Hear Us Roar III
Collaborative fundraiser features performances and art created by clients of The Arc of Marion in partnership with Arts in Health Ocala Metro practitioners.
Clients with The ARC of Marion perform on stage during Hear Us Roar III at the Ocala Civic Theatre in Ocala, Fla. on Friday, June 12, 2026. The event was a collaborative fundraiser for Arts in Health Ocala Metro and The ARC of Marion. It featured a sing-along style performance where clients from The ARC of Marion took the stage alongside AIHOM musicians Becky Baby, David Reinwald and Brandon Dull. Original paintings created by ARC artists during workshops led by AIHOM artist practitioner Christopher Hershberger were also available for purchase. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
Behind the scenes at the Ocala Civic Theatre, also known as The Civic, on June 12 was a beehive of activity as performers warmed up for their star turn on stage.
The unique annual collaborative fundraiser known as Hear Us Roar pairs clients from The Arc of Marion with practitioners from Arts in Health Ocala Metro. The event offers sing-along style performances as well as the sales of artworks created through the partnership.
Hear Us Roar III, which had an added element of dance, attracted a large audience, with several members posting on social media afterwards, such as Carole Savage-Hagans.
“Inspiring doesn’t even begin to describe how touching tonight’s Hear Me Roar show was at the Ocala Civic Theatre. Presented by Art in Health Ocala Marlon, a full stage of The Arc of Marion clients sang and danced and gave a packed house an incredible evening of music. Prior to the show, several were also painting very cool pieces, all of which were up for sale. Kudos to the artists who have worked with the amazing Arc representatives for months to present tonight’s performances, and all the respect to those who were brave enough to be on stage and make their voices heard. We laughed and sang and danced, and, at times, I felt the tears. A bonus was seeing some friends I haven’t seen in a while and sharing in the support of this event. Well, well done AIHOM, Arc of Marion and the Ocala Civic Theatre,” she wrote.
Rhonda Kincaid, community coordinator for The Arc of Marion, said of the partnerships, “I believe nonprofits are the heart and soul of our community.”
AIHOM Executive Director Patricia Tomlinson shared some thoughts with the “Gazette” post-event via email.
“AIHOM’s collaboration with the Arc of Marion is one of our oldest and dearest. We began music workshops with The Arc clients in early 2023 and our work has expanded to weekly painting and then dance workshops as well. Our arts interventions with clients show an increase in self-esteem, autonomy and fine motor skills, and allow those with intellectual and physical disabilities to express themselves nonverbally,” she wrote.
“The first Hear us Roar took place in the summer of 2024. The Arc expressed interest in creating a ‘talent show’ for the clients alongside our musicians. I thought, ‘Why not expand this into a fundraiser to continue our work with the clients?’ I approached our friends at the Ocala Civic Theatre, and they graciously allowed us to hold the event there. Family and friends got to see their loved ones singing on stage, treated as arts professionals, alongside AIHOM’s music arts practitioners. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” Tomlinson shared.
“The wonderful paintings created in workshops by our painting artist practitioner were also for sale, and we sold out that first year. Since 2024, the performance has grown to include solos by The Arc clients and this year we incorporated dancing into the event as well. While the clients are singing, we also have the words to the songs on screen so the audience can participate too, turning it into a joyous, family-friendly singalong. We had a full house this year and we are so grateful,” Tomlinson continued.
She also noted that Hear Us Roar III featured a silent auction painting with the theme of “We Are The World” created by AIHOM’s artist practitioner, Christopher Hershberger, and The Arc clients.
“The funds raised from Hear Us Roar II will allow AIHOM to continue arts programming at The Arc of Marion. We honor our artists’ training and experience, and we pay them for their time and talent. We have four different artists working with the clients at The Arc, as well as the art supplies. The monies raised allows us to continue to help the clients with their fine motor skills, raise their self-esteem, create a sense of purpose and excitement, and aid overall well-being,” Tomlinson explained.
And, according to Tomlinson, the partners of AIHOM, The Arc and The Civic also have collaborated with some students who participate in the Ocala Film Derby.
“They have been filming Hear Us Roar III both behind the scenes and the night of the performance in order to create a short film that they will screen on Sept. 27 during this year’s Film Derby. In addition, the students plan to enroll this film in a national competition,” Tomlinson shared.
To learn more, visit aihocala.org, arcmarion.org and thecivic.org
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