A 9-foot-tall, 440-pound avian sculpture that was only supposed to be passing through Tuscawilla Park is now set to make Ocala its permanent home.
The Ocala City Council will accept the new sculpture from Miami-based artist Michael O’Khaen during its next meeting on Tuesday, January 6.
The “Flamingo,” which is a massive, mixed-media sculpture officially titled “P. Ruber’s Story,” was originally installed as part of the Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition. That biennial event launched in 2012 to breathe new life into the area under the “Operation Tuscawilla” master plan.
While the installations for that event are typically temporary, destined to rotate out after their two-year exhibition, O’Khaen recently offered to gift the $9,500 piece to the city rather than remove it.
On Dec. 3, 2025, the Ocala Municipal Arts Commission voted to recommend accepting the donation, which will mark the first work by O’Khaen to enter the city’s permanent public art collection.
Despite its delicate appearance and glossy “Coral” finish, the artwork is built to withstand the elements. Constructed from a durable blend of wood, foam, fiberglass, and resin, the sculpture is designed to handle “regular Florida weather” for years to come.
City staff cited this resilience as a key factor in the decision, noting that the bird is cheap to keep; maintenance costs are estimated at just $100 annually, paid for by the Growth Management Department, to cover a yearly coat of marine-grade epoxy.
The council is expected to formally accept the donation and transfer the artwork into the city’s self-insurance program at its next meeting.
The Ocala City Council next meets at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, at Ocala City Hall (110 SE Watula Avenue).
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