It all started when…
Mark Aeling earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture at Colorado State University in 1989. After completing his Master of Fine Art in Sculpture from Washington College in 1993, Mark opened MGA Sculpture Studio in St. Louis, Missouri, gaining an exceptional reputation with the design, fabrication and architectural industries in the region.
In 2005, he relocated MGA to Saint Petersburg, Florida where he resides with his family. Currently the President of Saint Petersburg’s Warehouse Arts District Association – a vibrant and diverse cultural center – he has helped to shape the area through active leadership advocacy in the arts and an understanding of the need for community involvement.
Public Art Projects
MGA has provided design, technical design, fabrication and installation assistance for numerous public art commissions throughout the U.S.
First Flight. In 2020, MGA created a life-sized replica of the Benoist airboat that made the first commercial flight over the Tampa Bay in 1914. Commissioned by the Flight 2014 Foundation. Budget $313,000.
Gladiolus / Shielded. In 2019, MGA produced a two-part commission for the St. Petersburg, FL Police Department. Budget $380,000.
Charley / River Shadow. Completed in 2018 are 2 sculptures in Tampa, FL for Crescent Communities in the Riverwalk Area. Budget $240,000.
Rays of Light. In 2018, MGA completed a public art commission for The Port Authority in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Budget $70,000.
Splash. In 2017, MGA was awarded and completed a public art commission from Norman, Ok. MGA created a 20’x20’x12’ aluminum sculpture with cast concrete basing element. Budget $130,000.
Objectification. In 2016, Mark Aeling of MGA had a solo sculpture exhibition featuring recent works such as: Butterfly Kiss, A Cutting Remark, Illuminated Pinion, Star Anise, Goat Head Thorn, and others.
Budding Vortex. In 2016, MGA completed a commission sculpture for Crescent Communities in Tampa, FL. This was an 18’ tall aluminum fabrication with fiber optic illumination. Budget $75,000.
Ascent. In 2016, MGA completed a commission for Ocean properties at the Opal Sands Resort in Clearwater, FL. This was 35’ long and made of Aluminum and glass. It was a collaboration with Christopher Still. Budget $150,000.
Ripples of Life. In 2015, MGA completed a commission for The Florida Aquarium to design, fabricate and install a 70' Donor Wall in its main entry lobby. The sculpture features its own programmable LED lighting system and curves to fit the lobby's uniquely shaped interior wall. Designed in collaboration with Carrie Jadus Fine Art. Budget $85,000.
Vertical Hum. An abstract metal sculpture created in 2015 for Metro Development in Tampa. Project budget $25,000.
Discovery Park. In 2014, MGA was awarded the commission to design and fabricate five cast fiberglass sculptures for Discovery Park in Tennessee. Subjects include Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, Thomas Jefferson, Ayn Rand and Prometheus. Each figure is life size. Budget $125,000.
Ripple Effect. In 2014, MGA was awarded a public art commission by Bay Care Health Services to create a 10'x15' Cast Relief for the lobby of their new administrative facility in Clearwater, FL. Budget $87,000.
Sundial Dolphins. In 2013, MGA was awarded a private commission to design and fabricate six life-sized bronze dolphins for a shopping plaza in the heart of Downtown St. Petersburg, FL. Budget $75,000.
Wired and Bradenton Bike Racks. In 2011-2012, MGA received a commission from the City of Bradenton, FL for eight sculptures of woven metal wire integrated into existing chain link fence for the new River Walk Skate Park in Bradenton, FL, and three fine art bike racks made of powder coated steel, all in collaboration with C Glass Studio, LLC.Sculpture Assessment for Saint Petersburg. In 2013, MGA completed a public art commission to assess the condition of and develop a plan of action for maintenance of over 30 sculptures for the City of St. Petersburg Parks Department.
Garden Sprites. In 2007, MGA was commissioned to create four 10' tall cast concrete sculptures representing the phases of the creative process. This award-winning project was commissioned by Owen Development for their compound in Webster Groves, MO.
Legends Plazas. In 2004 and 2007, working with Art Director Jane McNeely of Jane Designs, MGA was commissioned to create a series of 31 iconic sculptures, many of them monumental, for Legends Plazas in Reno, NV and Kansas City, KS, two linear shopping plazas with large collections of commissioned art. Work began for Kansas City in 2004, and Reno in 2007, completing each within two years. Sculptures were fabricated in materials ranging from cast iron to bronze to stainless steel to fiberglass and had individual budgets from $2,000 to $225,000. Highlights include Cut Throat Trout (Budget $160,000) and Pony Express (Budget $225,000), which anchor opposite entrances to the Reno Plaza. MGA received over $750,000 for its work at Legends Reno alone.
Ringers. In 2003, MGA developed and fabricated a monumental game of horseshoes in action giving the viewer the perspective of a Lilliputian in 'Gulliver’s Travels' Commissioned by The City of Austin, Texas, Ringers was a collaboration with Kevin Garber of Fishing Creek Studios. Budget $60,000.
New Sculpture on Display on St. Pete Pier Honoring First Commercial Flight.
BayNews9. December 2020.
‘First Flight’ monument installed at the St. Pete Pier
St. Pete Catalyst. December 2020.
Creating the Benoist at the St. Pete Pier
10 Tampa Bay. December 2020.
Splash of Art
Florida Design. October 2020 (Naples Edition).
City Council OKs final design for Benoist Monument
St. Pete Catalyst. May 2020.
St. Pete council approves final design of historic Airboat monument
Tampa Bay Times. May 2020.
FBTV Visits MGA Sculpture Studio
Susan Short for Family Beautiful TV. January 2020.