WATCH // EXPLORE // CRAVE
RETURN OF THE MAX Ocala native Justin MacDonald has been named president of Magnolia Art Xchange.
// W R I T T E N A N D P H O T O G R A P H E D BY JESSE JAMES
O
cala is changing, and it’s getting a lot more colorful. The art scene has been expanding throughout the city, including new exhibitions, murals, art hubs and more. One such space leading the push for art in Ocala is the Magnolia Art Xchange, also known as MAX. MAX is an arts incubator and collective workshop for artists and art-minded people. Located in the historic Union Station, MAX was designed to facilitate visual artists’ creativity and professionalism. It serves as a collaborative resource hub for artists, educators and art enthusiasts while striving to expand Ocala’s cultural presence. Recently the MAX board voted in a new president—none other than Justin MacDonald. He’s no stranger to the arts community here in Ocala, making an impact through hard work and dedication. Justin started on the MAX Board in 2016, making it clear that he is not an artist but loves and supports art and the art
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community. Initially, his focus was on marketing enhance the artists’ work and growth. ”The space [offers] a renewed vision for the and fundraising, assisting MAX in reaching art scene in Ocala a goal to help fund and a building block construction. Although THE FUTURE OF MAX LOOKS to a better economy,” Justin had plans to Justin says. “The relent his position, LIKE MORE ARTISTS, MORE future of MAX looks new tasks arose, (SOCIALLY DISTANCED) EVENTS, like more artists, more and he continued to work with the board MORE WORKSHOPS, INCLUDING (socially distanced) events, more moving forward. ONLINE WORKSHOPS, AND A workshops, including Now, taking over online workshops, as president, Justin WHOLE LOT MORE COMMUNITY and a whole lot has his eyes set on INVOLVEMENT. THE GOAL more community the future of MAX. involvement. The Opening up about what IS TO HAVE THE MAGNOLIA goal is to have the MAX means to him, he ART XCHANGE BE THE FIRST Magnolia Art Xchange says MAX is not only be the first thought an arts incubator and THOUGHT SOMEONE HAS WHEN someone has when collective workshop IT COMES TO SEEING HOW AN it comes to seeing “but a renewed vision how an artist can for a historic site.” ARTIST CAN GROW IN A SOLELY grow in a solely The space now ARTS-BASED CAREER.” arts-based career.” plays host to studio and communal areas Magnolia Art Xchange // 531 NE 1st Avenue, for resident and member artists, teachers, Ocala, just north of downtown // For more professional advisers and students. MAX is information on MAX and upcoming events, call open for community interaction through public (352) 629-8414 or visit maxocala.org. workshops, classes and events designed to
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