OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The City of Ocala Cultural Arts Division invites sculptors from across the United States to submit entries for the Eighth Biennial Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition. This juried, two-year exhibition offers artists a unique opportunity to showcase their work in one of Ocala’s most visited public spaces, Tuscawilla Park and the adjacent Art Park.

Up to ten sculptures will be selected for display from January 2026 through January 2028. Selected artists will each receive a $4,000 honorarium to support transportation and installation of their work. The City of Ocala will provide concrete pads, limited installation assistance, and insurance coverage for installed pieces up to $15,000 or the artwork’s stated value, whichever is less.

The exhibition will be celebrated at the Tuscawilla Sculpture Stroll on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Juried awards will include Best in Show ($2,000), Second Place ($1,000), and Honorable Mention ($500). Event attendees will also vote for the $1,000 People’s Choice Award.

Eligible applicants must be U.S. residents (excluding Alaska and Hawaii), age 18 or older. Submitted sculptures must be completed after 2020, structurally sound, maintenance-free, and able to endure Florida’s subtropical climate for two years. Delivery and retrieval must be made in person by the artist or their representative.

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Each artist may submit up to three sculptures for consideration. Application materials must include at least three high-quality images per work, an artist resume, a statement specific to the submitted work, and artwork details including title, medium, dimensions, weight, and value.

All applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. PT on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. Notification of acceptance will be made by Oct. 13, 2025. Installation will take place Jan. 12-21, 2026, with deinstallation scheduled for Jan. 31-Feb. 4, 2028.

For full submission guidelines and to apply, visit ocalafl.gov/sculpture. For more information, contact the City of Ocala’s Cultural Arts Division at 352-629-8447 or artinfo@ocalafl.gov.

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