110 SE Watula Avenue

Ocala, FL 34471

Ocala

Municipal Arts Commission

Minutes

www.ocalafl.gov

4:00 PM

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Call To Order

a. Roll Call

Emily Andrews

Jaye Baillie

Present:

Arnold Barbaro

Pedro "Tito" A. Comas

Jean Floten

Leslie Hammond

Natalie McComb

Greg Thompson

Absent:

Brooke Hutto

Darian Mosley

David Reutter

Excused:

Proof of Publication

The Public Notice for the Ocala Municipal Arts Commission was posted on July 30, 2025.

Approval of Minutes

June 4, 2025

OMAC Minutes - 6.4.25 Draft

APPROVED

Attachments:

RESULT:

MOVER:

Arnold Barbaro

SECONDER: Pedro "Tito" A. Comas

AYE:

Andrews, Baillie, Barbaro, Comas, Floten, Hammond and McComb

ABSENT:

EXCUSED:

Thompson

Hutto, Mosley and Reutter

Grants / Applications

Approve Public Education Foundation of Marion County Grant Application for $3,500

for the 2025 Ocala Film Derby Application

1. OMAC grant application_Ocala Film Derby

2. Ocala Film Derby 2025 Sponsorship booklet

Conflict of Interest - Pedro Comas

Attachments:

Cultural Arts Supervisor, Emily Parkman presented a grant application submitted by

Public Education Foundation of Marion County; they are requesting $3,500 for an

equipment pack to sponsor the 2025 Ocala Film Derby. The Ocala Film Derby, now in

its third year, is a five day immersive film making competition where eight teams of

students are paired with mentors to create short films. The requested funds would cover a

full set of industry standard equipment for one team, including cameras, sound, and

lighting gear.

Representatives from the Ocala Film Derby were invited to share additional details and

answer questions from the committee.

Mr. Pedros A. Comas recused himself from voting, he is a graphic artist and advertising

consultant for The Ocala Film Derby.

Motion to approve the Public Education of Marion County grant application in the

amount of $3,500.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Jean Floten

SECONDER: Emily Andrews

AYE:

Andrews, Baillie, Barbaro, Floten, Hammond and McComb

ABSENT:

RECUSED:

EXCUSED:

Thompson

Comas

Hutto, Mosley and Reutter

Approve Nehyssa Turenne Grant Application for $3,000 for her LEAP Through Dance

program

2. LEAP OMAC grant application

Attachments:

Ms. Parkman presented a grant application submitted by LEAP (Launching Equal Access

to the Performing Arts) Through Dance, a nonprofit founded by local dancer Nehyssa

Turenne. The requested fund is in the amount of $3,000. If awarded, the grant would

provide 5-6 free community youth dance workshops in under-served areas in Marion

County. These workshops are expected to reach more than 100 local children, providing

them with opportunities to learn dance, build confidence, and be mentored by a positive

role model.

Ms. Turenne and her mother Judith Carasco emphasized that the program was created to

give children the same opportunities Ms. Turenne had through dance programs. They

also noted that while the written request was for $3,000, the portion specifically tied to

the community workshops is $2,000.

The Ocala Municipal Arts Commission (OMAC) committee asked for clarification on

the program expenses.

Ms. Turenne explained that funds would not only support free workshops but could also

help provide students with dance wear, shoes, and basic supplies which often can be a

barrier for families.

OMAC Committee requested an updated budget that reflects the $2,000 requested rather

than the $3,000 listed in the application. They also clarified that grant funds cannot be

used for pageants or competition fees in alignment with City and State restrictions.

Ms. Turenne agreed to revise and resubmit the budget with eligible expenses focused

solely on the community dance outreach program.

Ms. Emily Andrews had to leave and excused herself for the remainder of the meeting.

Motion to table Nehyssa Turenne grant application for the LEAP Through Dance

program until the revised budget information has been provided.

RESULT:

MOVER:

TABLED

Jaye Baillie

SECONDER: Natalie McComb

AYE:

Baillie, Barbaro, Comas, Floten, Hammond and McComb

ABSENT:

EXCUSED:

Thompson

Andrews, Hutto, Mosley and Reutter

Project Updates

Review updates for approved Ocala Main Street vacant storefront mural program

Ms Parkman provided an update on the following project:

Ocala Main Street (OMS)

· Awarded $1,000 by OMAC on 12/4/2024 upon conditions of new timeline for

project.

· No FAFO grant funding, reconsidering locations and timeline.

· OMS investigating for additional funding.

· Possibly only building available for projects is the correctional building (24 NE

1st St.).

· Deadline for new timeline is August.

Other Business

Review current license plate grant fund and available funding for fiscal year 2025

1. Other Business - Current Grant Balance

Attachments:

Ms.Parkman reported that the License Plate Fund holds $11,385.72. Of this amount,

$1,000 has been allocated for Ocala Main Street, bringing the balance to $10,385.72. For

Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), only $4,400 is currently available to spend.

Approve to accession “Music on Broadway” to the City of Ocala’s permanent public art

collection

Accession Form - Music on Broadway

Music on Broadway1

Attachments:

Music on Broadway2

Completed Install_3

Conflict of Interest - Jaye Baille

Ms. Parkman provided an update on "Music on Broadway" art mural and is proposing

the accession of the mural.

Ms. Jayes Baillie recused herself from voting, she is a staff member for Brick City

Center for the Arts.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Natalie McComb

SECONDER: Leslie Hammond

AYE:

Barbaro, Comas, Floten, Hammond and McComb

ABSENT:

RECUSED:

EXCUSED:

Thompson

Baillie

Andrews, Hutto, Mosley and Reutter

Approve to accession “Double Helix” into the City’s permanent public art collection

Accession Form - Double Helix

Double helix_photo

Attachments:

Ms. Parkman provided an update on "Double Helix" outdoor art sculpture and is

proposing the accession to the City's permanent outdoor art collection.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Jean Floten

SECONDER: Leslie Hammond

AYE:

Baillie, Barbaro, Comas, Floten, Hammond and McComb

ABSENT:

EXCUSED:

Thompson

Andrews, Hutto, Mosley and Reutter

Review guidelines and process for OMAC’s role in the new East Ocala CRA mural grant

program

1. EO CRA Commercial Grant

Attachments:

2. Guidelines for Murals - EO CRA Commercial Grant

3. East CRA Application Attached - NWS 8th Ave, LLC on

7-28-2025_Part1

Ms. Parkman provided an overview on the East Ocala CRA Mural Grant Program:

· East Ocala CRA mural grant program approved on July 15.

· Public art projects using CRA funds will go through OMAC review process similar to

current Downtown Ocala art projects process.

· OMAC will review project proposal with relevant application/paperwork and design

submissions. OMAC will consider both artist and project.

· OMAC will provide recommendations not necessarily "approvals". OMAC will

recommend project "proceed pending" or OMAC "does not recommend".

· CRA funds dont reimburse for design fees; OMAC grant could assist with this cost

through the separate application process.

Approve revised Ocala Public Art Roster open call

1. Public Art Roster 2025 open call_edits

2. 2025-PAR-Application-Worksheet - WA

Attachments:

Ms. Parkman provided an update on the Ocala Public Art Roster Open Call for 2025.

She explained that the roster will serve as a resource for both open calls, where

nationally known artist can apply, and short list, which will allow the City to recommend

multiple artist for projects without a full open call. Ms. Parkman outlined a timeline and

process:

· Reapplication every 4-5 years, notify current artist of renewal to reapply

· Open calls every 2-3 years, informal rolling applications (biannually to assist with

CRA grants)

· Application Requirements

· Selection Process

· No rubric examples from other cities for selection process

· Selection Criteria: strength/skill/sucess of past artwork, experience, capability of

adhering to project timeline and budget, ability to engage site and community, unique

perspectives

· Open to the public January 2026 and run until the end of April 2026

· OMAC review applications starting June 2026

· Review revised open call PDF

Ms. Parkman also shared other city examples of the Artist Roster to provide the

committee with context and a basis for comparison.

The committee discussed making revisions to the Artist Roster application. It was agreed

that artists should provide 2-3 references and at least eight (8) artwork images. Also, the

artist is to reapply every five (5) years to keep their information current.

Motion to table the Ocala Public Art Roster open call until the revisions to the

application process are made.

RESULT:

MOVER:

TABLED

Jean Floten

SECONDER: Leslie Hammond

AYE:

Baillie, Barbaro, Comas, Floten, Hammond and McComb

ABSENT:

EXCUSED:

Thompson

Andrews, Hutto, Mosley and Reutter

Public Comments

None

Staff Comments

Approve next OMAC meeting location to Growth Management Training Room on

October 1, 2025

Staff Comments 1. OMAC meeting relocation

Attachments:

Ms. Parkman proposed the relocation of OMAC October 1, 2025 meeting to the Growth

Management Training Room at 201 SE 3rd St, 2nd FL, Ocala, FL 34471. Ms. Parkman

advised City Hall second floor will start renovations in September and it will impact all

meetings in the Council Chambers.

Motion to approve the relocation of OMAC October 1, 2025 meeting to the Growth

Management Training Room.

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Arnold Barbaro

SECONDER: Jean Floten

AYE:

Baillie, Barbaro, Comas, Floten, Hammond and McComb

ABSENT:

EXCUSED:

Thompson

Andrews, Hutto, Mosley and Reutter

Board Comments

None

10.

11.

Next Meeting: October 1, 2025

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 5:32 p.m.