Sculpture contest winners announced

• Best of Show: “Impractical Hardware” by Harry McDaniel (Asheville, NC) [Photo courtesy city of Ocala]

The Biennial Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition, now in its seventh year, featured artists from across North America. A selection jury, comprised of local community and art organization representatives, selected 10 sculptures to advance in the competition and be on display at Tuscawilla Park and the Tuscawilla Art Park for a 22-month exhibit.

The event is hosted in partnership with the Appleton Museum of Art and the city of Ocala. The city on Feb. 24 hosted the Tuscawilla Sculpture Stroll and on Feb. 27 announced the winners of the competition. They are:

• Best of Show: “Impractical Hardware” by Harry McDaniel (Asheville, NC)
• Second Place: “Dalband Satellite Flower” by Richard Herzog (Athens, GA)
• Honorable Mention: “Beckon” by Jeffrey Repko (Atlanta, GA)
• People’s Choice Award: “Fernando” by Lee Bell (Sarasota, FL)

The other artists and sculptures are:

• Hanna Jubran, Grimesland, NC, “Double Helix”
• Michael O’Khaen, Miami, FL, “Flamingo”
• Roberto Perez Crespo, Hialeah, FL, “Pollination”
• Kirk Seese, Lutherville Timonium, MD, “The Feathers Three”
• Laurie Sheridan, Port Ewen, NY, “Fecund Pod”
• Jamie Weinfurter, Iowa City, IA, “Amalgamation”

An educational scavenger hunt brochure for the new sculpture exhibit is now available.

“The scavenger hunt provides a fun, family activity that encourages guests of all ages to take a closer look at each sculpture. The public is invited to participate in the scavenger hunt during daylight hours at Tuscawilla Park. Participants can exchange a completed brochure for free family admission to the Appleton Museum (up to two adults and three children),” noted a city news release.

Brochures are available at

• Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave.
• Marion Cultural Alliance, 23 SW Broadway St.
• Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd.
• Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau, 109 W Silver Springs Blvd.

For more information, call the city’s Cultural Arts Office at (352) 629-8379.

People’s Choice Award: “Fernando” by Lee Bell (Sarasota, FL) [Photo courtesy city of Ocala]