The winners of the ‘Content of Character’ Student and Emerging Artist awards were announced on Tuesday, May 24 during the opening artist reception.
The reception was hosted by the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department and Cultural Arts and Sciences Division, in partnership with Magnolia Art Xchange. Since 2016, the awards have been presented annually to local student and emerging artists.
Below is a list of this year’s winners:
High School Category
- First Place: “Repression” by Taylor Heflin.
- Second Place: “Glass Frog” by Jasmine Torres.
- Third Place: “Sometimes We Live No Particular Way But Our Own” by Trudie Bergmark.
One to Five Years Active Experience Category
- First Place: “Lemon Head” Jade Wagoner.
- Second Place: “NEVER Let the Truth ruin a good story” by DJ Reynolds.
- Third Place: “Mending Elements” by Courtney Kravig-McGuire.
Six to Ten Years Active Experience Category
- First Place: “Stained Glass Path” by Jennifer Moore.
- Second Place: “No Fortunate Son” by Leslie Lopez.
- Third Place: “Wild and Free” by Walter Israel.
Best in Show
- “Intertwine” by Alex Estrada.
The prizes for the competition include scholarships to the College of Central Florida (High School Division), a professional artwork scan (first place in each division and Best of Show), an annual membership to the Appleton Museum of Art and Marion Cultural Alliance, and a registration fee waiver for the 2022-23 season of the First Friday Art Walk (all winners).
All artwork that was created by this year’s student and emerging artists will remain on display through Friday, July 15 at Ocala City Hall (110 SE Watula Avenue). The exhibit is free and open to the public.
For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Cultural Arts office via phone (352-629-8447) or email (artinfo@ocalafl.org), or visit the City of Ocala Cultural Arts webpage.