The state and county are offering two local artists a chance to earn $7,500, all-inclusive honorariums to create a lobby installation or a “Horse Fever” fiberglass sculpture for display at the new Florida Department of Transportation building in Ocala.
Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) is partnering with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to launch a new public art commission for the upcoming FDOT Ocala Operations Center.
The call for proposals, which is part of Florida’s Art in State Buildings Program, is currently seeking professional artists from across Florida to submit original concept designs for two distinct installations at the new facility, which is located at 627 NW 30th Avenue in Ocala.
Established in 1979, the Art in State Buildings Program requires that a portion of state building construction appropriations be used to acquire permanent artwork for public display.
For the Ocala project, two separate opportunities are available, each offering a $7,500 all-inclusive honorarium for the selected artist.
The first opportunity involves an interior lobby installation. Artists are asked to design a site-specific piece for a designated wall and ceiling area, which can include wall-mounted, suspended, or mixed-media works.
The second opportunity is for a life-size “Horse Fever” fiberglass sculpture to be installed as an exterior signature landmark. For this sculpture, MCA will provide the horse form, and the selected artist will be responsible for the surface design and treatment.
Proposed designs are encouraged to explore themes relevant to the local community, including Ocala’s status as the “Horse Capital of the World,” the historical evolution of transportation, and Florida’s natural environment. Interpretations can range from representational to abstract and contemporary styles.
The competition is open to professional visual artists and artist teams in Florida who are at least 18 years old. Submissions must include specific concept proposals and renderings using official templates provided by MCA. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.
The selection process will be conducted by a public art selection panel throughout late May, with final artist selections announced on June 1, 2026.
Following a fabrication period through the summer, the art is tentatively scheduled for installation in late August or early September.
Artists interested in more information or wishing to submit a proposal can contact MCA Executive Director Jaye Baillie at [email protected].
To read the complete rules, or to apply, visit the Call for Artists webpage.
What kind of public art would you like to see representing Ocala’s heritage at the new DOT facility? Share your thoughts in a comment below or, if you have more to say on the topic, write a letter to the editor.