With arts continuously growing in our community, the City of Ocala is pleased to host the fourth Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition. This competition came to fruition in 2012 when the City adopted a Recreation and Parks Master Plan that recommended developing a Community Arts in Parks Plan designed specifically to address cultural programming in parks and community centers.
The 2018-2019 Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition received 117 entries from across North America, including Canada. A selection jury comprised of local community and arts organization representatives selected 10 sculptures to go on display in Tuscawilla Park and the Tuscawilla Art Park, located just east of the Ocala Union Station, for a 20-month exhibit. The exhibit will include works made of sandstone, concrete, aluminum, steel and scrap metal. Unique to the 2018-2019 Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition, the event will include a solar-powered and kinetic sculpture, as well as two new installations in Lake Tuscawilla. Installation of the sculptures will take place Monday, February 12 through Thursday, February 15.
The 10 sculptures included in the 2018-2019 Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition are:
• Navigator: Mike Hansel, Middletown, Rhode Island
• Transcendence: Corrina Sephora, Atlanta, Georgia
• Robustae: John Gamache, Ocala, Florida
• Job: Claudia Lauster, Naples, Florida
• Leaf Boats: Keith Bryant, Charlotte, North Carolina
• Waves: Richard Whitehill, Earlysville, Virginia
• Monolith Series: Shine: Kevin Lehman, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• Arabesque: Gus and Lina Ocamposilva, Clearwater, Florida
• Metal Elephant: James Futral, Fort Myers, Florida
• Untitled (Monument to John Glenn): Darryl Lauster, Arlington, Texas
The unveiling reception that is traditionally paired with the opening of this sculpture exhibit has a fresh take for 2018. “BOBA: Beginning of Bolted Art” will feature a fantastic concert performance featuring Ethio-Jazz singer-songwriter Meklit. The reception will transform the art into a lively venue that will allow attendees to experience the sculptures in a new, unique way. Attendees will take a journey through the sculptures with a docent, or guide, while enjoying a signature cocktail and small bite pairing at each stop.
This ticketed event will be held Thursday, February 15 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Tuscawilla Art Park located at 223 NE Fifth Street. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at bobasculpturevip.eventbrite.com.
