Call to Artists: “Nocturne: A Show of Good Spirits” –

MCA’s 7^th Annual ‘Best of the Best’ Juried Art Exhibition

Sponsored by the LILAC Foundation

On Display at The Brick: October 3 – 31, 2025

Description of Exhibit: Marion Cultural Alliance is thrilled to announce the seventh annual juried art exhibition, "Nocturne: A Show of Good Spirits", presented by The LILAC Foundation.

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. The show will culminate in a closing-night celebration on Thursday, October 30, with Ghouls for Good—a spirited, costume-friendly dance party hosted by The LILAC Foundation.

Works for this exhibition might explore themes like: Shadow and light, dreams, liminality, and the in-between, emotional or seasonal change, the beauty of twilight, dusk, or night, and/or the unseen forces that move us—grief, joy, memory, intuition.

Medium Requirements: We invite and encourage artists of all levels, working in all mediums to apply.

Who’s Eligible: Current (and future) MCA Artist Members, ages 13+ (Not a member? Join online at mcaocala.org/membership; annual membership starts at only $35 per year!)

Entry Guidelines:

• Entries are to be submitted digitally to https://mcanocturne.artcall.org/ no later than midnight on Sunday, September 21, 2025. No physical or mailed submissions will be accepted. Artists must follow the online application process and include:

• Artist’s Contact Info (Name, phone, address, email, and social media handles/website)

• A brief statement for each submitted piece and how it relates to the exhibit theme

• High-res images for each entry in JPG, PNG or PDF format showing the full piece

• Each artist may submit two (2) pieces for consideration. All work must be original; no giclee or reproductions. Only entries which adhere to the theme will be accepted. Suggested size per piece is up to 40“in any direction. Other restrictions apply. Please read our complete Submission Guidelines on the next page before entering!

• All work that is shown must be for sale, split 70% to the artist and 30% to MCA. MCA’s proceeds help further our mission to Champion, Convene and Create opportunities for the arts in Ocala/Marion.

Entry Fee: $25 for up to two (2) entries | $15 for one (1) entry

List of Awards: The judge(s) will award 2 Honorable Mentions, Third ($50), Second ($100), First ($150) and Best of Show ($250). The judge’s decision will be final. Awards will be presented at the Artists’ Reception. Other awards include: The LILAC Foundation purchase award, MCA staff recognition awards, Community Choice special award, Fan Fave ribbons, and more!

Exhibit Dates & Location: October 3 – 31, 2025 at the Brick City Center for the Arts

Deadline for Submissions: September 21, 2025 (by 11:59pm)

Status Notifications: Friday, September 26 (by 6pm via Art Call email)

Drop Off Date: Monday, September 29, 2025 (10am – 4pm) or Saturday, September 27 (11am-4pm)

Opening Reception: Friday, October 3, 2025 (5 - 6pm – Members Only | 6 - 7:30pm – Open Gallery)

Pick Up Date: Monday, November 3, 2025 (10am - 4pm) or Tuesday, November 4 (10am – 5pm)

Contact: MCA Gallery Team | Phone: 352-369-1500 | Email: gallery@mcaocala.com

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Visit www.mcaocala.org/calls-to-artists to download the full Call to Artists and Exhibit Guidelines.

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User Entry Process Tutorial: