Call to Artists: 2025 Student and Emerging Artists Competition 'Techne'

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 1, 2025) - The City of Ocala, in partnership with Fine Arts For Ocala (FAFO), invites Marion County artists with up to six years of experience to submit entries for the 2025 Student and Emerging Artist Competition "Techne." The exhibition will be on display Wednesday, Dec. 3, through Monday, March 9, 2026, at Ocala's City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave.

Artist may enter one original piece completed within the past two years. Participants will compete in three divisions:

• High school students
• One to three years of active experience
• Four to six years of active experience

A jury will select winners in each division, along with a Best of Show. Awards will be presented at a reception Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Awards Include:

• Scholarships to the College of Central Florida (High School Division)
• $1,000 Best of Show prize from FAFO
• Best of Show feature in the Ocala Gazette
• Best of Show free class at Picasso's Palette
• $150 gift certificate for Chelsea Arts Center (First Place, One to Three Years Division)
• Professional art framing from Cartigliano Arts (First Place, Four to Six Years Division)
• Free class at Painting with a Twist (All first-place winners)
• Annual memberships to the Appleton Museum of Art and Marion Cultural Alliance (All Winners)
• Waived registration free for the 2025-2026 or 2026-2027 First Friday Art Walk season (All Winners)

Entry Information:

Each entry must include an exhibit agreement form, artist statement, and a high-resolution photograph of the artwork (.jpg file, at least 1900 pixels wide). Submissions are due no later than Monday, Nov. 10, at 11:59 p.m.

Applications are available at https://www.ocalafl.gov/seaexhibit. Completed entries may be submitted online, emailed to [email protected], or mailed to:

City of Ocala Cultural Arts
201 SE Third St., Second Floor
Ocala, FL 34471

Calendar of Events:

• Monday, Nov. 10, 11:59 p.m.: Entry Submission Deadline
• Wednesday, Dec. 3, 3:30 - 6 p.m.: Artwork drop-off at City Hall
• Thursday, Dec. 4: Exhibition opens to the public
• Tuesday, Jan. 13, 5:30 - 7 p.m.: Opening reception and awards ceremony
• Monday, March 9: Exhibition closes
  • 3:30 - 5 p.m.: Artwork pick-up

This event is sponsored by the City of Ocala, Fine Arts For Ocala, Appleton Museum of Art, Cartigliano Arts, College of Central Florida, Marion Cultural Alliance, the Ocala Gazette, Painting with a Twist and Picasso's Palette.

For more information, contact the City of Ocala Cultural Arts Division at 352-629-8447 or visit https://www.ocalafl.gov/seaexhibit.

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