Ocala Metro Art Scene

11/12/2024

Celebrate the arts with MCA with their 17th annual Applaud the Arts: Surrealist Ball, this Thursday, November 14, at the NOMA Black Box! The doors open at 5:43, where guests will enjoy an amazing Surreal-themed spread by La Casella (Hello, Bird Nests with Golden Chocolate Eggs 🐣🍫), live entertainment by Artify Ocala, and beats by DJWON6. They will announce the 2024-2025 Cultural Grants recipients! They are giving away a whopping $60,000 to 11 incredible arts organizations!

There will be a People’s Choice award for the best costume and Ocala Magazine will be there to feature the best dressed in a fashion spread! Get your tickets: onecau.se/applaudthearts

10/30/2024

Get a sneak peek and learn more about the upcoming show!

Join us before the show on opening night of "The Glass Menagerie" for DRINKS WITH THE DIRECTOR!

Hosted by OCT Executive & Artistic Director Greg Thompson and OCT audience favorite Scott Fitzgerald, this lively cocktail hour is a (spoiler-free!) sneak peek at the show you’re just about to see. You’ll meet the directors and designers whose collective creative vision has brought "The Glass Menagerie" to life, with opportunities for Q&A. Enjoy complimentary light hors d’oeuvres and a private bar with drinks for sale.

This intimate interlude is held from 6-7 p.m. in Studio A before the curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. Come celebrate with us and say cheers to the excitement of opening night!

Admission is free to DRINKS WITH THE DIRECTOR. RSVP: https://forms.office.com/r/27eHimiDka

10/25/2024

CALL TO ARTISTS!! DEADLINE QUICKLY APPROACHING!

The Shapot Art Gallery invites artists to submit their work for HOME, an upcoming exhibition that explores the meaning of "home." Whether it’s a physical space, an emotional refuge, or a memory that holds significance, we encourage artists to share their personal interpretations of what home means to them. This is an opportunity to showcase diverse perspectives and expressions of comfort, belonging, and identity. Let your creativity flow and help us celebrate the many layers of "home" in this unique show.

Submissions are now open! You have until midnight NOVEMBER 2nd to submit your work: https://forms.gle/j7ZcREGzDa78dMMq6

Interested in submitting?
All submissions must adhere to the following rules:
*Artwork must relate to the show theme "home". Some ideas might include local landmarks, a fond memory, or someone you love
*Artists are allowed to submit only 1 artwork each
*Artwork may not exceed 48" height
*All mediums will be considered
*You must submit your art through the Google form (link above) by Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 11:59 PM EST. Contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
*In addition to the Google form, you must email high quality photographs of your art to [email protected] by Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 11:59 PM EST
*All submitting artists will be notified of acceptance by Monday, November 4th, 2024
*Artwork being mailed needs to be able to be easily repackaged in the case of it not selling during the exhibit. Shipped artwork must be received by Wednesday, November 6th. Artist is responsible for all shipping costs.
*Accepted artists will need to deliver their artwork to Shapot Art Gallery (2318 NE 8th Rd., Ocala, FL 34470) on Wednesday, November 6th, 10 AM - 9 PM

10/05/2024

Enjoy the Appleton Museum today and Ocala Studio & Gallery Tours - First Saturdays!

Today is FREE First Saturday! It's a fun and busy day and here is what we have planned:

✨ Free admission all day, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
🎨 Fun, family-friendly art activities in the Artspace, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
🇪🇸 "Art in Spain" talk in the auditorium by Dr. Jose Gaudier, 11 a.m.
🩰 Short performances in the auditorium by Devotions Dance Company, 1-3 p.m.
🍩 The Donut Express and Poppy's Dogs food trucks onsite throughout the day
🐶 Humane Society of Marion County Florida in the café with furry friends

Free First Saturdays are supported in part by Campus USA Credit Union, Marion Cultural Alliance and National Endowment for the Arts.

10/03/2024

Cast your votes!!

🗳️ VOTE NOW for the People’s Choice Award! 🌌✨

The COSMOS Juried Online Art Competition is live, and we need YOUR help to choose the People's Choice Award winner! Head over to our website nomaocala.com to cast your vote. PLUS, your likes on our social posts count too—so be sure to follow, like, and share to support your favorite artists!

This is your chance to celebrate creativity and talent in this cosmic-themed competition. 🌠 Show some love and help us recognize the amazing artists who brought their visions of the universe to life!

🔗 Vote and share today!

Artist

10/02/2024

🎨🎭 Let's celebrate the ARTS this October! 🎶✨ Explore and experience all the arts, all month long in Ocala Metro. Whether you're a local or visiting, there's something for everyone! FOR ALL THE ARTS, YEAR ROUND...VISIT: https://www.ocalametroartscene.com/

09/19/2024

Don't miss your chance to submit to Marion Cultural Alliance's annual juried art exhibition! "Dreamscapes: Beyond Reality" seeks to gather a diverse array of artworks that reflect the essence of Surrealism, a movement that has pushed the boundaries of reality and imagination since its inception in the early 20th century. In the vast realm of art, where creativity knows no bounds, Surrealism stands as a testament to the extraordinary. It is a movement that transcends the boundaries of reality, inviting viewers to step into the enigmatic landscapes of dreams and subconscious thoughts.

MCA invites creators of all mediums to submit their most imaginative and thought-provoking pieces. Whether your work explores the dreamlike distortions of everyday objects, vivid and strange landscapes, or the deepest recesses of the human psyche, we want to see your dreams come to life.

Deadline to enter is Sunday, September 22 at midnight. Artists can submit up to two (2) pieces for consideration that fits the theme. Selected participants will be competing to win over $1000 in cash prizes, awards and exhibiting opportunities through MCA. Special thanks to the LILAC Foundation for sponsoring this exhibit each year. Go to https://mcadreamscapes.artcall.org/ for more!

Ocala Metro Art Scene is your year-round, all-inclusive arts and entertainment resource for in and around Marion County, Florida. Whether you’re a local, new in town, or just passing through, you’ll be sure to find something on OcalaMetroArtScene.com.

09/17/2024

Support our local art organizations this ! Every dollar helps! Give4Marion is today, September 17 until 7 pm, September 18. https://www.give4marion.org/

Arts in Health Ocala Metro
Fort King Heritage Foundation
Friends of Silver Springs State Park, Inc
(Sholom Park) Horticultural Arts & Park Institute, Inc.
Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band, Inc.
Magnolia Art Xchange
Marion Cultural Alliance
Marion County Literacy Council 
Ocala Civic Theatre
Ocala Symphony Community Music Conservatory

09/11/2024

Get ready for a magical Disney music concert at Marion Technical Institute in Ocala, FL! Join Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band and Once Upon A Party, LLC for an enchanting performance featuring Disney characters. Don't miss Captain Jack Sparrow introducing "Pirates of the Caribbean" and Ariel singing “Part of Your World”. Plus, special guest Elizabeth Graff on Alto Sax with “Let It Go”! Doors open at 1 pm Saturday and 2 pm Sunday. And don't miss their opening act Uniqulele! This event is free - bring the whole family for a magical experience. For more details visit, https://www.ocalametroartscene.com/event/kingdom-of-the-sun-concert-the-musical-world-of-disney-september-14th-15th-2024/

09/10/2024

Get ready for the most epic MCA auction yet! They are going hybrid this year, with an online auction starting Sept 6 and a grand finale in-person party on Sept 13 at The Brick. Join them for a night of fun, drinks, and bidding on amazing items and experiences! 🥂🎉

09/08/2024

🖌️CALLING FLORIDA MURALIST! The City of Ocala Cultural Arts has an open call to artists to create a new captivating public mural on the downtown Ground Storage Tank located, at SE 3rd Avenue and SE Fifth Street in Ocala, FL. The mural will wrap the tank 360 degrees from ground level to the top of the exterior tank wall. This opportunity is open to residing Florida visual artists with large mural experience. Eligible artists can submit one design with the theme of local Marion County flora and fauna.

The deadline to apply is September 12. For more information and to apply, visit www.ocalafl.gov/public-art.

09/06/2024

Enjoy an epic night of urban dance and celebration as the City of Ocala Recreation & Parks showcase their amazing dance students! Come out to the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center on September 7 from 5-9 PM for a fun-filled evening of dancing, friends, and fantastic routines from Footloose Senior Line Dance, KDC Line Dance, and J’s Elite Dance of Ocala. DJ Samp Da Champ will keep the beats rolling all night long! Light refreshments will be served and it's only $5 per person! This event is open to ages 50+ so bring your dancing shoes and get ready for a night you won't forget!
https://www.ocalametroartscene.com/event/urban-dance-party/

09/05/2024

Get ready to be blown away by the vibrant, colorful, and spiritual art of Heather Dawn Batchelor at her solo exhibition, “Portals of Perception,” opening on Saturday, September 7th from 6-9 pm at 8th Ave Gallery in Ocala, FL. Don’t miss this chance to experience her dynamic abstract expressionism in person!