PROFESSIONAL RESUME FOR MARK AELING, MGA

MGA Sculpture Studio, LLC was founded in St. Louis, Missouri in 1996 and relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida in 2005. MGA has provided concept, design, technical design, fabrication and installation for numerous public art commissions throughout the United States. The selected clients represent a sampling of the types of entities for whom MGA has created works. Some highlights of those projects follow. 

MGA SCULPTURE STUDIO SELECTED PROJECTS

"Dancer" The County of Hillsborough, FL selected MGA to create a signature piece for their new Tampa Performing Arts Center in Tampa, FL. Installation April 2024. Budget $100,000.

El Paso Wing. The City of El Paso Public Art Program selected MGA to create a sculpture for the Eastside Regional Command Center, a newly designed command center for the El Paso Police Department. Installation January 2024. Budget $375,000

"Source" The City of Charlotte, NC selected MGA to create a signature piece for their new Water Facility that reflects the service of Charlotte Water, and the city’s unique history and character. Installed July 2023. Budget $195,500.

"Pineapple" This 12 foot tall, stainless steel Pineapple will be installed in the front yard of a Private Residence in Snell Isle, St. Petersburg, Florida. Installation October 2023. Budget $85,000

"Forging the Path" consisting of 7 lined wolves made of ~600 individual pieces, will greet the WolfPack culture at North Caroline State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Installed March 2023. Budget $200,000

"Refraction" With over 150 individual pieces, Refraction will become a stunning addition to the JW Marriott Residences in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Installed Dec 2022. Budget $179,000

"Tip of the Spear" The City of Clarksville, TN selected MGA to create an iconic symbol that would speak to the connection between Clarksville and Fort Campbell, KY, recognizing the men and women who serve this country. Installed Aug 2022. Budget $200,000.

"Continuum" In 2021, The Village Of Estero, Florida selected MGA to create an iconic sculpture for Estero Crossing. Installed April 2022. Budget $50,000

"Rise" In 2021, The American Freedom Distillery commissioned MGA to create a monument that commemorates those who lost their lives during and after the September 11th, 2001 attacks. Budget $450,000

"Illumination" In 2021, The City of Northglenn, CO selected MGA to create a colorful, suspended sculpture for the lobby of the new Parsons Theatre. Budget $135,000.

 “The Gallery Senior Living at North Port” In 2021, MGA created a series of 5 sculptures featuring Florida botanicals and coastal landscape inspired motifs are interspersed throughout the assisted living campus. Budget $185,000.

"Acumen" In 2021, The Cities of Loveland and Fort Collins, CO selected MGA to create a sculptural icon for the new Police Regional Training Institute. Budget $162,000.

"Nurture" In 2021, The City of Altamonte Springs, FL selected Mark to create a site-specific sculpture for Cranes Roost Park that captures the spirit of the community. Budget $169,800.

"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 $400,000.

"Gladiolus & Shielded" In 2019, MGA produced a two-part commission for the City of St. Petersburg, FL for its new Police Department Headquarters. Gladiolus is an exterior sculpture, Shielded is suspended in the lobby. Budget $380,000.

"Charley & River Shadow" MGA completed Charley to pay homage to yacht builder Charley Morgan, and River Shadow, both in 2018 for Crescent Development Group’s property in Tampa, FL, adjacent the iconic Riverwalk. Total budget $255,000.  

"Rays of Light" In 2018, MGA completed a public art installation for the cruise terminal at the Port Authority in Fort Lauderdale, FL, integrating Florida iconography. Commissioned by the Broward County Cultural Division. Budget $70,000.

 "Splash" In 2017, MGA was awarded and completed a public art commission from the City of Norman, OK to create a thematic icon for the Westwood Aquatic Center. Budget $130,000.

"OB JEC TI FI CA TION" In 2016, Mark Aeling had a solo sculpture exhibition featuring Butterfly Kiss, A Cutting Remark, Illuminated Pinion, Star Anise, Goat Head Thorn, and other sculptures that explore materiality and form.

"Budding Vortex" In 2016, MGA completed a commission for a Crescent Development Group property in Tampa, FL. The stacked aluminum sculpture illuminated with fiber optics is a beacon for the Tampa Riverwalk. Budget $75,000.

"Ascent" In 2016, MGA collaborated with artist Christopher Still on a commission for Ocean Properties’ Opal Sands Resort in Clearwater, FL. The aluminum and colored glass suspended sculpture greets guests to the beachfront resort. Budget $150,000.

"Vertical Hum" In 2015, Metro Development Group privately commissioned MGA to create an abstract metal sculpture for their Tampa, FL headquarters. Budget $25,000.

"Ripples of Life" In 2015, MGA completed a commission for The Florida Aquarium to design, fabricate and install a 70' long 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.

"Discovery Park" In 2014, MGA was awarded the commission to design and fabricate five life-sized sculptures for Discovery Park in Tennessee. Subjects include Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, Thomas Jefferson, Ayn Rand and Prometheus, all cast in fiberglass. Budget $125,000.

"Ripple Effect" In 2014, MGA was awarded a public art commission by BayCare Health Services to create a cast relief sculpture 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, in collaboration with C Glass Studio, LLC.

"Garden Sprites" In 2007, Owen Development commissioned MGA create four 10' tall cast concrete sculptures representing the phases of the creative process. This award-winning project was created 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.

EDUCATION


Master of Fine Arts, Washington University, School of Art, St. Louis, MO. Emphasis in Sculpture. 1993

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. Emphasis in Sculpture. 1989

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

Board President. Warehouse Arts District Association, Saint Petersburg, FL. 2012-Present

As President, Mark Aeling spearheaded and directed a capital campaign for the purchase and development of a six-warehouse, three- acre site to be redeveloped as an Arts Center with 50+ studio spaces, art gallery, classroom, and community areas. The site serves the needs of artists of all disciplines, preserving affordable rents for the creative population in this burgeoning arts destination. The Association has raised over $1,500,000 to date.

MUSE Award - Artist of the Year. In 2018, the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance awarded Mark for achieving excellence in the visual arts.

Rapid Returns Individual Artist Fellowship Award. In 2016, Mark Aeling was awarded a $5,000 professional artist grant by Creative Pinellas of Pinellas County, FL.

Stone Sculpture Triennial, Takamatsu, Japan. Selected to exhibit in 2012, Mark Aeling was the only American selected for the exhibit.

Board of Directors. Morean Center for the Arts, St. Petersburg, FL. 2009-2011