2024 Resident Artists
Kendra Brazzel
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Kendra Brazzel is an abstract watercolor and mixed media artist living in Ocala, Florida. Kendra began her odyssey into the art world during the pandemic where she discovered a love for colors and textures, finding inspiration in nature and the world around her.
Her natural curiosity is evident in her body of work, which is very experimental in nature. She loves adding threadwork to paper and canvas, playing with a mix of mediums and tools, and enjoys trying things that push her from her comfort zone. In Kendra’s short time pursuing her artist career her works have been exhibited at galleries and shows here in Ocala, where she has been honored with two “Best in Show” awards. |
Joan Elizabeth
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Joan has been drawing since early childhood and in grade school found art class to be a very meditative safe space amidst the chaos of public school. She earned her BFA in Visual Arts from The University of Florida in 2008 and suffered immediate burnout after graduating which lasted through the majority of her 20s.
She began exploring other outlets for her creativity, discovering a passion for performing. She has acted in numerous plays and musicals, done stand-up, emceed burlesque shows, and recited her own poetry at spoken word events. It was through these outlets as well as her regular yoga and meditation practice that Joan was able to begin letting go of her perfectionism and deeply ingrained belief that she was not and would never be a legitimate artist. During the pandemic she began drawing again, developing her own experimental and abstract illustrative style with the use of markers and stencils that visually reflects breaking free from the mental and emotional blocks that keep us from living our most authentic, joyful selves. As an artist and actor, Joan continues to work through these long held intrusive thoughts in order to keep creating and flowing, focusing on the process as opposed to the product. |
Gabi Zuniga
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Gabi Zuniga, a Ringling College of Art and Design alum, embarked on a dynamic journey from freelance illustration to graphic design in 2020.
With a knack for blending diverse experiences, she offers clients vibrant and unique illustrations and designs through her business, Studio Gab. Beyond freelancing, Gabi crafts clay art, fine art, stickers, and more for her online shop and Florida galleries. As of Spring 2023, she's joined the Magnolia Art Xchange as a Resident Artist, adding a new dimension to her artistic pursuits. |
Rod Acosta
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Rodney Acosta Graduated from the San Juan School of Fine Arts (Escuela de Artes Plasticas), obtaining a bachelor's in visual arts. Continuing his education at Rollings College Florida, he has been drawing and painting since he was 14. Since then, he has produced and exhibited his art in one medium or another in Florida and the Caribbean.
His exhibitions, to name a few, were shown three times at the annual biennial of "Cartel la Puntilla San Juan." In 1993, Rod moved to Florida and shortly after participated in O.V.A.L. Orlando, Volunteer Artist League and had a solo exhibition at Cafe Tutu Tango Orlando, Borders bookstore, D.A.A.S. Coop, Arts for Act Gallery, Sydney & Berne Davis Art Center in Fort Myers among others. In 2021, Rod was commissioned to paint two mural panels at the Caloosahatchee Marina in downtown Fort Myers. He has taught individual art classes occasionally and participated in and won at least three art contests. Rod recently moved to Marion County and has participated in local collective exhibitions at Noma Gallery and Marion Cultural Alliance; he is currently one of the resident artists at The Magnolia Arts Exchange, where he works on his new pieces at "Acosta Studio 6 ". Acosta's works are primarily mixed media in canvas or wood board; he has also produced several sculptures in steel and wood. His technique consists of extreme light contrasts, heavy textures, scratching over layers of oil, and aiding found objects and textiles. |
Sarah Lajealle
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Sarah has been passionate about creating art since childhood. Without formal art education, she initially painted for friends and small commissions. Relocating to Florida, she draws inspiration from its natural beauty creating pieces that reflect her surroundings. Throughout her career, she has balanced various roles from art teacher to marketing director, always weaving creativity into her work. Sarah now focuses on growing her artistic reach and immersing herself in Florida's landscapes.
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