OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 12, 2024) – The City of Ocala will host the Tuscawilla Sculpture Stroll Saturday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tuscawilla Park and Art Park located at 213 NE Fifth St. This event is free and open to the public.
The Biennial Ocala Outdoor Sculpture competition, currently in its seventh year, will feature artists from across North America. A selection jury, comprised of local community and art organization representatives, selected ten sculptures to advance in the competition and travel to Tuscawilla Park and the Tuscawilla Art Park for a 22-month exhibit that spans multiple acres of green space in downtown Ocala.
Self-guided tour catalogs and scavenger hunt brochures will be available during the event. Each new sculpture is paired with a local non-profit organization and a family-friendly, art-themed game for visitors to play. Tickets for the games are available from Ocala Cultural Arts for $0.50 a ticket at the Information Tent. Cash-only sales on site for the game tickets.
This year’s artists and sculptures include:
- Lee Bell, Sarasota, FL - “Fernando”
- Richard Herzog, Athens, GA – “Dalband Satellite Flower”
- Hanna Jubran, Grimesland, NC – “Double Helix”
- Harry McDaniel, Asheville, NC – “Impractical Hardware”
- Michael O’Khaen, Miami, FL – “Flamingo”
- Roberto Perez Crespo, Hialeah, FL – “Pollination”
- Jeffrey Repko, Atlanta, GA – “Beckon”
- Kirk Seese, Lutherville Timonium, MD – “The Feathers Three”
- Laurie Sheridan, Port Ewen, NY – “Fecund Pod”
- Jamie Weinfurter, Iowa City, IA – “Amalgamation”
Voting for the People’s Choice Award will take place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. During this time, event attendees can cast votes for their favorite sculpture at Tuscawilla Park. Merit Judge, Sarah Howard, Interim Director School of Art & Art History from the University of Florida, will be on site to announce Best in Show, Second Place, Honorable Mention, and People’s Choice at 1:30 p.m. at the Art Park stage.
This free event will include live music, local artisans, craftsmen, non-profits, and complimentary face painting. Additionally, food and refreshments will be available for purchase from local food trucks.
The City of Ocala Cultural Arts creates opportunities for public art to transform ordinary spaces into destinations. The goal of the Art in City Spaces program is to foster creativity, discovery and thoughtfulness among Ocala’s citizens and visitors.
For more information, contact the City of Ocala Cultural Arts at artinfo@ocalafl.gov or 352-629- 8383.
