OCALA, FL (352today.com) – It’s no longer a secret: Ocala’s water storage tank is getting a fresh look.

The City of Ocala’s Economic Development and Cultural Arts Division has unveiled a new mural, designed by a local artist, which will bring wildlife imagery to the city. For Christian and Jessica Stanley, there’s no place like home, as the artists with local ties were selected to paint the new mural.

Artists Christian Stanley and his wife Jessica Stanley speak during the announcement of the downtown water tank mural during FAFO Ocala Arts Festival Downtown Ocala on Saturday, October 26, 2024. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Artists’ renderings of the new design are shown during the announcement of the downtown water tank mural during FAFO Ocala Arts Festival Downtown Ocala More than 140 artists and entertainers filled downtown. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
More than 140 artists and entertains filled downtown and attracted an expected 25,000 people over the weekend event. Along with fine artists, there were street performers and delicious food trucks. The annual event raises money for Fine Arts for Ocala. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Artist Christian Stanley talks about the design during the announcement of the downtown water tank mural during FAFO Ocala Arts Festival Downtown Ocala, FL on Saturday, October 26, 2024. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today

Ocala City Council President Barry Mansfield shared his enthusiasm, saying, “I think it goes all the way down to the heart of the city. We encourage the artists, and we encourage everybody to be involved with the city, we’re not just a bunch of buildings. We have a life, and we have a soul, and this is the life and soul, and you see a beautiful piece of art. We are the prettiest city in Florida.”

Jessica Stanley of C. Stanley Creative said she used to drive by the storage water tank as part of her daily routine and is excited about being able to contribute to the public art scene in Ocala. Both she and Christian’s families live in Ocala, and the Stanleys are in love with the wildlife of the Ocala National Forest, which served as the inspiration for the mural design. Christian asked for Jessica’s hand in marriage in the Ocala National Forest at Juniper Springs, so the fabric of the area’s being is deeply woven into their souls.

Christian has previous experience painting similar projects, but this tank will be unique, wrapping 360 degrees with detailed wildlife imagery. He said that the mural will feature eight or nine animals will be really well-detailed. The Stanleys mentioned that several people sending the Stanleys the art call, thinking they would be a great fit based on their love of Florida wildlife and the surrounding environment.

“The springs are close to our heart,” said Christian Stanley. “Even just driving through the area more recently, I had mentioned to Jessica, I would love to paint a tank like that. Coincidentally, this will be our fourth tank this year, but it’s the only one that goes 360 degrees around, which I really wanted to do on the other ones.” Christian explained that he wanted the symmetry and flow to alternate between aquatic and land scenes, creating natural habitats for each animal across the mural adding, “I think it will look great in this location.”

The project was made possible through partnerships with organizations including FAFO, the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, and Ocala Main Street.

“This is a big canvas, one of the biggest murals we’ve done so far,” said Mallory Dimmitt, Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation CEO. “It gives the opportunity to highlight a lot of species of wildlife and also the environment in which they live. We hope that inspires people to want to keep that protected for the long run as part of Florida’s incredible way of life.”