Wise, Greg ; Artist

Marion County Fair [Official Commemorative Poster] [Signed Limited Edition]

This evocative commemorative poster serves as a vibrant time capsule, inviting the viewer to return to the 1930s to celebrate the quintessential American county fair.

Centered on a magnificently detailed carousel horse, Greg Wise’s artwork captures the sensory world of a bygone era—from the neon glow of thrill rides and the smell of cotton candy to the timeless pastoral charm of Marion County’s agricultural heritage. This specimen is hand-numbered 687 of 1500 and is signed by the artist.

Created by regional artist Greg Wise, the work utilizes a bold, high-contrast graphic style to celebrate Ocala’s heritage as the Horse Capital of the World and the traditional hub of North Central Florida’s farming community. This poster is hand-numbered 687 of 1500 and is signed by the artist.

KEY FEATURES
+++ Signatures: Hand-signed by the artist, Greg Wise, in the lower left margin.
+++ Theme: A nostalgic 1930s retrospective focusing on the golden age of the county fair.
+++ Limited Edition: Numbered 687 of an edition of 1500. With Certificate.
+++ Visuals: A 17 by 26 inch graphic Features high-detail renderings of a carousel horse, thrill rides, and classic fairground icons.
+++ Regional Interest: Specifically produced for the Marion County (Ocala) Fair, a major fixture of Florida’s interior heritage.
+++ Format: 17 x 26 inches; suitable for professional framing and display. Ocala, Florida: Marion County Fair Association, [c. 1990s]. Screen-print on heavy stock.

CONDITION: Fine -- In collectible condition. The poster is remarkably well-preserved with no flaws, creases, or edge wear. It has been stored flat and retains full color saturation without any evidence of sun-fading.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE --
Greg Wise is a noted Florida regionalist artist and illustrator, primarily recognized for his work in the Ocala and Marion County area. His style often bridges the gap between commercial graphic art and fine art, focusing on the iconography of the rural South—livestock, county fairs, and the sprawling horse farms that define the region.

Commemorative posters of this type were often commissioned as fundraisers or souvenirs for the fair’s upper-tier sponsors and participants. 

The poster functions as both a piece of local Ocala history and a broader tribute to the American Midway. While the Marion County Fair has long been a hub for the region's horse industry, this artwork pivots toward the entertainment and communal aspects of the fair, preserving the visual language of the 1930s through modern screen-printing techniques.

SUBJECTS: Florida History, Ocala, Marion County Fair, Agricultural Art, Equestrian History, Florida Regionalism, Posters, Limited Editions, Signed Art, Ephemera.

Item #21632

Price: $125.00