Horse Fever 25th Anniversary Raffle: Tribute 25

Enter for a chance to win a custom Horse Fever commemorative life size horse while supporting the mission of Marion Cultural Alliance, the designated local arts agency for Marion County. Additionally, nominate your charity of charity of choice* for their chance to receive 12% of the proceeds.

Suggested Donation: $75 per ticket or $375 for 5, get an extra free Multiple entries permitted.

All proceeds support local artists, arts education, and cultural programs. Suggested donation $75 per ticket. No purchase or contribution necessary to enter or win. Free entry available by contacting Marion Cultural Alliance at Chelsey.marques@mcaocala.org or by visiting Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway Street, Ocala, Florida during normal business hours..

Drawing Date: Friday, December 4, 2026 6 pm

Marion Cultural Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located at 23 SW Broadway Street, Ocala, FL 34471.All entries have an equal chance of winning.

*Nomination criteria: Must be a nonprofit benefitting the arts, culture, heritage, science, and equine-related.

About the Artist

Tribute 25 by Sharon Crute

With the theme of “transition”, I wanted to represent the “Horse Fever” artwork literally by portraying the equine subject as the design. Depictions of narrative and symbols illustrate the creation of the Marion Cultural Alliance and the first “fever” project of 25 years ago as a bold idea. Their ensuing efforts would strengthen the presence of various artistic genres, creating new ones, and transitioning into the thriving art community Ocala is today.

My artwork begins with a nightscape: a full moon on top of the horse’s rump. The left side portrays four riderless horses. The horse below the moon hesitates in the dark, unsure of making an initial move and looking back over its shoulder for reassurance. The second horse stands alert, curiously attentive but cautious. The third horse bravely steps out and is inspired to follow the fourth horse as that horse rears up in joy and fearlessness. The light progresses throughout the horses from darkness into a sunrise of brilliant light.

The right side of the horse pictures a selection of four genres of horsemanship in Marion County. A thoroughbred walks to the track in the dark – representing speed and survival. The western horse is a partnership in a working relationship. The third, a dressage horse, is about refinement and discipline transitioning into beauty and the fourth, a jumper, is fearlessness and successful.

Nestled in the dark hind legs are four nocturnal critters indigenous to Marion County: a raccoon, skunk, armadillo and a rat snake who represents the transition from the year of the snake to the year of the horse.

-Sharon Crute

January 2025

Marion Cultural Alliance, Inc. (MCA) is a 501(c) charitable organization registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. A copy of the official registration (#CH551) and the financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Affairs by calling toll-free 1-800-435-7352 within the state or visit the website https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Charities. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. No goods or services were received and is tax-deductible by law. Marion Cultural Alliance, Inc. does not engage paid solicitors.

EIN number: 31.1760490