Tribute 25 up for grabs in raffle

Tribute 25, by Sharon Crute. The left side portrays four riderless horses. [Photo courtesy MCA]

The Horse Fever public art project has not only captured the hearts of people for a quarter of a century, it launched the formation of the Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA), which has since awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to local artists and organizations.

Horse Fever launched in 2000, followed by Horse Fever in Motion in 2005 and Horse Fever II in 2011. In those “herds,” the horses were sponsored by private donors and businesses and many remain on display all around the county. Horse Fever 20/20 marked the first time the public could buy a ticket for a chance to win one of the colorful steeds, all of which were painted in different themes by local artists.

Once again, members of the public have a chance to become an “owner” of a Horse Fever special edition equine statue named Tribute 25.

“As we celebrate 25 years of the Marion Cultural Alliance, we’re inviting the community to be part of a legacy that began with Horse Fever and continues to shape our community today. The Tribute 25 Raffle is more than a chance to win — it’s a chance to invest in the future of the arts in Ocala/Marion County,” MCA officials noted in a news release.

Individuals or businesses can purchase a raffle ticket and be entered to win the one-of-a-kind Tribute 25 horse, painted by noted artist Sharon Crute.

“With the theme of ‘transition,’ I wanted to represent the Horse Fever artwork literally by portraying the equine subject as the design. Depictions of narrative and symbols illustrate the creation of the Marion Cultural Alliance and the first ‘fever’ project of 25 years ago as a bold idea. Their ensuing efforts would strengthen the presence of various artistic genres, creating new ones and transitioning into the thriving art community Ocala is today,” Crute noted in her artist’s statement.

“My artwork begins with a nightscape: a full moon on top of the horse’s rump. The left side portrays four riderless horses. The horse below the moon hesitates in the dark, unsure of making an initial move and looking back over its shoulder for reassurance. The second horse stands alert, curiously attentive but cautious. The third horse bravely steps out and is inspired to follow the fourth horse as that horse rears up in joy and fearlessness. The light progresses throughout the horses from darkness into a sunrise of brilliant light,” Crute noted.

“The right side of the horse pictures a selection of four genres of horsemanship in Marion County. A thoroughbred walks to the track in the dark, representing speed and survival. The Western horse is a partnership in a working relationship. The dressage horse is about refinement and discipline transitioning into beauty and the fourth, a jumper, is fearlessness and successful,” she explained.

“Nestled in the dark hind legs are four nocturnal critters indigenous to Marion County — a raccoon, a skunk, an armadillo and a rat snake — who represents the transition from the year of the snake to the year of the horse,” Crute shared.

A portion of every raffle ticket for Tribute 25 will be donated to a local arts, cultural or equine nonprofit — and ticket purchasers get to choose which one.

Tickets may be purchased at the Brick City Center for the Arts at 23 S. Broadway St., in downtown Ocala, during regular gallery hours, which are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday. Tribute 25 will be on view in the gallery except when he is at events. The drawing will take place at 6 p.m. on Dec. 4.

To learn more and get raffle tickets, go to mcaocala.org/horse-fever-raffle