Photographers Invited to Explore American Themes in Washington County Museum Exhibition

The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts has issued a call for entries for its upcoming Cumberland Valley Photographers 2026 Exhibition, inviting photographers from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia to submit their work. The exhibition aims to showcase contemporary photographic interpretations of significant themes relevant to the nation’s approaching 250th anniversary, including history, identity, place, and civic life. This juried show encourages artists to explore the evolving American narrative through their unique perspectives, whether personal, local, or national.

The exhibition is structured around four interconnected themes designed to inspire reflection on both the past and present of the American experience. These themes, partly informed by guidelines from the American Association of State and Local History for the nation’s anniversary year, are “Unfinished Revolutions,” “Power of Place,” “Tell Everyone’s Story,” and “American Experiment.” Photographers are encouraged to respond to these themes in any manner they deem appropriate, allowing for literal or metaphorical interpretations, individual or collective viewpoints, and a range of photographic styles from documentary to conceptual, figurative to abstract. The goal is to foster a collection of visually compelling and conceptually rich works that reflect the diverse voices within the region.

Eligibility for the exhibition is extended to photographers residing in or who have previously lived in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia, provided they have been featured in prior exhibitions at the museum. The museum welcomes submissions utilizing all photographic processes. Photographers interested in participating must submit their entries between April 1 and April 30, 2026. The selected works will be on display at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts from June 20 to October 11, 2026, providing the public with an opportunity to engage with contemporary photography that addresses the critical conversations surrounding America’s 250th anniversary and art’s role in understanding shared history. Detailed submission guidelines and entry information are available on the museum’s website.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts.

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