Gov. cheers: ‘Go on Art All Night!’

Embracing resilience and triumphing over tragedy, the Trenton community supported the return of Art All Night festival in the City this past weekend.

With beefed up law enforcement following last year’s tragic incident, the 24-hour Artworks event was scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Saturday and to end at its usual time Sunday at 3 p.m., but there was a significant break from 1 to 7 a.m., for this year only.

This year, there were two public entrances to the event that the staff closed during the break as they asked patrons to leave at 1 a.m., and invited them to return at 7 a.m.

Artworks Director Lauren Otis explained that, “We want everyone to be comfortable…coming back, so we decided to close the event in the wee hours, but next year we’ll be back 24-hours.”

Otis appreciated turnout to see the art by 6 p.m. Saturday. He also said that more than 900 artists who

promised to continue to support the fest submitted artworks, but there were about 500 less than last year.

This year’s incident-free Art All Night event depicts the City’s beauty, with everything coming “together in a perfect triumphant storm,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who spoke to a positive crowd at about 5:30 p.m.  Saturday.

Gov. Murphy said, “Art measures the soul of this particular community.” He believes that whatever takes place in Trenton affects the entire State of New Jersey.

Thanking all the supporters including City workers, law enforcement, artists, and the community at large, the Gov. officially kicked off the event by cheering it on.

“Go on Art All Night!” he said.