With a renewed sponsorship from VyStar Credit Union, Downtown Vision Inc. will continue its placemaking program for a fourth year.
DVI announced March 20 that it had scheduled 12 projects with VyStar’s support. The program is designed to generate activity Downtown through art, culture, food, music and storytelling.
Patricia McElroy, VyStar senior vice president and president of the VyStar Foundation, said in a news release that the financial institution’s partnership with DVI is “rooted in a shared belief that vibrant public spaces are essential to a strong, connected city.”
“This year’s projects reflect the creativity, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of our community, and we’re honored to support the artists and leaders who are transforming shared spaces into places where connection and culture thrive,” McElroy said.
The projects are:
• Evidence of Life printmaking workshops at Main Street Park, led by local visual artists Elai Rodney and Rion O.
• The Sitting Room, a six-week pop-up storytelling series featuring a brightly colored couch that will be moved to various locations.
• Breakfast Around the World, a rotating cultural breakfast experience curated by Noelle Maria and Noelle Barber of Flowers and Coffee.
• Duuuval Walls, a two-day festival creating a public art mural on an 800-foot wall along the Emerald Trail at Union Terminal Warehouse, 700 E. Union St., led by Samantha and Victor Alexander, with workshops, lectures and artist mixers. A portion of the trail runs through the historic warehouse.
• House Picnic Presented by Underwire Collective, a gathering at the RiversEdge park on the Southbank celebrating house music and music history, led by Bianca Dawson and Kensley Stewart.
• Duval to the World: A Flavorful Legacy of Black Chefs, a dining and drinking experience at Treaty Oak Park focusing on the culinary history of Jacksonville.
• Curated by Kalin Anderson, an outdoor dining experience led by Chef Naps of Moncrief. The location will be announced later.
• The Pop Out concert series honoring LaVilla’s history, led by DJ Larry Love and Karissa Hall at Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park.
• The Petite Jax, fine art installations in vacant storefronts, curated by Kandice Clark of Black Mural Map, 112 E. Adams St.
• Skyway Social, a party on the Skyway elevated tram system’s platforms, held in partnership with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.
• 41 East Duval, a small-business incubator featuring Konbini Labo by Elena Ohlander, Paulus Music Co. by Nicholas Kanobroski and KollectJax by Keegan Jervis and Hootie Shepherd.
• For the fourth year, events and clinics organized by The Block Skate Supply skateboarding shop at Artist Walk Skate Park.
More information is at DTJax.com/placemaking.
PlacemakingJax was introduced in 2022 by DVI’s Kady Yellow, the organization’s vice president of placemaking.
“These projects reflect the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of Jacksonville and thanks to VyStar Credit Union’s continued support and partnership, we can amplify community voices and create meaningful experiences that continue to bring people together in Downtown,” DVI CEO Jake Gordon said in the release.
Additional sponsors and partners for the placemaking program include the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida and the Downtown Investment Authority.
DVI is a not-for-profit that supports Downtown revitalization through such means as marketing, events, research and its Downtown Ambassadors program, which performs such duties as cleaning sidewalks and providing directions to visitors.
DVI is funded primarily by a self-assessment of Downtown property owners within a 1.3-square-mile Business Improvement District.