Explore Ocala’s Art Scene with Two New Exhibitions
Two new art exhibitions to open, exploring themes of healing and social justice
The City of Ocala is hosting two new art exhibitions that will feature unique perspectives and artistic expressions.
The city has announced the exhibition Spiky Truths, Sweet Solutions: Pineapples Allegories for Healing Justice by April Fitzpatrick has opened at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place. The pieces in this exhibition come from Fitzpatrick’s recent artist residency in South Carolina, and use color, textures, composition, and pineapple to create a piece that addresses the consequences and traumas of slavery as well as the stress caused by inequity and racial disparities within the healthcare system.
According to the city, Fitzpatrick says that she hopes the exhibition will help create a community that uses art as a catalyst for therapy, empathy, and awareness.
The exhibition Pineapples Allegories for Healing Justice will be available until Dec. 2 at the Reed Place location.
The city’s second exhibition, Paint Meets Dirt by Janas Smith Durkee, opened at the Ocala International Airport on July 3. The exhibition features 14 oil paintings that highlight both Indiana and Florida landscapes. Durkee has been inspired by Central Florida’s landscape since moving to Orlando, and describes the city as “harsh yet inviting.”
For more information about the two exhibitions, visit the City of Ocala website at https://www.ocalafl.gov/artincityspaces.