Digitally generated illustration of chalk art. Not a photo of an Ocala event.
Ocala Arts Calls: Nov. 13 Deadline for "Foundation" Show, Chalk Walk Applications Open, Five Free City Exhibitions
This is a arts & culture news article published on 2026-10-17 covering local Marion County, Florida news. The City of Ocala is taking artist entries for the "Foundation" student and emerging artist show (deadline Nov. 13, 2026), applications for the Jan. 30, 2027 OTrak Chalk Walk, and has five free exhibitions on display in city buildings through December.
Digitally generated illustration of chalk art. Not a photo of an Ocala event.
"Foundation": Student and Emerging Artist Competition
The city and Fine Arts For Ocala (FAFO) invite Marion County artists with up to six years of experience to enter one original work completed within the past two years. Entries are due by 11:59 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. Artists compete in one of three divisions: high school students, artists with one to three years of active experience, and artists with four to six years.
- Artwork drop-off: Tuesday, Dec. 1, and Wednesday, Dec. 2, 3:30 to 6 p.m., at Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave.
- On display: Thursday, Dec. 3, 2026, through Tuesday, March 9, 2027, at Ocala City Hall.
- Awards reception: Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2027, 5 to 6:30 p.m., at City Hall.
- Prizes: a $1,000 Best of Show award from FAFO, scholarships to the College of Central Florida for high school division winners, gift certificates, free Painting with a Twist classes, and annual memberships to the Appleton Museum of Art and Marion Cultural Alliance for all winners.
Applications are at ocalafl.gov/seaexhibit and can be submitted online, emailed to artinfo@ocalafl.gov or mailed to City of Ocala Cultural Arts, 201 SE Third St., Second Floor.
OTrak Chalk Walk, Jan. 30, 2027
The fourth annual OTrak Chalk Walk is set for Saturday, Jan. 30, 2027, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tuscawilla Art Park, 213 NE Fifth St. The 2027 theme is "Inspired by the Masters." Professional artists who live and work in Florida and Marion County middle and high school students can apply with no application fee, and the city lists cash prizes of $1,000 (first) and $500 (second and fan favorite) for professionals and $500 and $100 for students. Sponsor, artisan, nonprofit and food truck applications opened Oct. 5 at ocalafl.gov/artpark. Questions go to Cultural Arts at 352-629-8447. Our Tuscawilla Park guide covers the venue.
Art in City Spaces: Five Free Exhibitions
The city's rotating program shows local and regional artists in five indoor city galleries, free during each building's regular hours:
- Through the Looking Glass by Linda Bourassa: Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center, 830 NE Eighth Ave., through Dec. 16.
- Creative Voices by Arts in Health Ocala Metro: Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., through Dec. 17.
- Landscapes by Nancy Bowden: Clerk's Office inside City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., through Dec. 2.
- Waterscapes by Marjorie Dodrill: Ocala International Airport, 1770 SW 60th Ave., Suite 600, through Dec. 22.
- Stillness in Motion by Gwen Morrison: Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., through Dec. 3.
Questions on the exhibitions go to 352-629-8383 or artinfo@ocalafl.gov. For more art around town, see our Ocala art galleries guide, the monthly First Friday Art Walk, the Appleton Museum of Art and the Discovery Center, and our things to do in Ocala.
Sources: City of Ocala press releases, "Call to Artists: 2026 Student and Emerging Artist Competition - Foundation" (Sept. 16, 2026), "Artist Applications Open for 2027 OTrak Chalk Walk" (Sept. 23, 2026) and "Five New Exhibitions Now on Display Through City of Ocala's Art in City Spaces Program" (July 21, 2026). Checked Oct. 17, 2026.
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