In the Gallery & Upcoming…
Where We Gather
RSVP for the September Opening Reception
Friday, September 5 | 5-7 pm
There’s a special kind of alchemy that happens in the places we gather. Whether it’s a porch at dusk, a folding chair under an oak tree, a church hall filled with laughter, or a kitchen steeped in the scent of something simmering — gathering spaces shape our stories, hold our histories, and root us in something larger than ourselves.
“Where We Gather” is a community-centered art exhibit that invites local artists to reflect on the spaces — both ordinary and sacred — where connection happens in Ocala and across the world. This theme is about more than physical structures; it’s about the rituals, relationships, and rhythms that turn spaces into places of belonging. Where are your gathering places? Who do you return to? What sounds, textures, and memories live there?
Thank you to our exhibit sponsor; Angie Lewis State Farm!
Nocturne: A Show of Good Spirits
MCA's 7th Annual Best of the Best Juried Art Competition
Opening Reception: Friday, October 3, 2025 | 5 - 6 PM
On Display: October 3 - 31, 2025
Marion Cultural Alliance is thrilled to announce the seventh annual juried art exhibition, Nocturne: A Show of Good Spirits, presented by The LILAC Foundation.
Join us for the MCA Members’ Reception on Friday, October 3, 2025 from 5–6 pm at The Brick, home of Marion Cultural Alliance. Remarks and awards will begin at 5:30 pm, followed by Spoken Word Ocala in the Courtyard from 6:30–7:30 pm.
During First Friday Art Walk, the gallery will be open to the public from 6–7:30 pm—no RSVP required.
About the Exhibit
As the season shifts and the nights grow longer, Nocturne invites artists to explore the quiet power of darkness, transformation, and inner reflection. This October exhibition embraces mood over menace—focusing on the mysterious, the introspective, and the beautifully strange.
Featured works will explore themes such as: Shadow and light, Dreams and liminality, Emotional or seasonal change, The beauty of twilight, dusk, or night, The unseen forces that move us—grief, joy, memory, and intuition
Awards & Recognition
The juror will present Best of Show ($250), First Place ($150), Second Place ($100), Third Place ($50), and two Honorable Mentions. Additional honors include The LILAC Foundation Purchase Award, MCA Staff Recognition Awards, Community Choice Special Award, and Fan Fave Ribbons.
Past 2025 Exhibits
January Exhibition
“Storytelling Knights Exhibition”
January 10, 2025 through January 30, 2025
February Member's Reception
“Arts and Health Exhibition”
Friday, February 7, 2025 | 5 - 6 p.m.
March Exhibit Opening Reception
“Rivers, Springs and Other Wild Things”
Friday, March 7, 2025 | 5 - 7 p.m.
April Exhibition
“Upcycled 3: From Waste to Wonder”
On Display at The Brick from April 4 - 26, 2025
May Art Exhibit
“Melodic Metamorphosis”
On Display at The Brick from May 2-31, 2025
June Art Exhibit
“Summer Block Party”
June 6 - June 20, 2025
Sponsored by REVIVAL by Brick City Market
Art in the Attic 2025
July 2 - 19, 2025 | During Gallery Hours
August Exhibit
Art of Aging 2025 | Gallery of Gratitude
Art by MCA Member Artists Ages 55 and up
Friday, August 1 | 5 - 7pm
2024 Exhibits
January Exhibit
“Creative Champions Collective”
January 5 | 5-6 PM
February Exhibit Opening
“Body Language”
Featuring Art of Local Artists
February 2 | 5-6 PM
March Exhibit
“West Port High’s 2024 Senior Art Show”
Featuring Art by WPHS Senior Students
March 1 - 30, 2024
April Art Exhibit is Sponsored by Florida Express Waste & Recycling
“Upcycled 2: From Waste to Wonder”
April Exhibit
April 5 - 27, 2024
May Exhibit
WUFT’s Artistry in Motion Showcase | May Exhibit
Featuring AIM Artists from Seasons 1 - 4!
May 3 - 31, 2024 | During gallery hours
June Exhibit
MidSummer Dreams | June Exhibit
MCA Member Artists
June 7- July 3, 2024 | During gallery hours
August Exhibit
Art of Aging | August Member’s Reception
Art by MCA Member Artists Ages 55 and up
Friday, August 2 | 5 - 6:30pm
September Art Exhibit
Color Pop! | September Member’s Reception
Featuring colorful & original art by 70 artist members
Friday, September 6 | 5 - 6 p.m.
October Member's Reception
“Dreamscapes” | 6th Annual Juried Art Exhibition
Opens Friday, October 4 | 5 - 6 p.m.
MCA’s Block pARTy 2024: Day of the Dead Celebration
November 1 - 30, 2024
December Exhibition
“BE KIND” | Art by Cara VL & Kelsey Mahoney
December 6, 2024 through January 4, 2025
2023 Exhibits
January Exhibit
“Couch Sessions Exhibit”
Jan. 6- Jan. 28, 2023
February Exhibit
“A Love Story”
by Ro Martinez
Feb. 3 - Feb. 12, 2023
February Exhibit
“Reflections”
by Ocala Art Group
Feb. 18 - Feb. 25, 2023
March Exhibit
“Unmasked”
by Lisa Russo
March 3 - March 25, 2023
April Exhibit
“UpCycled”
April 7 – April 29, 2023
May Exhibit
“Ocala: The Art of Community”
May 5 - May 27, 2023
June Exhibit
“Retro/New”
by David D’Alessandris
June 2 - July 8, 2023
July Exhibit
“Art in the Attic”
Fundraiser Event
July 14 - July 22, 2023
August Exhibit
“Art of Aging: The Golden Age”
MCA Member Exhibit
August 4 - August 26, 2023
September Exhibit
“From Books to Brush Strokes”
MCA Member Exhibit
September 1 – September 30, 2023
October Exhibit
“La Vie Bohème”
MCA Member Exhibit, sponsored by LILAC Foundation
October 6 - October 30, 2023
November Exhibit
“MCA’s Block pARTy 2023”
November 3 - 25, 2023
December Exhibit
“Newy Fagan: A Retrospective”
December 1 - 28, 2023
2022 Exhibits
January Exhibit
“Horses With Long Legs”
A One-Woman Solo Show by Cara Van Leuven
January 3 - 30, 2022
February Exhibit
“Stroke of Genius: Inspired by the Masters”
A Group Exhibit by Ocala Art Group Artist Members
February 4 - 26, 2022
March Exhibit
“Field Concert”
A One-Woman Solo Exhibit by Kay Deuben
March 4 - 26, 2022
April Exhibit
“Mixed Messages”
by Esta Mann & Rich Schleicher
April 1 - 30, 2022
May Exhibit
“Landmarks”
MCA Members Exhibit
May 6 - 28, 2022
June Exhibit
“Music Moves Marion”
MCA Members Exhibit
June 3 - 25, 2022
July Pop-Up Exhibit
“Glimpses of India”
by Dr. Sheni Meghani
July 1 - 9, 2022
August Exhibit
“Art of Aging: The Secret of Life”
MCA Members Exhibit
August 5 - 27, 2022
September Exhibit
“Hispanic Heritage Art Exhibit”
Sept. 2 - Oct. 1, 2022
October Exhibit
“Through the Looking Glass”
4th Annual ‘Best of the Best’ Art Exhibit and Competition
Oct. 7- Oct. 29, 2022
November Exhibit
“Block pARTy”
Nov. 4- Nov. 26, 2022
December Exhibit
“MCA Art Collective”
Dec. 2 - Dec. 31, 2022
2021 Exhibits
January Exhibit
“Nature’s Beauty”
A Collaborative Exhibit featuring Paintings by Jillian Ramsammy and Photography by Saul Reyes
January 8 - January 30, 2021
February Exhibit
“Equine Art Exhibit”
Featuring the art of Michael Brennan
February 4 - February 27, 2021
March Exhibit
“Monochromatic March”
Featuring artwork by MCA Artist Members
March 5 - March 27, 2021
April Exhibit
“Now and Then”
Featuring artwork by Ocala Art Group members
April 2 - May 1, 2021
May Exhibit
“Art of Aging: Resurgence”
Featuring artwork by MCA Senior Artists
May 7 - May 29, 2021
June Exhibit
“Art in Bloom”
Featuring artwork by MCA Artist Members
June 4 - June 26, 2021
July Exhibit
“Seeing Peacocks Through My Eyes”
An Immersive Experience Into Indian Culture by Dr. Sheni Meghani
July 1 - July 12, 2021
August Exhibit
“Creature Feature”
An Animal Art Exhibit by MCA Artist Members
August 6 - August 28, 2021
September Exhibit
“Inspired By…”
MCA’s 3rd Annual ‘Best of the Best’ Juried Art Exhibit & Competition
September 3 - September 25, 2021
October Exhibit
“Nature in the Balance: Exploring Flora & Fauna of Florida & South America”
Featuring Photography by Jim Valentine and visionary artworks by Peruvian students of Pablo Amaringo Guest Curator: Dr. Scott Olsen
October 1 - October 30, 2021
November Exhibit
“Converging Community & Culture”
An Art Exhibit Celebrating Afro-American & Latinx Artists in the Ocala/Metro Community
November 5 - 27, 2021
December Exhibit
“VISIONS”
A Photographic Exploration by Dan McCarthy
December 3 - 30, 2021
2020 Exhibits
January Exhibit
“Alan Abele Photography”
by Alan Abele
January 3 - February 1, 2020
February Exhibit
“Artistic Interpretations of the Written Word”
Featuring the work of Artist – Alley members
February 7 - 29, 2020
March Exhibit
“Roadside Attractions”
Featuring the work of Carol Basso & Esta Mann
March 6 - May 2, 2020
May-June Exhibit
“The New Normal”
Featuring new, never before shown art by selected MCA artist members.
May 20 - June 27, 2020
July Exhibit
“Ocklawaha: Wild and Endangered River”
A mixed-media art exhibit
July 2 - July 18, 2020
August Exhibit
“The Art of Purpose”
An applied arts exhibit
August 7 - August 29, 2020
September Exhibit
“Pleasures 2.0”
MCA’s Annual Fine Arts Exhibit & Competition
September 4 - September 26, 2020
October Exhibit
“Community”
A Collaborative Art Show by Fine Arts by Ocala (FAFO)
October 2 - October 31, 2020
November Exhibit
“Paint What You Love”
A Student Art Exhibit
November 6 - November 28, 2020
December Exhibit
“Explosion of the Flamboyans”
A One-Woman Art Show by Alma Lugo
December 4, 2020 - January 2, 2021
Gallery Hours are Monday thru Fridays, 10 AM to 5 PM, and Saturdays, 11 AM to 4 PM. We’re Closed Sundays.
Questions? Please contact Gallery Director Ashley Justiniano or call (352) 369-1500.
The Brick City Gallery is sponsored by Showcase Properties of Central Florida, The LILAC Foundation, Angie Lewis – State Farm Agent, and Renasant Bank