Ocala's Historic Union Station

MAX is housed within Ocala Union Station (also known as Union Station Plaza), adjacent to the beautiful Tuscawilla Art Park. Ocala Union Station was built in 1916 by both the Atlantic Coast Line  and Seaboard Air Line Railroads. Prior to this, ACL and SAL had separate depots in Ocala. On December 22, 1997, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Preservation

In 1997 the City of Ocala spearheaded a 4 million dollar restoration of Ocala Union Station complex funded by a transportation grant to return the buildings to their original grandeur and while increasing capacity and efficiency of the complex as a whole.  MAX has been fortunate to capitalize on the excellent condition of the buildings.

During the transformation from transportation to art hub, great care was taken to compliment the unique architecture and original features of the buildings. Studio spaces were retrofitted into Salon A (originally a large waiting room) leaving intact the original tile floors, exterior and interior walls, windows, and woodwork. While MAX boasts state of the art lighting appropriate for a creative space, period lighting appropriate for the age of the building also exists.

​The project team is proud of the blend of old and new that showcases our past and is an inspiration for the future. 

Studio Rentals for Resident Artists

 Six unfurnished work spaces are available to artists in all media; studios range from 93 to 139 sq. ft. (see map below).

Rental fees are monthly and vary on the studio space size, ranging from $179.20-$285.20 a month ($1.80 per sq. ft.) plus a $35 monthly fee for facility/operating costs.

A call for Resident Artists is issued twice a year. For more information about becoming a Resident Artist, click here.

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