Towering flamingo finds a forever home at Tuscawilla Park

Tuscawilla Park has a new permanent resident, a 9-foot-tall, 440-pound artwork that is settling in at the pond along Watula Avenue, thanks to a donation to the city by a noted environmentally focused artist.

The Ocala City Council on Jan. 6 accepted the $9,500 sculpture “P. Ruber’s Story: Flamingo,” created by Miami-based French artist Michael O’Khaen, for permanent display in the city’s public art collection at Tuscawilla Park.

O’Khaen “has a background in both science and art” and “is acclaimed for his environmental and ecologically focused work,” according to Ocala Communications Coordinator Darling Hill. O’Khaen utilizes wood in all his projects to highlight natural and sustainable materials for outdoor public art. The piece is made of wood, foam, fiberglass, resin and metal.

Hill said the work was originally one of 10 sculptures selected for a temporary two-year display in Tuscawilla Park and the Art Park as part of the Seventh Biennial Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition. When the sculpture’s term ended, O’Khaen offered to donate it to become a permanent part of Ocala’s public art collection.

According to Hill, O’Khaen drew inspiration from the American Flamingo during the fabrication and naming of the sculpture.

“With concerns about Florida’s biodiversity, O’Khaen turns this Florida cultural icon into a playful tool to raise awareness of wildlife preservation,” Hill said.

“O’Khaen’s donation assists in diversifying the city’s permanent collection by adding a new artist, style and varied media with minimal long-term maintenance. The sculpture itself cultivates awareness about wildlife preservation throughout Florida as well as locally, especially with the Ocala National Forest and Silver Springs in our community’s backyard,” Hill added.

Hill explained how O’Khaen’s piece aligns with the city’s public art goals.

“The city’s Public Art Policy Statement and Guidelines were adopted by city council in 2021, including the city’s donation policy as part of the 10-year Community Cultural Arts Plan. As part of the overall Public Art Program, staff reviews and considers the following when approached with a donation: Quality and appropriateness of artwork in form and realization, durability of artwork and maintenance requirements and resources for permanent display, appropriate site availability in public locations, any community support and interest, any support of coordination of fabrication, installation, promotion and maintenance of artwork and any financial contributions for fabrication/installation/conservation,” Hill said.

“Ultimately, donated artwork should have artistic merit while augmenting and diversifying the city’s overall collection,” she continued.

The big bird already was on display at Tuscawilla Park. Upon approval of the donation, staff moved the sculpture to its new permanent location in the park. The site is in a shaded area close to water, mirroring the sculpture’s real-life counterpart, which, according to Hill, will reduce UV-induced degradation of the sculpture, thereby minimizing maintenance and conservation costs.

Hill said the sculpture requires an annual fresh coat of marine-grade epoxy resin as per the artist’s provided artwork maintenance sheet.

“Projected annual maintenance costs are minimal with a possible maximum of up to $100 per year. This is already considered within the annual Cultural Arts fiscal year budget,” Hill said.

The donation proposal was reviewed by the Ocala Municipal Arts Commission on Dec. 3, 2025, which recommended acceptance.

For artists interested in opportunities, Hill said Ocala Cultural Arts offers programs such as Art in City Spaces, the Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition and the Public Artist Roster, along with one-time open calls for art for site-specific projects. Opportunities are posted on the city’s website and Instagram @ocalaculturalarts.

To learn more, go to ocalafl.gov/public-art