The City of Ocala, through its Cultural Arts and Sciences Division, has announced the launch of a new mural installation along the Osceola Trak in the Midtown area.
Orlando-based artist SKIP will begin painting the north-facing façade of the Seminole Feed building, located at 335 N.E. Watula Ave., on Monday, April 26. It is expected to be completed by Friday, May 7, weather permitting.
The mural is adjacent to the Tuscawilla Art Park, located at 225 N.E. Fifth St., and will replace the current mural that has adorned the building for five years.
SKIP also will be creating a video around the installation of the mural to be featured on his channel. Partially sponsored by Ocala Electric Utility, the mural is being completed as the public art element for this year’s Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series. Each year, the series includes a public art project to enhance creative placemaking in the community.
“We are very excited for this project to come to fruition,” said Laura Walker, Cultural Arts and Sciences division head. “This project will be a great addition to our current public art collection, while encouraging the use of OTrak and providing additional avenues for national and international accessibility to our public art collection through the video production component.”
The concept for the mural is built on the idea of the connectivity and use of OTrak through various forms of pedestrian transportation. The mural will include various pedestrians who utilize the OTrak and the nearby Ocala Skate Park such as cyclists, runners, walkers, skaters and rollerbladers.
SKIP, whose real name is Justin Skipper, is an artist, musician and filmmaker. The Orlando-based postmodern satirist and multi-disciplined artist and creator uses his unique balance of nihilism and optimism to present his artistic ideas through various creative skill sets, including but not limited to, hand-cut stencils, giant interactive art installations, wall murals, carpentry, photography, costuming, illustration and graphic design.
SKIP is known especially for his level of comfort and control in using spray paint, and his ability to manipulate the medium to more closely resemble the smooth finish and clean lines more commonly associated with screen-printing.
The City of Ocala offers many visual art opportunities in city spaces. Public art is complimentary and is intended for everyone to enjoy. Detailed information about current programming and future projects can be found at www.ocalafl.org/culturalarts. Self-guided public art tours are available at Ocala.oncell.com.
For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Cultural Arts Office at (352) 629-8447 or artinfo@ocalafl.org; or visit www.ocalafl.org/culturalarts.