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.

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

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

Judging is complete.

Winners of the 2025 Student and Emerging Artist Competition “TECHNE”, were announced by the City of Ocala Cultural Arts Division at the reception on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. Categories included Best in Show, High School, One to Three Years of Experience, and Four to Six Years of Experience. The judges included Charlita Whitehead from Ocala Economic Development, Ryan Neumann from Fine Arts For Ocala, and Alvaro Lima from the University of Florida.

The 2025 winners are: 

Best in Show

Tyrek Studivant- Them Darn Nab Seagulls

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

High School Division:

First Place: Elisha Centeno- BEEF

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

Second Place: Sayge Brinson- Outside Inside

• College of Central Florida Scholarship

Third Place: Bryce Howard- AlienTiger Mi.35

• College of Central Florida Scholarship

One to Three Years of Active Experience Division:

First Place: Tony Auletta- Hidden Horror

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

Second Place: Kyrah Swanigan- The Beauty of Her Beast

Third Place: Emma Anderson- From Flames and Ashes I Arise Like a Phoenix in the Night

Four to Six Years of Active Experience Division:

First Place: Yomar Casanova- La Noche Verde

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

Second Place: George Anthony Tripp- The Wearer of Faces

Third Place: Shoma Joshi- Rapture

View our past winners here. 

Thank you to our sponsors: