OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Art lovers gathered under sunny skies on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, to celebrate the winners of the eighth biennial Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition during a free, family-friendly event held at Tuscawilla Park and the Tuscawilla Art Park.

The celebration, part of the Tuscawilla Art Park Series, marked the installation of 10 new large-scale sculptures that now call the park home. The full event ran from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring live entertainment, arts and craft vendors, games and a variety of food options. A VIP tour was held from 2 to 5 p.m., offering guests an in-depth look at the artwork and an opportunity to meet the artists and discuss the pieces.

Live performances throughout the day included Hot Club SRQ, Safia, Speak-EZ and a featured ballet performance by Coeur Ballet Company. VIP guests were treated to a special performance by the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, along with food and beverages–both non-alcoholic and alcoholic–and sweet treats by Barefoot Baker. Cocktails included margaritas, mojitos, punch and martinis.

VIP tours, led by Terry LeCompte and Elizabeth DeClark, guided attendees through the newly installed works and shared insight into the artists and processes. Artists Gus and Lina Ocamposilva, creators of the sculpture titled “Mr. Rings,” were present for a Q&A session with VIP guests.

This year’s competition brought together artists from across the country, working in materials ranging from bronze to Corten steel, an alloy that develops a weathered rust-like patina.

The 2026-2027 installations include:

“Vansanzio ‘Troy'” by Steven Buduo of Clayton, Missouri, crafted from powder-coated steel.

A red statue stands in the middle of grass field in front of a tennis court.
Vansanzio “Troy” by Steven Buduo was the first stop during the Tuscawilla Sculpture Stroll on Feb. 21, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

“Red Queen” by Russell Whiting of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, carved from steel and awarded Best in Show.

A statue of a woman stands in a park with a lake in the background as guests stand around it to observe and share their thoughts on the piece.
Red Queen by Russel Whiting made guests wonder what she could be walking to at the Tuscawilla Sculpture Stroll on Feb. 21, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

“Riverbank IV” by Kyle Van Lusk of Brevard, North Carolina, made of Corten steel and cast aluminum, earning second place.

A sculpture of stands in the middle of a park with guests walking toward it on a sidewalk and trees surrounding it.
Riverbank IV by Kyle Van Luskthe made guests wonder about the connection between the sculpture and rocks found by water at the Tuscawilla Sculpture Stroll on Feb. 21, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

“Ethereal Trinity” by Lawrence Feir of Greensboro, North Carolina, constructed of stainless steel.

An equilateral sculpture made to represent trinity stands on a patch of grass in front of a lake.
Ethereal Trinity by Lawrence Feir featured a spinning top with guests sharing their thoughts on what trinity could mean at the Tuscawilla Sculpture Stroll on Feb. 21, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

“Fully Realized” by Jack Howard-Potter of New York, New York, created from galvanized steel and powder-coated steel, which received both Honorable Mention and the People’s Choice award during the event.

A large sculpture of a woman with wings making her way upward stands in a park with people and trees surrounding with a lake in the background.
The captivating Fully Realized sculpture by Jack Howard-Potter won people’s choice and an honorable mention at the Tuscawilla Sculpture Stroll on Feb. 21, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

“LOUD!” by Kevin Vanek of Greensboro, North Carolina, made of welded steel and cast iron.

A colorful sculpture of a lamp-shaped object with a mouth where the light would be stands in a park in front of a lake. The sculpture features every color of the rainbow in order starting from the base and ending just before the large, red mouth.
LOUD! by Kevin Vanek evoked long discussions about the interpretation of the piece amongst guests during the Tuscawilla Sculpture Stroll on Feb. 21, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

“Fenestra” by Sam Spiczka of Apex, North Carolina, constructed of Cor-ten steel.

A statue made of Corten steel stands in a park with a lake and tree in the background. A water tower is visible from the hollow center of the piece.
Fenestra by Sam Spiczka features elements resembling bones, fascinating guests at the Tuscawilla Sculpture Stroll on Feb. 21, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

“Rosa Parks Stepping Into Equality” by Julia Knights of Decatur, Georgia, made of bronze.

A sculpture of Rosa Parks climbing a step stand in an art park with other art displays in the background.
Rosa Parks Stepping Into Equality by Julia Knight made guests stop to wonder during the Tuscawilla Sculpture Stroll tour. Guests discussed about what she could have felt on the day she stepped onto the bus from her facial expressions to her hand gestures.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

“Tension” by Eugene Perry of West Palm Beach, Florida, made of stainless steel.

A metal statue with a swirl design reflects the scenery of a lake and greenery around it. Guests admire the stature.
Tension, created by Eugene Perry, reflects the scenery of Tuscawilla, catching the eyes of guests during the Sculpture Stroll on Feb. 21, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo

“Mr. Rings” by Gus and Lina Ocamposilva of Clearwater, Florida, crafted from aluminum.

A sculpture features a tall, red chair with a smaller, red chair on top of it, slightly leaning, and butterfly covering the chairs. A yellow and red silhouette of an acrobat balancing on a unicycle while juggling rings with butterflies laying gently on the acrobat. Tree stand high above it in the background.
Artistic couple, Gus and Lina Ocamposilva, created the breathtaking Mr. Rings sculpture, standing high above onlookers during the Tuscawilla Sculpture Stroll on Feb. 21, 2026.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

The sculptures were selected by a committee of local arts and community leaders, including representatives from the Marion Cultural Alliance, Ocala Municipal Arts Commission, College of Central Florida and the Appleton Museum of Art, Magnolia Art Xchange, Ocala Main Street, Belleview Chamber & Economic Partnership, the Ocala Civic Theatre and other civic organizations. An awards committee comprised of local media and community outreach leaders determined the competition honors.

“Cultural arts are essential to the community’s long-term growth, economic development and identity,” read an announcement from the City of Ocala Cultural Arts department, emphasizing the broader impact of public art. “The City of Ocala Cultural Arts’ mission is to provide an outlet for lifelong learning, enliven public spaces and instill community pride.”

The outdoor sculpture competition, held every two years, continues to position Ocala as a growing destination for public art in Central Florida, transforming everyday green space into an open-air gallery.

The next event in the Tuscawilla Art Park Series will be the Literary & Poetry Festival on Apr. 11, inviting the community back to celebrate creativity in another form–this time through the written and spoken word.