Neptune Grill’s new mural, painted by Gulfport artist Kiersten Long, pays homage to owner Dia Vartsakis’ Greek heritage.
Photo by Maggie Duffy
Just shy of a year since it was devastated by Hurricane Helene, Gulfport’s beloved Neptune Grill reopened in August. Now, a new mural pays homage to owner Dia Vartsakis’ Greek heritage.
It’s being painted by Kiersten Long, whose murals have brightened up garages on many Gulfport homes and paid tribute to music legend John Prine.
Long said Vartsakis approached her about painting the mural before the restaurant reopened, about four months ago.
“I was really honored, because I know there’s a ton of muralists, but (Vartsakis) really wanted to go local and get a Gulfport artist,” Long said. “I think it is amazing to sort of give back, because our community was hit.”
Gulfport artist Kiersten Long painting a scene of the Greek island Santorini on the side of Neptune Grill.
Photo by Cameron HealyNeptune Grill’s New Mural
Vartsakis had a very specific vision for the mural, Long said, a trait she appreciates from clients. It’s inspired by the Greek island Santorini, located on the Aegean Sea.
The scene depicts the island’s hallmark stark white architecture accented with cobalt blue roofs, perched along the coast of the same azure sea. Long was still working on the companion panel, which will depict the city landscape.
All around the restaurant’s exterior, Long painted Greek vases filled with bougainvillea plants that climb up the facade. She created shadows, giving the perfect sun-soaked effect.
Painted bright blue shutters and a Greek key motif, not to mention Neptune’s location across from Boca Ciega Bay, really transports you to Santorini.
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All around the restaurant’s exterior, Kiersten Long painted Greek vases filled with bougainvillea plants that climb up the facade.
Photo by Maggie DuffyGulfport Artist Kiersten Long
Being hired to paint the mural was a bit of a turning point for Long. Regular mural gigs had dried up after the hurricanes, and she was teaching full time, she said.
But Vartsakis encouraged her to do it. And since then, with people always passing by to stop her and ask about her work, she’s now booked with mural jobs through the spring.
Long’s scene depicts the island’s hallmark stark white architecture accented with cobalt blue roofs, perched along the coast of the same azure sea.
Photo by Kiersten Long
“That’s the heart of Gulfport,” Long said. People want to support the community, she said, the same way Neptune’s regular customers are so happy its back open.
And she sees the mural as a symbol of Gulfport’s resiliency.
“It gives people hope that we are recovering,” she said. “It’s slowly happening, but you can see it’s happening.”
Neptune Grill, 5501 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. neptunegrillgulfport.com, 727-623-4823.
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