category has as the first prize the Bertha Clum award, the highest award at this show.

Prospectus: Please refer to the 2025 Prospectus for full information, the PTT FAQs for 2025, and as appropriate, review the Digital Painting Guidelines for MAA Exhibits and Fractal Art as Digital Painting.

Show manager: Anastasia Walsh (maatreas@gmail.com) 

MAA is partnering with the Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival on September 28, 2025.  Two tents will be available for up to 15 member artists to display and sell prints, flat originals, and greeting cards.  MAA will also be walking in the Wheaton Arts Parade - participant member artists are encouraged to join the MAA group in the parade.  The FAQ is here. 

Below are the details:

• Where: The festival will be in Fryer Town Plaza in Wheaton and nearby streets. See map.
• Cost to participate: Free; MAA membership is required.
• What you may sell: Member artists may bring one print bin, one card rack, and 2 or 3 small framed original works (no larger than 14” in any dimension) with supporting easels. All prints and cards must be in plastic sleeves/bags. All items must have labels that shows price, artist name, and contact info.
•  Volunteering/staffing: Artists must be present to process sales and volunteer.  Participants must bring in their own items at drop off (8:00-8:30am) and be present to collect them promptly at the start of take down at 5:00pm. Participants must sign up to volunteer in 2-hour shifts during the festival day – from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm.; providing tent oversight and help with set up or take down as needed. Once we know all the participating artists, we will connect you with one another, in case you wish to pair up and self-organize shifts in the tents to process sales of artwork. 
• Join MAA in Walking in the Parade!  MAA member artists are encouraged to walk in the parade -you can walk, pull, carry, or wear your art.  Parade marchers will gather by 9:30am. The parade will start at 10 and last for about an hour (the route is about a half-mile).  Please carry a small or light piece of your artwork.   (Members are welcome to both walk in the parade and staff the MAA tent - just check "yes" when asked if you would like to walk in the parade while you are registering for your space in the MAA tent.  Please note that if you are staffing the tent you are not required to walk in the parade; additionally, you can only display your art at the tent if you are registered to staff the tent.)  If you would like to walk in the parade with the MAA group, please contact Lily Kak at lilypkak@gmail.com before September 18.
• Sales: Participants will process their own sales and receive 100% of sales; MAA is not taking a commission. We recommend you have electronic methods for accepting payments via credit card, PayPal/Venmo, as well as a cash sales. 

Disclaimer: Reasonable care and security will be provided by the MAA volunteer artists. Neither MAA nor the Wheaton Arts Festival and Parade organizations will be held responsible for loss or damage to artwork after dropping off, during the festival, and until picking up afterwards. Artists are advised to have their own insurance.

Key dates:
Registration: September 1-21, 2025
Event: September 28
--Setup: 8-10 am
--Open to the public: 10 am-5 pm
--Break down: 5-6 pm

Contacts: MAA event manager Lily Kak

MAA Members Show at Strathmore Mansion - Juried 

Registration Opens - August 21

Key Dates 

Show Dates:  November 22, 2025 - January 10, 2026

Registration: August 21 -September 11

Juried Art Selection:  September 16

Notification to Artists:  September 17

Selected Artwork Data to Strathmore:  September 22

Artwork Drop Off:  Oct. 30 - Nov. 1

Opening Reception:  Nov. 22, 1:00PM - 3:00PM

Artwork Pick Up: January 12, 11:00am - 3:00pm 

About the show:  We are thrilled to announce our very first Members Show at the prestigious Strathmore Mansion this November! This exceptional venue offers an incredible opportunity for MAA artists to showcase their work in one of the region’s most highly respected galleries.  

This is a juried exhibition of 60 artworks. The show will be located on the first floor of the Mansion adjacent to the annual miniatures show at Strathmore.  

Membership:  All members are warmly invited to register their artwork for consideration. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this exciting milestone for MAA!  We are honored to have Jordan Bruns as the juror. 

Eligible Media:  Original 2D artwork:  Oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, pastel, encaustic, drawing/ink mediums, hand-pulled prints, fused glass, textile-fiber arts.  Photography is not accepted in this show. 

Number of Artwork:  Members may register up to two original works to be considered by the show judge.  

Size of Artwork: We will strive for a balance of artwork sizes to create visual interest.  The Strathmore first floor gallery layout can accommodate the following approximate sizes.  

Cost:  There is no cost to register your work to be considered by the show judge.  Selected artwork/artist will pay a show fee of $10.  All registered artists will be notified by email of selected artists/artwork.  Strathmore will take a commission of up to 40%; artists will receive 60% of the retail price for sold artwork. 

How to Register:   Just click on the register button at the bottom of this announcement.  You will need to complete the following for each of your artworks (up to 2 entries only):

Title of Artwork 

Date the Artwork was Created.

Media of Artwork 

Dimensions of Artwork (including frame, height and width in inches)

Price (in whole numbers) All work must be for sale. 

Image (jpg, jpeg.format) Upload a high resolution image of your artwork.

**** Juror selections will be based solely on submitted images. Please ensure your photo accurately reflects the artwork’s true color, intensity, and overall appearance.

Framing & Wiring:  All 2D artwork must meet MAA framing requirements and wiring standards.  All two-dimensional work will need to be framed, gallery-wrapped or professionally finished, securely wired, ready for hanging with the maximum of any side of 60".  If submitting unframed work, the edges must be painted or finished.  No Wet Paint. Entries not meeting show conditions will not be accepted.  MAA retains the right to determine the suitability of the work for entry in this show. 

See framing guidance FRAMING GUIDANCE.

Artwork Juror:  We are delighted to announce that artist Jordan Bruns will serve as juror for this show.  Jordan has been a resident artist at the historic Chautauqua Tower in Glen Echo Park, Maryland, for the past 15 years. With a career spanning over two decades, he is known for his compelling abstract and representational work, as well as his dedication to teaching drawing and painting.  To learn more about Jordan and explore his artwork, visit his website:  The Art of Jordan Bruns.  

Drop off of Accepted Artwork:  Runs from October 30 - November 1. Strathmore will be managing the art drop off process.   Artists will receive a bookings link to schedule a drop off appointment a month prior to the actual drop off date. 

Artwork Image Usage:  Strathmore retains the sole right to distribute posters and all other materials (whether of value or not) in and around the Strathmore building.  

About Strathmore:  Strathmore Mansion has plays such an important role in our local arts community. It’s a place where creativity is nurtured, where local artists are not only welcomed but celebrated. Through its exhibitions, programs, and events, Strathmore gives artists a platform to share their work and connect with the public. It truly brings the arts to life in a way that enriches us all."