OCALA, FL (352today.com) – They’re more than just paintings on buildings — Ocala’s murals are visual narratives that showcase the community’s rich history and cultural identity.

Nearly 50 murals and more than 40 sculptures are either owned by the City of Ocala or maintained under long-term arrangements, making them lasting parts of the city’s public art landscape.

The first mural in the city’s collection dates back to 2005: the Black History of West Ocala mural. Created by the College of Central Florida, it’s located at Webb Field near the Hampton Center and commemorates the legacy of West Ocala. The mural was revitalized in 2016.

A white church with a gray steeple and blue windows, with a blue sky in the background, with white birds and green trees to the right of the church.
Six men in suits standing in front of brick wall, on top of a gray floor, with their names underneath them.
Two men standing behind a white building in front of a blue background.
Three women are depicted with their names features on red ribbons underneath their images, with the one on the lower left, having writing on a chalkboard to her left, and the women at mid-right, having a blue bos with writing below her image, with a building to her right, with, doves flying against a white background.
The Black History of West Ocala mural, created in 2005 by the College of Central Florida, honors the legacy of West Ocala. It is located at Webb Field near the Hampton Center. Courtesy: Ben Baugh/352today

The city’s first official cultural arts mural, The S-Curve by Mel Fiorentino, no longer exists. It once adorned the Stone Petroleum Building. In 2015, three locations were chosen for new murals, including the Downtown S-Curve Mural site.

“This was the time when they had the Feel Downtown Movement to try to revitalize and reinvigorate downtown, get a new image, bring people to downtown, and get people invested,” said Emily Parkman, City of Ocala cultural arts coordinator. “It was a really big push to revitalize downtown Ocala. The original goal was to install murals of interest to residents and visitors of downtown Ocala that supports historic downtown, with an emphasis on an active merchant and entertainment concept.”

Murals and sculptures in Ocala represent a mix of commissioned, received, and acquired works from local, state, regional, and national artists.

“We love having community input about our murals, other artwork the community would like to see, potential locations as to where they might be able to focus on, because having public art like murals is not just about beautification of a place,” said Parkman. “Public art really increases the quality of life as well as economic development and drivers within a community. It can install public pride and community pride in their neighborhood which is essential in where you’re living.”

Themes have varied, with one of the newest being Marion Flow by Christian Stanley — a mural on the downtown water tank. The theme was chosen in collaboration with the city’s partners.

A fish in motion against a blue background.
A small mammal swimming in the blue water.
Two deer standing in front of a blue background, water.
Large mammals swimming against a backdrop of blue water.
Marion Flow by Christian Stanley is one of Ocala’s newest murals, wrapping the downtown water tank with vibrant imagery inspired by the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Courtesy: Ben Baugh/352today

“We have the Florida Corridor Wildlife Foundation, Fine Arts for Ocala, and Ocala Main Street,” said Parkman. “The city is working on signage and uplighting for the mural. All four of us came together because this is part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The theme had to be Marion County flora and fauna that is native.”

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