10-day mural project is underway in the Eau Gallie Arts District

The Eau Gallie Arts District is earning its moniker this week, as artists from near and far blanket the neighborhood with color.

It's all part of the Anti-Gravity Project, a 10-day event during which artists from around the world and down the block are creating larger-than-life murals throughout the Eau Gallie downtown area.

Muralists are working on their walls all week, and anyone interested in experiencing the process is invited to stop by to watch any time during daylight hours. Night events are planned Wednesday and Thursday, and the festival culminates Saturday with an Anti-Block Party.

The idea is to create an outdoor museum filled with artwork that everyone can enjoy, said Angelo Manzano, who is co-curating the event with EGAD artist Derek Gores.

"I think it's awesome," said Mike Cole, owner of New Vision Nursery on Montreal Avenue in EGAD. "I think it's going to be a welcoming view coming up the road."

Sunday afternoon, Cole watched as the west-facing wall of the former Rick's Furniture and Consignment Sales was prepped for Detroit artist Michelle Tanguay. At 130-by-30-feet, it will be the largest Anti-Gravity mural.

"It's a big, blank canvas," Cole said. "I can't wait to see what she's going to do with it."

While a man on a ladder sprayed white paint across the stucco, Tanguay sprayed herself down with sunscreen, prepping her pale skin for a week in Florida's late fall sun.

She's keeping her final vision a secret, but gave up one hint: "There's going to be a woman on the wall."

"This is going to be one of the most fun to come and watch," said Wayne Walton, who bought Rick's Furniture earlier this year. He's finalizing plans for what the building will hold, but he and his family certainly are invested in the area.

His wife, Jordan, and sister-in-law Tiffany Rosenfield, own Maxine's Salon & Spa on Highland Avenue. They live in a historic home in the arts district.

He hopes more people will take advantage of the opportunity to watch and interact with artists who have gained world renown for their work. These artists should be painting in front of a crowd, he said.

"I'm so excited to be a part of it," said Tanguay.

She toured the old building, which once housed a theater. She appreciates the opportunity to be part of the team giving the place a new life.

"Detroit is filled with abandoned buildings that are being restored and redone," she said.

Across Eau Gallie Boulevard and up a block at the Salty Fox, Tallahassee artist Danielle Henn had her mural well underway. By early Sunday afternoon, the image of a patchwork goddess with scissors and a needle had emerged on the wall of the restaurant/bar.

The community mural was developed in conjunction with the Space Coast Progressive Alliance and represents a message of unity and diversity. The goddess wears a crown of sewing needles.

"She is able to patch and stitch together," Henn said. "But she is also able to cut away hatred and evil with the scissors."

People in the community were invited to add quotes and poems to the patchwork surrounding the goddess.

Watching the artists — and even grabbing a paintbrush to join the fun — is just one part of the event, though. The rest of the week will be filled with opportunities to mingle with the artists and take home a piece of art to display or drive.

Chances to win a muralized 2006 Mazda 5 minivan are being sold for $20. Raffle tickets are available at the Anti-Gravity website (anti-gravityproject.com).

The artists will bring their work indoors and will paint on canvases from 7-11 p.m. Wednesday night during BL_NK SPACES, a drink and draw event at Maxine's Spa, 1590 Highland Ave., Melbourne. Admission is free; finished paintings will be auctioned off at the end of the night.

Money from the raffle and the auction will go to EGAD and next year's festival.

During SKOOL’D from 7-10 p.m. Thursday, the artists will talk about their work during a panel discussion at Standard Collective Studio, 559 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne.

A Fusion Block Party is planned for noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, with music, food and pop-up boutiques. That event will take place throughout the Eau Gallie Arts District.

Manzano loves visiting the area each day to see how the murals are changing the complexion of the neighborhood.

"It's like opening a present for me on Chrismas," he said.

Email Leonard at sleonard@floridatoday.com.

Facebook: /SuzyFlemingLeonard

Instagram: @SuzyLeonard