110 SE Watula Avenue

Ocala, FL 34471

Ocala

Municipal Arts Commission

Minutes

www.ocalafl.gov

4:00 PM

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Call To Order

a. Roll Call

Arnold Barbaro

Pedro "Tito" A. Comas

Brooke Hutto

Present:

Natalie McComb

Darian Mosley

David Reutter

Greg Thompson

Emily Andrews

Jaye Baillie

Excused:

Jean Floten

Leslie Hammond

Proof of Publication

The Public Notice for the Ocala Municipal Arts Commission was posted on May 27, 2025.

Election of Officers

Chairman

The committee nominated Jay Baillie for Chairman.

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

APPROVED

MOVER:

Greg Thompson

SECONDER: Pedro "Tito" A. Comas

AYE:

Barbaro, Comas, Hutto, McComb, Mosley, Reutter and

Thompson

EXCUSED:

Andrews, Baillie, Floten and Hammond

Vice Chairman

The committee nominated Darian Mosley for Vice Chairman.

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote. The motion failed by the

following vote.

RESULT:

APPROVED

MOVER:

Brooke Hutto

SECONDER: Natalie McComb

AYE:

Barbaro, Comas, Hutto, McComb, Mosley, Reutter and

Thompson

EXCUSED:

Andrews, Baillie, Floten and Hammond

Approval of Minutes

April 2, 2025

OMAC 4.2.25 Mins Draft

Attachments:

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

David Reutter

SECONDER: Arnold Barbaro

AYE:

Barbaro, Comas, Hutto, McComb, Mosley, Reutter and Thompson

Andrews, Baillie, Floten and Hammond

EXCUSED:

Grants/Applications

Reilly Arts Center, Ocala Symphony Orchestra Scholarships, Grant Report

1. Ocala Symphony Grant Report-2025

Attachments:

Cultural Arts Supervisor Emily Parkman provided the final report for the Ocala

Symphony Orchestra Community Music Conservatory scholarship, funded by the fiscal

year 2024 Ocala Municipal Arts Commission (OMAC) grant. Ms. Parkman stated that

three students ages 6 years old to 17 years old received weekly one on one musical

instruction from professional musicians and educators affiliated with the Ocala

Symphony Orchestra. Each student received 20 lessons totaling 20 hours of instruction.

The $3,600 grant covered part of the $1,344 cost per student, with additional funding

from other sponsors. The OMAC Grant did not fully cover the scholarship costs, and

additional funding was provided by sponsors and donors.

Ocala Civic Theatre, The Academy West, Grant Report

Attachments:

Student Performance - James 1

Student Performance - James 2

Student Performance - James 3

Student Performance - James 4

Academy West - Class Breakdown

Grant Recipient Report 2025 fillable

Macabaret program front

Ms. Parkman gave an update on the Ocala Civic Theatre’s Academy West program

which was funded by a $2,500 OMAC grant. The program expanded theater classes to

the Mary C. Rich Community Center. The grant supported six classes and two

productions, Macabaret and James and the Giant Peach. A total of 15 artists, 11 teachers,

and 6 staff members provided 232 hours of instruction. There were 41 participants, ages

6 to 55+, including 24 adults and 17 youth. The grant helped cover teacher salaries and

production costs.

Ocala Main Street, Window Murals Grant Update

3. Ocala Main Street Grant Update

Attachments:

Ms. Parkman provided an update on the Ocala Main Street, Window Murals Grant

Update. OMAC awarded $1,000 to Ocala Main Street on December 4, 2024, contingent

on a revised timeline for vacant storefront activation. The project aims to feature murals

in vacant storefronts, but no additional funding has been secured. With current funds,

only one site may be activated, potentially involving multiple artists. Ocala Main Street

is exploring additional funding sources. A clearer update is expected at the August

OMAC 2025 meeting.

Project Updates

Levitt Amp Ocala MCA Awning Project Update

4. Project Update - MCA awning panels

Attachments:

Ms. Parkman shared information on The Levitt AMP Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA)

awning project which featured 10 painted panels by five commissioned artists, each

representing a music genre tied to the concert series. Artists included Arianna Leon Burt

(Mexican Folk, Reggae), George Tripp (New Americana, Punk Rock), Jordan Jones

(Funk, Gospel), Lillian Hart (Afro-Cuban Jazz, Blues), and Tracie Thompson (Country,

Venezuelan Joropo/Appalachian Folk). An artist meet and greet will be held on Friday,

July 11, 2025 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at MCA, and installation is scheduled for Monday,

July 14, 2025.

Other Business

Current OMAC Grant Balance 6.4.25

5. Other Business - Current Grant Balance

Attachments:

Ms. Parkman provided an update on the Current OMAC Grant Balance. The current

OMAC grant balance is $10,585.72, with $1,000 pending from the Ocala Main Street

grant, bringing the adjusted total to $9,585.72. While only $4,400 was budgeted for

additional grant distribution this year, up to $6,000 more can be awarded without

requiring Council approval.

Public Art Roster Open Call Proposal

6. Other Business - Public Art Roster 2025

Attachments:

Ms. Parkman discussed reopening the public artist roster in 2025 to include a wider

range of artists, such as muralists, sculptors, and local painters. The last call was in

2020, and there is interest in establishing a regular update schedule, possibly every few

years. A rolling application option for local artists was also proposed, with submissions

reviewed and approved by OMAC annually. Further discussion and a vote will be needed

before issuing the call and finalizing criteria.

Public Comments

N/A

Staff Comments

Ms. Parkman reported that the graphic designer is leaving, temporarily pausing OMAC projects.

The position has been posted, and the Public Information Officer will begin interviews soon.

Plans to promote OMAC are on hold until the position is filled. Discussion of future

promotional efforts, including potential printing in 2026, will resume later. Staff also noted

ongoing discussions about building a public art maintenance fund with the community

foundation.

10.

Board Comments

The Board discussed the various events being hosted by their organizations.

11.

12.

Next Meeting Date: August 6, 2025

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 5:31 p.m.