The City of Ocala in partnership with Fine Arts For Ocala (FAFO) present the 2025 Student and Emerging Artist Competition, “Techne.” Techne refers to the Greek word τέχνη, which translates to skill, craft, or the art of making and the aim for this exhibition is to highlight a diverse range of media.

Experience the work of student and emerging artists in this open theme exhibition. All artworks will be available for purchase unless otherwise noted.

“Techne” will be on view from Wednesday, December 3, 2025, through Monday, March 9, 2026, at Ocala City Hall (110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala, FL 34471), open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. An opening reception and awards ceremony will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at City Hall.

CALL TO ARTISTS

The City of Ocala invites artists, with less than one year to six years of experience, to submit entries for "Techne" 2025 Student and Emerging Artist Competition. Artist can only submit one artwork for the competition. Submitted artwork must have been completed within the last two years.

Artists will compete in three divisions according to their respective years of experience including, High School Students, 1 to 3 Years of Active Experience, and 4 to 6 Years of Active Experience. A juror will award winners in each division, as well as Best of Show. Awards will be presented at a reception at City Hall on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Prizes include scholarships, cash awards, gift certificates, museum memberships, professional framing, media features, and more. See below for details. 

Applications are now closed.

For helpful information about writing artist statements and preparing artwork for hanging and display, view the documents below:
How to Write an Artist Statement
Art Installation Guide

Prizes:

Any Category – Best of Show

• $1,000 monetary award by Fine Arts For Ocala (FAFO)
• Feature in The Ocala Gazette
• Free class at Picasso’s Palette

High School Division

1st Place

• College of Central Florida Scholarship
• Free class at Painting with a Twist

2nd Place and 3rd Place

• College of Central Florida Scholarship

1–3 Years Experience Division

1st Place

• Appleton & MCA memberships
• Free class at Painting with a Twist
• $150 gift certificate for Chelsea Arts Center

4–6 Years Experience Division

1st Place

• Appleton & MCA memberships
• Professional art framing at Cartigliano Arts
• Free class at Painting with a Twist

All Winners: Annual memberships to the Appleton Museum of Art and Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) memberships. Registration fee waiver for the 2025–26 First Friday Art Walk season.

Featured below are the winners from 2024

View our past winners here. 

Thank you to our sponsors: