Local artists with up to six years of experience still have time to submit their entries for “Community,” a student and emerging artist competition in Ocala that begins in April.
During the competition, which will be held at Ocala City Hall (110 SE Watula Avenue), artists will compete in one of the following three divisions according to their respective years of experience: high school students, one to three years of active experience, and four to six years of active experience.
All entries must have been completed within the last two years. A juror will select winners in each division, as well as Best of Show, and awards will be presented at a reception that will take place at City Hall on Tuesday, April 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Prizes for this competition include scholarships to the College of Central Florida (high school division), a professional art framing at Cartigliano Arts (Best of Show), a free class at Picasso’s Palette (Best of Show), annual memberships to the Appleton Museum of Art and Marion Cultural Alliance (all winners), and a registration fee waiver for the 2024-25 season of First Friday Art Walk (all winners).
Each artist may submit one piece for the exhibition and jurying. All entries must include the entry form, an artist statement, and photographs of the artwork (in a .jpg format with a resolution of at least 1900 pixels in the widest dimension).
Artists can email photos, mail printed photos, or submit a CD or USB with digital images. Entries must be submitted by no later than 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 17.
Entries can be submitted online, via email to artinfo@ocalafl.gov, or mailed to City of Ocala Cultural Arts, 201 SE 3rd Street, second floor, Ocala, FL 34471. Please note that mailed items will not be returned.
All artists selected for the competition will drop off their artwork at City Hall on Monday, April 8, between the hours of 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., and the show will open the following day.
The show will come to a close on Monday, October 14. Artwork must be picked up on the final day by no later than 5:30 p.m.
Sponsors of the 2024 Student and Emerging Artist Competition include the City of Ocala, Appleton Museum of Art, Cartigliano Arts, College of Central Florida, Marion Cultural Alliance, and Picasso’s Palette.
For more information, or to view the complete call to artists, contact the Ocala Cultural Arts Office at 352-629-8447 or visit the City of Ocala Cultural Arts webpage.