It all started when…
Mark 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.
MGA SCULPTURE STUDIO, LLC SELECTED PROJECTS
MGA has provided design, technical design, fabrication and installation assistance for numerous public art commissions throughout the U.S. The selected clients represent a sampling of the types of entities for whom MGA has created works.
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.
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
MUSE Award - Artist of the Year.
In 2018, the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance awarded Mark an award for achieving excellence in the visual arts.
Board President. Warehouse Arts District Association, St. Petersburg, FL. 2012-Present
As President, spearheaded and directed capital campaign for purchase and development of a six warehouse, three-acre site to be redeveloped as an Arts Center with 50+ studio spaces, gallery, classroom and community areas to serve the needs of artists of all disciplines including literary and performing arts, preserving affordable rents for the creative population in this burgeoning arts destination. The Association raised $350,000 for the initial purchase in just six months and has raised over $1,500,000 to date. Phase 1 of the project was completed in the fall of 2017 redeveloping 16,000 square feet of studio gallery and education space.
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. Selected to show at the Stone Sculpture Triennial, Takamatsu, Japan. Mark Aeling was the only American selected for the exhibit. 2012
Board of Directors. Morean Center for the Arts, St. Petersburg, FL. 2009-2011
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