OCALA, Fla. (April 24, 2024) – The 2024 Student and Emerging Artist Exhibition ‘COMMUNITY’ award winners were announced Tuesday, April 23during a reception and award ceremony hosted by the City of Ocala Cultural Arts Division at City Hall. The awards have been presented annually since 2016 to local high school students and emerging artists. The winners in each category are listed below.

High School:

• First Place: “Grandma” by Miharn Oka
• Second Place: “When You Need a Hand” by Levi Come
• Third Place: “The Weekly Walk” by Juliana Henningsen

   

  One to Three Years Active Art Experience:

• First Place: “Comunitron 3000” by Jess Arcila
• Second Place: “Emerging Manatee” by Nick Conzone
• Third Place: “Lavender Dreams” by Karen Hoffman

   

  Four to Six Years Active Art Experience:

• First Place: “Face to Face” by Westly Kessler
• Second Place: “Esquina de Abuela” by Carla Gonzalez
• Third Place: “Patience” by Patricia Teal

 Best in Show: 

• “Bad Balance” by Lillian Hart

The juror for this year’s competition was Emily Schafer, Dean of Florida School of the Arts at St. Johns River State College.

Prizes for this competition included scholarships to the College of Central Florida (High School Division), a feature in Ocala Style (Best of Show), a $150 gift certificate for a class at the Chelsea Art Center (Best of Show), a free class at Painting with a Twist (Best of Show), a $25 gift card to Marley Mae Market and Paperie (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).

This event is sponsored by the City of Ocala, Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, Chelsea Art Center, Magnolia Media Co., Marion Cultural Alliance, Marley Mae Market and Paperie, and Painting with a Twist.

For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Cultural Arts Division Office at 352-629-8383 or artinfo@ocalafl.gov; or visit www.ocalafl.gov/culturalarts.