ArtWorks 2014 poster is by Ryan Speer

Poster for 2014 ArtWorks is by Ryan Speer

By PAM HARBAUGH

The sweetest little outdoor art show this side of Woodstock takes place this weekend.

It’s the annual ArtWorks, which runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday around Highland Avenue in the Eau Gallie Arts District.

In addition to viewing beautiful art, most of it for sale, you get to see artists actually working at this festival, hence the event’s name. The Foosaner Art Museum opens its doors for free admission this weekend, so be sure to get to its galleries 2 p.m. Saturday to attend the artist walk-through with painter Larry Leach.

The Brevard Symphony Orchestra will host an instrument petting zoo in front of its headquarters at the Winchester House, which is across the street from the Foosaner.

The new “Art Outpost at ArtWorks” for children ages 3 to 15 will be held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Eau Gallie square.

And, yes, there will be food trucks. There must always be food trucks.

Organizers are thrilled with the abiding appeal of this event, especially Eau Gallie Florist owner Link Johnsten, the visionary who got this going.

He cites the growth in the number of artists and the amount of the purse which is now at $25,000.

“The first couple of years, it was nothing, zilch,” he said. “And then we had about $1,500, then we came up with about $2,500.
“The best of show was $500. This year it’s $3,500. It’s pretty nice.”

There will also be music, food and a literary element to the event. The “Meet the Authors Book Fair” runs 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days in the Eau Gallie Civic Center. More than 40 authors will be selling and signing books and chatting with visitors.

Be sure to say “Hi” to Rockledge author Chris Kridler, who recently finished her beautifully evocative Storm Seekers trilogy about tornado chasers and the quirky, romantic people who love them.

For more information, visit http://www.artworksofeaugallie.org.