News Release
CF Unveils New Mural at Ocala Campus
The College of Central Florida launched its newest mural, “Artists Rule the World,” at a celebration at the Ocala Campus on May 5.
Located outside the Dassance Fine Arts Center, the mural depicts the different visual and performing arts courses offered at CF.
Carla Gonzalez, the mural’s artist, is a 2022 CF Associate in Arts graduate who has been painting for more than 12 years. She won Best in Show in the 2021 CF Student Art Exhibition and two Honorable Mentions in the 2022 CF Student Art Exhibition. After “growing up in Cuba but surrounded by Mexican culture,” Gonzalez said her work is influenced by many Latin American artists.
“While it may not be accurate to say artists rule the world, it is certainly true that art and artists have the power to shape our perception, challenge our assumptions and inspire us to think and act differently,” Gonzalez said. “With this mural, I wanted to celebrate the power of art, bring people together and create a sense of community.”
The mural was funded by a College of Central Florida Foundation New Initiative Grant submitted by Rachel Cote, manager of web communications and new media. The grant’s purpose was to create an art installation that would permanently enhance the beauty of a CF campus and become a part of CF’s brand identity, providing a new way for students and campus visitors to engage.
The new initiative grant started with an open call to artists for mural proposals. All proposals were reviewed by a committee made up of CF faculty and staff, and Gonzalez’s art proposal was selected as the winning piece.
“We had a fantastic selection of art submissions, which is a testament to the great talent of our local artists,” said Cote. “The committee unanimously agreed that Carla’s piece best represented CF’s mission, vision and commitment to the arts. We’re so pleased with the mural’s vibrancy and creativity.”
The mural is open to the public and is located on the exterior wall of the Dassance Fine Arts Center east stairwell. For more information about CF’s Visual and Performing Arts Department, visit CF.edu/VPA. To learn more about the CF Foundation’s New Initiative Grant, visit CF.edu/Foundation.