The

ARTicle

Marion Cultural Alliance

October

2025

Updates from MCA

A Message from Jaye Baillie APR, MCA Executive Director


An Otherworldly Masquerade: Dreams & Nightmares Collide on October 30, 2025 for 'Ghouls for Good'!


Step into an otherworldly realm where your sweetest dreams shimmer—and your darkest nightmares awaken. Join the LILAC Foundation for an evening of enchantment, fantasy, and eerie elegance. Costumes inspired by bedtime stories, dreamscapes, or classic night terrors are highly encouraged. Whether you come dressed as a blissful sleeper or something that keeps others awake at night… you’ll be right at home.


Costume inspiration includes:

  • Otherworldly creatures
  • Twisted fairytales
  • Haunted carnival performers
  • Sleepwalkers and shadow selves
  • Soft-focus beauty with an unsettling edge


Dress to impress and express—because costumes are not only encouraged, they’re celebrated. The winner of the costume contest walks away with a killer prize.

About the Event:

Step into an ethereal world where your most vivid dreams—and darkest nightmares—collide in one unforgettable night of art, music, and mystery. This immersive Halloween experience blends high style and high strangeness, inviting guests to explore both light and shadow in a hauntingly beautiful space.

  • Haunting decor & light projections by Oniram Productions
  • Come dressed to impress for our signature Costume Contest
  • Dance the night away with DJ Karim spinning a dreamscape of sound
  • Sip signature cocktails like the Tequila Nightmare and Moonlight Muse (with its own dream dust syringe!)
  • Enjoy light bites and a cash bar all night


Ticket Tiers:

  • Early Bird: $25 (Available through October 9th only)

•Includes admission, light bites, costume contest entry, and dancing

  • Chase the Dream: $35

•Available October 10th until sold out.

•Tickets include light bites, entry into the Costume Contest, and dancing all night with DJ Karim


Why It Matters:

Hosted by The LILAC Foundation for Marion Cultural Alliance, Nightmares & Dreamscapes helps MCA Champion, Convene and Create opportunities for local artists and our arts community. As Marion County's leading local arts agency, MCA is the heartbeat of our arts scene - funding, connecting and inspiring creativity that brings our community to life. LILAC is proud to be a small part of helping us achieve our mission.

Give 4 Marion 2025 Recap

Thank You, Marion County! Because of your generosity, we raised $21,230 to keep the arts thriving in our community! Your support fuels creativity, uplifts local artists, and ensures the arts remain accessible to all.

Missed the opportunity to donate during G4M? It's never too late to support the ARTS - click here!

Get Your Tickets Today for Applaud the Arts 2025!

18th Annual Applaud the Arts: Olympus Odyssey!


Friday, November 15 | 6:00–9:00 PM

Appleton Museum of Art



Step into a world of myth and majesty as Marion Cultural Alliance proudly presents its 18th Annual Applaud the Arts, themed Olympus Odyssey—an evening of divine inspiration and artistic celebration.

This year’s unforgettable experience is presented and sponsored by Lisa Irwin. Tickets and sponsorship options are now available at mcaocala.org/applaud-the-arts.

A Message from Ashley Justiniano, Chief Arts Officer


Come little children! Join us for the October MCA Members’ Reception on Friday, October 3, 2025 from 5–6 pm at The Brick. 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 festivities.


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:

  • The beauty of twilight, dusk, or night
  • Shadow and light
  • Dreams and liminality
  • Emotional or seasonal change
  • 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, and special Fan Fave Ribbons (available for purchase at $15) which will crown our Community Favorite artist with the most ribbons collected at the end of the month. Nocturne will be on display October 3–31, 2025 at Brick City Center for the Arts.


Thank you to our October exhibit sponsor, the LILAC Foundation!

Upcoming October Events at The Brick!

October 11 (1:30-3:30pm) - Join artist practitioner Chris Hershberger of Arts in Health Ocala Metro will be leading a FREE painting class where you’ll create an adorable black cat and pumpkin piece—perfect for spooky season decor.


~No experience needed

~Ages 13 and up welcome

~All supplies included


The Painting with a Purpose class is free (with RSVP required), with a suggested donation of $25 to support Arts in Health Ocala Metro. Click HERE to save your spot!

October 16 (5 - 7:30pm) - Join Arts in Health Ocala Metro artist practitioner Natasha Jean-Pierre for a FREE creative writing experience that invites you to explore the beauty, mystery, and meaning hidden in your subconscious.


Through gentle prompts, Natasha will guide you to capture fragments of memory, vivid imagery, or raw emotion—whether as poetry, short narrative, or free-flow journaling. No experience required. Just bring your curiosity, an open heart, and a willingness to explore both the light and shadow of dreaming. Click HERE to save your spot!

October 30 (6:30-9:30pm) - Get ready for a night of dreams, nightmares, and doing good. Join us for Ghouls for Good, a Halloween costume party that blends whimsy, wonder, and wicked fun—all to support MCA and The LILAC Foundation.


Expect a little mischief and a lot of magic, including:

~Cocktails & treats

~Costume contest with dreamy prizes

~Interactive art & music by DJ Karim

~Surprises lurking around every corner...

Tickets: $35 / $25 (early). Click HERE to purchase tickets!

New Open Call for December!


A new call is now available for local and regional artists & makers for December 2025 at The Brick! "Homemade, Handmade, the Natural" aims to highlight the versatility of fiber art through functional or non-functional works using fiber, fabrics, and filaments in traditional or innovative ways.

Curated by David Campo III, this exhibition will be on display throughout December. Deadline to apply is November 2, 2025. Go to decfiberarts2025.artcall.org for more!

MCA Volunteer Opportunities!


Fall is here! Being the busiest season at The Brick, and we would love some extra help! If you enjoy being surrounded by art and uniquely creative people, then MCA is just the place to be!


Visit our website at mcaocala.org/volunteer to browse our current opportunities and sign up for your shift of choice! Contact Jonia via email or phone for any questions.

Thank You to Our Gallery Sponsors!

Check Out What's Happening at The Brick

Did you know that MCA supports local artists and nonprofit arts organizations with direct funding?

Check out the Grant Opportunities section on our website to find out more and apply today!

Click here to learn more.

This November, MCA proudly presents A Symphony of Color, a vibrant solo exhibition by local artist Rich Schleicher. Known for his bold use of palette and expressive brushwork, Schleicher’s work transforms canvas into rhythm and movement. Don’t miss this celebration of color and creativity opening on November 7 from 5-7pm.

Check out our latest curated collection for Fall/Winter 2025 in The Shop! Find a unique selection of art including unique hand-made items, original paintings, sculptures, holiday items and more! Stop by during gallery hours - Tuesdays through Fridays from 10am to 5pm, and Saturdays from 11am to 4pm.

Support our local ARTS community

Become a Member Today!

Explore Local Artistry through OMAS!

Celerate ARTober Fest!

From live theatre to gallery strolls, concerts to cultural festivals—50+ local arts & cultural organizations are creating something amazing every week.


Don’t miss out on what’s happening in your own backyard. Discover it all at OcalaMetroArtScene.org

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Contact Us!


gallery@mcaocala.com

352.369.1500


23 SW Broadway St.

Ocala, FL 34471

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