Ocala Municipal Arts Commission Meeting - April 1, 2026

The Ocala Municipal Arts Commission (OMAC) met on April 1, 2026, at 4:00 PM in Ocala City Hall. The meeting included a project approval, updates on the public artist roster, and a review of the license plate fund. Board members also shared upcoming arts events.

Projects

• Mount Moriah Commemorative Public Art Project: Cultural Arts Supervisor Emily Parkman presented a proposal to commission a freestanding monument/sculpture commemorating the Mount Moriah congregation, which previously occupied the site now being developed into a city parking garage. The city set aside $40,000 from the parking garage fund for this public art. The project will proceed via an open call to Florida artists, with a selection committee including congregation and community members. Per form-based code, the artwork cannot include language or religious iconography; a separate historical plaque will be provided. Staff recommended approval. OMAC voted unanimously to approve the project.

Other Business

• Public Artist Roster Open Call: Cultural Arts Coordinator Jamie Antonetti reported that the roster call went live on CAFE on April 27, 2025, with a deadline of April 27, 2026. Currently, 68 applicants have applied. OMAC members will receive online access in May to evaluate qualifications, with a discussion meeting scheduled for June 5, 2026. Staff reminded members not to discuss evaluations outside of meetings due to Sunshine Law requirements. The roster is not yet publicly available but will be updated with artist permission.
• License Plate Fund Review: Jamie Antonetti presented a summary of the fund over the past six years. The current balance is $9,037, with approximately $4,800 available after expenses. The fiscal year ends September 30. Discussion included strategies to increase grant awareness, such as updating the website and marketing materials.
• Overview of Grantees: Staff provided a historical list of grantees and noted that 2024 saw a significant increase in grants awarded. Recurring applicants were highlighted, and the commission discussed outreach to organizations like Kingdom of the Sun and school districts.

Staff Comments

• Planning Director Aubrey Hale reported on city website updates aimed at centralizing grant information, including the upcoming website redo expected by September 2026. He also noted that CRA cultural art grants are being expanded to other districts, with East and West Ocala CRAs in early stages, while Downtown CRA is in a different lifecycle.

Board Comments

• David Reutter invited members to the Appleton Museum's free Saturday exhibition celebrating American art, featuring a loaned sculpture by Arnold Barbaro.
• Darian Mosley reported that the Marion County Maker Collective held its first combat robotics event with 24 teams from as far as Palm Beach and Gainesville.
• Natalie McComb announced the Ocala Symphony Orchestra's closing weekend (April 11-12) and the release of its 51st season, including a live Disney movie concert of Aladdin in November.
• Brooke Hutto (via Natalie) noted Fine Arts for Ocala's Symphony Under the Stars on May 10, with new VIP sections.
• Greg Thompson announced Ocala Civic Theatre's season reveal, including upcoming productions of Children of Eden and a new adaptation of A Christmas Carol.
• Leslie Hammond had no comments.
• Emily Parkman (Cultural Arts) highlighted upcoming events: First Friday Art Walk (April 3), Literary and Poetry Festival (April 11 with 50 authors), and Sand and Sun Festival (May 16 with sand sculptors at Citizens Circle).

Key Outcomes

• The Mount Moriah Commemorative Public Art Project was unanimously approved.
• The Public Artist Roster open call is ongoing; evaluation will occur at a special meeting on June 5, 2026.
• The next regular OMAC meeting is scheduled for June 3, 2026.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:00 PM.