110 SE Watula Avenue  
Ocala, FL 34471  
Ocala  
Municipal Arts Commission  
Minutes  
www.ocalafl.gov  
4:00 PM  
Wednesday, December 3, 2025  
1.  
Call To Order  
a. Roll Call  
Emily Andrews  
Arnold Barbaro  
Pedro "Tito" A. Comas  
Jean Floten  
Present:  
Leslie Hammond  
Natalie McComb  
Darian Mosley  
David Reutter  
Greg Thompson  
Jaye Baillie  
Excused:  
Brooke Hutto  
2.  
3.  
Proof of Publication  
The Public Notice for the Ocala Municipal Arts Commission was posted on November 21, 2025.  
Approval of Minutes  
October 1, 2025  
a.  
OMAC 10.1.25 Minutes - Draft  
APPROVED  
Attachments:  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Emily Andrews  
SECONDER: Arnold Barbaro  
AYE:  
Andrews, Barbaro, Comas, Floten, Hammond, McComb, Mosley,  
Reutter and Thompson  
EXCUSED:  
Baillie and Hutto  
4.  
Grants / Applications  
Approve 2025 MAX utility box mural grant application for $2,000  
a.  
OMAC Grant Application  
Attachments:  
Proposals Electrical Control Box Mural Project  
IRS Letter of Determination - MAX TAX EXEMPT  
Darian Mosley- Agenda Item 2026-0325  
Pedro Comas - Agenda Item 2026-0325  
Cultural Arts Manager Emily Parkman reviewed the grant application submitted by  
Magnolia Art Exchange (MAX) on November 17, 2025. The request is for $2,000 to  
fund a mural project on electrical control boxes in Downtown Ocala. The project will  
involve local artists, educational workshops, and aims to enhance the cultural identity of  
the area. Ocala Electric Utility owns the boxes and has approved the project with the  
condition of final design approval and 2 years of maintenance after installation. The  
timeline for completion is 12 months.  
Executive Administrator of Magnolia Art Exchange, Jessie Gillis , presented details of  
the proposed mural project involving four electrical boxes in Downtown Ocala. The  
project will utilize the existing MAX artist community, which currently includes 6  
resident artists and 8 to 14 affiliate artists, with plans to expand participation. A call for  
art will be issued in January 2026, and proposals will be reviewed internally by MAX  
before final approval by Ocala Electric Utility. The utility has stipulated design approval  
and recommended thermal-resistant paint for durability. The timeline for completion is  
within 12 months, and Ocala Electric will provide maintenance for 2 years. The murals  
will primarily cover larger boxes, and designs will be left to the discretion of the artists.  
The project aims to enhance downtown aesthetics, promote local artists, and encourage  
community engagement.  
The Ocala Municipal Arts Commission (OMAC) committee and Jessie Gillis held a  
discussion which included sustainability, maintenance, and opportunities for public  
awareness through plaques and QR codes linking to project information.  
Mr. Pedro A Comas recused himself from voting, he is a member of the Max Board of  
Directors.  
Ms. Darian Mosley rescused herself from voting, she is the President of the Max Board  
of Directors.  
Motion to approve 2025 Max utility box mural grant application in the amount of  
$2,000.00  
RESULT:  
APPROVED  
MOVER:  
Natalie McComb  
SECONDER: Greg Thompson  
AYE:  
Andrews, Barbaro, Floten, Hammond, McComb, Reutter and  
Thompson  
RECUSED:  
EXCUSED:  
Comas and Mosley  
Baillie and Hutto  
5.  
Project Updates  
Review of Ocala Film Derby final report  
a.  
OMAC OFD Final Report  
Ocala Film Derby letter  
Ocala Film Derby timeline  
Attachments:  
Ms. Parkman provided an overview of the Ocala Film Derby final report. OMAC  
awarded the Public Education Foundation of Marion County a $3,500 grant for the 2025  
Ocala Film Derby, held June 13, 2025. The funding was used to provide film  
industry-specific equipment to 1 of 8 student film teams participating in the Derby. This  
was the 3 year of the event, which included hands-on workshops, professional talks,  
mentorship, and a real-world film challenge culminating in an official screening before a  
live audience. The foundation submitted its final report on October 29, 2025, confirming  
that funds were utilized as outlined in the grant application. The Film Derby took place  
September 24-28, with the awards ceremony and screenings held at the Marion Theater  
on September 28, 2025. Eight student teams produced original films, supported by 12  
lectures and workshops totaling 15 instructional hours. The project engaged 68 students,  
35 adults, and 15 volunteers, reaching 276 participants overall. The event provided  
significant educational and cultural impact, and city commission members were invited  
to attend the screenings.  
6.  
Other Business  
Review current license plate fund and available funding for fiscal year 2026  
(OMAC) Grant Balance  
a.  
Attachments:  
Ms. Parkman provided an update on the License Plate Plate fund. As of today, the  
current balance is $9,572.65. The available amount to spend this fiscal year (2026) is  
$6,800, which will decrease by $2,000 if a grant award is approved, leaving  
approximately $4,800 available.  
Recommend acceptance of the donation of Flamingo sculpture from the 7th Biennial  
Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition valued at $9,500 into the City’s public art  
collection  
b.  
Flamingo photo  
Attachments:  
Flamingo photo_2  
Michael-Okhaen-Statement-Flamingo  
Michael-OKhaen-Resume  
Michael-Okhaen-Flamingo-Care Sheet  
The Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition, initiated in 2012 as part of the Tuscawilla  
Park Master Plan, will enter its 8 season in January 2026, replacing the previous year’s  
sculptures with 10 newly selected sculptures for public display. One of the current  
sculptures, P. Ruber's Story Flamingo by artist Michael O'Khaen, has offered to donate  
the sculpture to the City for permanent outdoor display.  
In accordance with the City’s public art donation policy adopted in 2021, the artist  
provided a maintenance guide outlining minimal upkeep requirements, including  
resealing every 12-18 months to prevent UV damage. The sculpture is valued at $9,500  
and would diversify the City’s collection, as there are currently no works by this artist.  
The piece is already installed and secured with a metal plate and bolts, and relocation to  
a smaller site within Tuscawilla Park is planned if accepted.  
Motion to approve the donation of the P.Ruber's Story Flamingo Sculpture to the City for  
permanent outdoor display  
RESULT:  
APPROVED  
MOVER:  
Jean Floten  
SECONDER: Pedro "Tito" A. Comas  
AYE:  
Andrews, Barbaro, Comas, Floten, Hammond, McComb, Mosley,  
Reutter and Thompson  
EXCUSED:  
Public Comments  
None  
Baillie and Hutto  
7.  
8.  
Staff Comments  
Ms. Parkman stated the Public Artist Roster open call will go live on January 2, 2026, and by  
February 2026, an update will be provided to the committee on the applicants. Then, starting in  
April 2026, discussions and reviews will begin, likely requiring at least two sessions for OMAC  
to complete the evaluation process.  
9.  
Board Comments  
The Board discussed the various events being hosted by their organization.  
10.  
11.  
Next Meeting: February 4, 2026  
Adjournment  
The meeting adjourned at 4:53 p.m.