City art competition promotes young artists and community art scene
BY BRAD ROGERS
S
ince 2016, the City of Ocala, in partnership with the Magnolia Art Xchange (MAX), has been sponsoring the Student and Emerging Artists Competition to promote up-and-coming artists in the region. Over the past seven years, the annual contest has grown steadily, with it attracting 54 entries this year. Once the winning artists are selected, their works are shared with the community. The winning artworks are put on display and offered for sale in city-owned buildings, including City Hall, the Recreation and
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Parks Administration Building, the Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center, the Barbara Gaskin Washington Adult Activity Center, the Ocala International Airport terminal, the City Clerk’s Office, and coming soon, the new Mary Sue Rich Community Center. Currently there are more than 100 works of art from the Student and Emerging Artists Competition exhibited throughout the city. Winners are judged by an out-of-town art expert and, upon winning, receive membership or affiliate status with the Appleton Museum of Art, MAX and the Marion Cul-
tural Alliance. The College of Central Florida also offers a partial scholarship to those artists wanting to go to school. In short, said Leslie Nottingham, Cultural Arts and Science Division head for the city, “It gives these artists exposure and easier access to art opportunities.” This month, Ocala Magazine profiles the last three Student and Emerging Artist Best of Show winners and their works. They are Emily Lane Ferguson (2020), Jaeda Samuel-McKnight (2021) and Alex Estrada (2022).
