Artomatic, one of the DC region’s most celebrated open-entry arts festivals, is an event that connects artists with opportunities to share their work with the community. Artomatic is a volunteer-run, unjuried arts festival that transforms large spaces into temporary galleries and performance venues, bringing together hundreds of visual artists, musicians, performers, and creatives from across the region.
Welcome to our March edition. I’m excited for the Spring. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the cold weather and taking advantage of visiting museums without the crowds, but I’m looking forward to running without all the snow and ice.
I’m excited to launch the first of our monthly collaborations with Busboys and Poets, which will take place on the last Wednesday of each month. Each event will feature a guest presenter. Come and invite your fellow artists! I hope to see many of you there! See below for more details.
Pre-planning is in full swing. We are developing guides on picking your room, choosing your art, setting up your room, and more. Let me know if you can think of any other guides that would be useful.
We are in discussions with businesses to use a building for a summer or fall Artomatic! Our building committee is actively meeting with local governments and businesses to identify the best space, including those that were recommended by our members. Keep your fingers crossed. Nothing is solidified yet! Remember, we’re looking for an empty but functional building—at least 100,000 sq. ft. and within a half-mile walk of Metro. We’ll share updates as soon as something is confirmed!
Have an artist opportunity or event to share with our 12,000 subscribers? Send it to info@artomatic.org—it makes my job a lot easier! And don’t forget to tag Artomatic in your posts so we can help spread the word.
Taxes for Artists. Creative Collective provides a free online class demystifies tax filing. The course breaks down the types of taxes artists may encounter, from federal and state income tax to employment and sales taxes, including how rates work and how they’re calculated. You’ll learn how to track income and expenses using a system that fits your workflow, and review common business deductions for self-employed artists. The course also covers when it’s worth working with an accountant and what to look for in a tax professional.
Encaustic & Mixed Media Painting. 1 March from 12 – 5 pm at Yellow Barn Studios, Glen Echo Park, Bethesda, MD.
Altered Books: 11 March to 8 April from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at VisArts, Rockville, MD. Turn book pages into works of art.
Encaustic Painting & 3D Construction: 28 March from 10 am – 2:30 pm at Columbia Art Center, Columbia, MD.
Street Photography. Montgomery College classes start 26 March. Capture striking, off-the-cuff images of everyday life. Learn the strategies of a street photographer, like pre-focusing and the no-look shot. Explore composition and storytelling techniques of juxtaposition, color contrast, and implied narrative. Class meets on campus and at locations in Washington, DC. Prerequisite: Introductory class or experience using a DSLR or mirrorless camera. Students must provide their own cameras. $229 for MD residents. $369 for non residents.
Artist Lab. Access online courses and resources.
Punk Rock Flea Market. 1 March from 12 – 4 pm at the Steinhardt Brewing Company in Frederick. Featuring art, jewelry, and more!
Artist Studios for Rent. Sandy Spring Museum in MD has studios available to independent artists. All studios have free wifi and opportunities to participate in museum activities, like hosting classes, consigning in the museum’s gift shop and participating in the annual Fine Arts & Crafts Holiday Gift Show.
Community Gallery Space. Sandy Spring Museum has space for for short-term, small-scale exhibits by local artists. You may also rent the gallery for exhibiting personal collections.
Craft Vendors wanted for Strawberry Festival. 6 June from 10 – 5pm at the Sandy Spring Museum. This is a great opportunity to sell you art! All items must be for sale and must be handmade by the vendor. If you have questions about participating, please reach out to Yu Jie. Early applications are due 13 March and are accepted as space is available on a rolling basis until 30 April. $125/outdoor both and $150/indoor booth with electricity.
Creative Card Swap. I love this idea so much that I’m leaving it in the newsletter another month! It is such a wonderful way to share art with others and to get art! It is ongoing and open to all artists with a U.S Domestic (or Equivalent) Mailing Address. Check out some of the previous cards in this gallery.
Tomorrow’s World Today. Read compelling stories in science, technology, and sustainability.
2027 Creative Capital Open Call. Application portal opens 2 March and closes 2 April. There is a 4 March information session at 1pm plus an information handbook to help you with your application. Grant funds up to $50k for the creation of innovative new work in any discipline.
Open Call for 2027 exhibitions at Sandy Spring Museum. Whether you’re interested in a solo exhibition (featuring 30–50 pieces) or participating in a group show (They will thoughtfully pair your work with others), they invite you to submit a proposal. Sandy Spring Museum would be honored to help curate and showcase your work as part of their commitment to celebrating folklore and cultural heritage through the arts.
Fast and Fabulous. Del Ray Artisans Gallery. Motor enthusiasts unite!—whether you’re a grease monkey, gear head, motorhead, or simply a lover of transportation, this show invites you to share the vehicles that bring you joy, from dream machines to your very first car. Exhibit date 3-25 April. Deadline 10 March.
The Arts Commission Young Artists at Work. Student intern applications are due 13 March.
National Council on Aging Photography Contest. Photographs should showcase adults aged 60+ thriving through family, friendship, and community.
Submissions are due 15 March.
Artists’ Undertaking Gallery. They are looking for both 2D and 3D art of this gallery just South of DC in a great town (Occoquan) full or restaurants and galleries. Be sure to visit. Submissions due 15 March.
2026 DAG Visual Arts Prize. Awarded annually to an emerging artist whose work contributes meaningfully to the evolution of visual art in the United States. $20,000. Deadline: 18 March.
250 and Counting: All Media. Artists are invited to submit works that reference American life during the 250 years since the Declaration of Independence. Submissions may explore history, culture, ideals, struggles, or visions of the future. Submissions are due 22 March. The show opens 18 April.
Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts. The artwork of the twenty finalists will be displayed at the Opening Reception and will be offered for sale throughout the Spotlight Art Show, April 24 – May 21, 2026.
Artist Opportunity Database. A searchable database, filled with grants and opportunities. Lots of interesting opportunities including an all expense paid residency to produce salad bowls in Maine or a residency on the Oregon coast.You can search it or set it up to send you emails based on your filters (discipline, region, eligibility, application fee, due date, etc!
Association of Performance Arts Professionals Job Bank and Career Center. One stop shop for performance arts jobs!
Only for Artists Substack. Check out this page for listings of open calls.
Look: An Unexpected Art Experience. 17 February – 1 March and 6 – 8 March in Arlington in an old Walgreens building. This show has tons of free performances and workshops. It “kinda” reminds me of a mini Artomatic from the description. Kinda.
Ecumenical Oddities by J.D Brayton. 7 – 26 March at the beachKraft Gallery in Olney, MD. The opening reception is 7 March from 5-7pm. An associated poetry night will take place on 12 March from 8-10pm.
Art+Wine+Cheese Thursdays at Nepenthe Gallery. Located in Alexandria, VA.
5 March: Tribute to Bob Murray
12 March: Floral Arrangements by the Yacht Haven Garden Club
19 March: Gary Fisher: New works from Antartica
26 March: American Society of Photographers: Resonance: Perspectives Through the Lens
DC Environmental Film Festival. At various venues throughout the DMV. 19-28 March.
National Portrait Gallery Teen Portrait Competition. Wow. Take a look at the online gallery to see the winners of this competition and be amazed by their talent. This competition was inspired by the Gallery’s triennial Outwin Boochever Competition which opens at the NPG on 24 January.
Recommendations from your friends at Artomatic.
Artomatic Happy Hour at Busboys and Poets. 25 March from 4:30 – 7 pm at the Takoma Park location. This month we’re pleased to welcome Carol Rhodes Dyson, who will present Where Art Meets Community: Showing your Work at Busboys and Poets. I hope to meet many of you there.
The List of Suspicious Things. I had a hard time putting down this novel by Jennie Godfrey about a pre teen girl growing up in a mill town in Yorkshire England in the 80s.
March Madness. Yes, it is the time of year. My alma mater is looking great this year (both the women’s and men’s teams), so I’m hoping they can keep it up. Go Blue!
Hosting an event this big, in a building past its prime, for eight weeks – it’s a massive undertaking. We deeply appreciate our partners and sponsors, who make Artomatic possible by donating space and services. Beyond that, we rely on donations from you to power the event. (Literally – we have electric bills!).
No other metro area has a community-based arts event quite like Artomatic. We hope this creative extravaganza brought you creative inspiration, connection, and joy. Please show your gratitude by making a donation today.
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