A year after violence broke out at Trenton Artworks Art All Night, the community spirit and appreciation of the arts has risen above all challenges.

Over 800 pieces of art displayed inside and outside the Roebling Wireworks Building marked the 13th annual Art All Night exhibition.

“Obviously a lot of work went into this, after we kind of collected ourselves after what happened last year we set our sights on making sure we could bring back art all night, in not only the best but safest way possible,” said Joseph Kuzemka, event director of Art All Night.

He said the amount of community support after last year’s shooting has been unparalleled in the state capital.

“I’m involved with a lot of Trenton community events and I’ve never seen anything as positive as the amount of support that we’ve received across the board,” Kuzemka said.

Last year’s exhibit was darkened when violence struck the exhibition in the early morning hours of June 17, 2018. Two groups began fighting inside the wireworks building and later began shooting at each other outside of Art All Night. Twenty two people were injured and one person died after the shoot out.

This year’s event included beefed up security with a wide variety of police and security officers visible throughout the event space. Access to the event was also restricted to two entrances and attendees had to go through a security check point.

The event will also close at 1 a.m. Sunday and reopen at 7 a.m. and run until 3 p.m.

Jeannie Davis, of Trenton, said that she thinks the new security measures are necessary in order for everyone to be able to enjoy the event.

“It shows that Artworks has continued to invest in the city,” Davis said. “They didn’t just give up on us.”

Davis has been coming to Art all Night for many years, bringing her children during the day, and then coming back at night on her own to enjoy the different atmosphere.

“The art is still incredible,” Davis said. “It shows how much the community is truly invested in rebuilding Trenton.”

Bruce Toth, the curator for Art All Night, said they did receive less art submissions than last year but the organization has been committed to keeping Art All Night going.

“This event isn’t going anywhere,” Toth said when reflecting on the challenges Artworks has had to overcome in order to get Art All Night back up and running.

“It was very important to us that once you got inside remains exactly the way you’ve always known Art All Night to be,” Kuzemka said.

First time attendees Jill Adomag and Keith O’Donnell of Ewing said the quality and range of the art has been impressive.

The pair decided to come out this year to support the community after last year’s shooting and have found themselves very impressed.

“I’m glad I came, there are a lot of good vibes and a lot of positive energy here,” Adomag said.

After such a positive first experience they are looking forward to coming back to Art All Night in the future.

Olivia Rizzo may be reached at orizzo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter@LivRizz. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us.nj.com/tips.

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