“There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about,” said poet and author Oscar Wilde.
Downtown Vision Inc. is hoping that concept will prove to be correct after the nonprofit’s monthly First Wednesday Art Walk made headlines and led local broadcast news for two days last week after a shooting.
Two men sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the incident just off Laura Street between Hemming Park and the Jacksonville Landing.
“People were disappointed,” said Katherine Hardwick, DVI spokeswoman. “Art Walk is a place for diversity and peaceful expression.”
Not surprisingly, the news spread on social media within minutes.
“It was a very unfortunate and isolated incident. People were in disbelief that there could be violence at Art Walk,” said DVI CEO Jake Gordon.
He said the subject began showing up on Twitter at a record pace.
“I think more people tweeted about Art Walk Wednesday night than any other time since I’ve been here. It was trending,” said Gordon, who became the organization’s top executive in May 2015.
“There is a lot of support for Art Walk in the community. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Some of the people were worried that Art Walk could end,” he said.
Soon after the shooting, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said, based on its investigation, the random incident was not connected to Art Walk.
That doesn’t mean DVI and the sheriff’s office aren’t evaluating the safety aspect of the event that brings thousands of people of all ages Downtown each month.
Michelle Cook, sheriff’s office director of patrol and enforcement, said the office works with event organizers to ensure there is a good public safety plan.
“We remind all event-goers that obeying the law, staying aware of their surroundings, staying with friends — this is important no matter where you go when attending events,” she added.
Hardwick said security personnel are stationed along every block of Art Walk. In addition to 18 off-duty police officers, a private security firm and DVI’s ambassadors also help ensure the public’s safety during the event.
DVI is consulting with the sheriff’s office on staffing levels and might consider other measures, such as improving lighting along Downtown streets.
“We will implement as much as we can as fast as we can,” Hardwick said.
In the meantime, planning is underway for the next installment of Art Walk on Feb. 1.
“We’re not going to let an isolated incident ruin a great event,” Gordon said.
The traditional theme for the second month of the year is “love,” due to Valentine’s Day being in February, but this year it will take on greater significance.
“Without reliving what happened, we want to celebrate Art Walk for being about peace and love and make it bigger and better than ever,” said Hardwick.
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