Johnny Vitale, owner of Overspray Art Space, paints free, colorful signs with bold lettering for businesses after the recent hurricanes. Photo by Johnny Vitale
After two hurricanes devastated Gulfport and the beaches, artist Johnny Vitale wanted to help.
He’d recently relocated his graffiti school, Overspray Art Space to a new place next to his warehouse studio in Gulfport. Its first class took place in October, between Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
While Vitale drove around the city amid the destruction, he saw a few open businesses with makeshift “Yes, We’re Open.” signs. But, they were hard to notice.
Overspray Art Space Signs
Vitale took items from his own debris piles such as panels of a shed and painted large, colorful signs with bold lettering expressing the same message.
Currently, he’s giving them to local businesses for free and offering to make custom ones if people drop off paintable materials.
For example, a group from Middle Grounds Grill in Treasure Island brought Vitale old campaign signs to paint. The business hopes to use the signs to promote its fundraiser for employees who were displaced by the storms.
“The idea is just to offer up something for the community,” he said. “I’ll do as many as I can, until I can’t.”
Those interested in signs can find them at the back of Overspray Art Space.
“The idea is just to offer up something for the community,” artist Johnny Vitale said about his upcycled signs. “I’ll do as many as I can, until I can’t.” Photo by Maggie Duffy
Vitale and Overspray Art Space
Vitale’s prolific crews The Vitale Bros and Up and Over Murals have painted murals across the Tampa Bay area for decades. There is no sign of them stopping: The next big project is a massive mural for the new Largo City Hall.
Overspray started in July of 2023 in a shared location with a bicycle business on the Pinellas Trail in St. Petersburg. It sold spray paint and held a series of graffiti camps.
They were a hit with kids and adults trying their hands at the art form. They taught a variety of styles such as block and bubble letters and the intricate Wildstyle.
Arts All Around!
The Gabber Newspaper covers live theater and art across South Pinellas and, when we find something worth the drive, in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota areas.
Graffiti School in Gulfport
Vitale moved Overspray earlier this year because the other business expanded and relocated. The graffiti school will offer classes year-round at the new Gulfport location.
Because the previous location was smaller, the classes took place outside. Vitale had to rent tents and tables. At the new space the classes happen inside, where garage doors at the front and back open to create ventilation.
Want More Business News?
For more business news, subscribe to The Weekly and The Beach Barnacle, our two weekly newsletters. Make thegabber.com your homepage to stay up-to-date on all the news happening in Gulfport, South Pinellas, and the Beaches.
At the new space the classes happen inside, where garage doors at the front and back open to create ventilation. Photo by Maggie Duffy
There’s enough room for dedicated tables to stay permanently. They’re decorated with imagery from iconic graffiti artists like Keith Haring and Shepard Fairy for inspiration.
Videos of recorded lessons and the history of graffiti stream on a monitor hanging above a vibrantly patterned boombox and microphone.
What’s Next for Overspray?
The next class is a mural workshop. It will happen in conjunction with the Shine Mural Festival on Nov. 9. Another class on Nov. 16 will focus on can control. Classes are $60 per person and includes paint.
Overspray Art Space, 5013 20th Ave. S., Gulfport. oversprayartspace.com, 727-771-5359.
We’re the calm during the storm. No hype, only help!
Bookmark The Gabber Newspaper’s storm coverage page for quick access to relevant tropical storm updates. No hype, no guessing, just updates on shelters, sandbags, and closures. And sign up for text alerts to get real-time guidance and prep advice when there’s a named storm heading our way. Also, check out our downtown Gulfport, marina, and beach web cams.
Team Gabber brought back the print version of the newspaper, and we’ve redesigned our website to make it easier for you to get the news. We’re not out of the woods yet, and every little bit helps pay our reporters, printer, and other expenses. Support local news and families — donate now to keep The Gabber Newspaper serving the community it loves!
Please support local news and The Gabber Newspaper!
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
