Murphy – A video of a confrontation between the director of the Murphy ArtWalk and co-authors selling their book downtown during the Nov. 3 event has provoked angry responses across multiple social media platforms.
The video shows part of the interaction between ArtWalk director Donna Duval and local resident Brenda FireEagle Biddix, author of the book Pond Water.
There are two versions of the video: one that was live-streamed on TikTok by the book’s co-author, Rian Mileti, who has around 150,000 followers; and a shorter version narrated by Mileti.
The longer video has been set to private. Biddix and Mileti declined requests from the Cherokee Scout to see the full video.
The edited video starts with a shot of Biddix seated at a small table in a downtown parking lot, where she was selling autographed copies of her book. Someone is yelling off camera; it is unclear whether the person shouting is Duval; if it is Duval, whether she is yelling at Biddix and Mileti; or what was being yelled.
The footage transitions to video of Mileti added later. In it, he takes a deep breath while making a self-soothing gesture with one hand.
In his narrative, Mileti said Biddix’s friend invited her to sit in front of her store to sell her new book during the ArtWalk.
The video transitions back to the scene, with Duval still off camera and Biddix telling Duval that she had permission to set up at that spot. Cutting back to Mileti, he adds, “That being said, she doesn’t believe her.”
The video returns to Duval telling Biddix that the property owner may have given her permission, followed by an unintelligible comment.
Cutting back to Mileti, he urges viewers to support Biddix and buy her book, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to her. Mileti does not mention that he co-authored the book.
Mileti said Biddix, an award-winning poet, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease about 13 years. She has been unable to write due to tremors associated with the illness.
“It’s interesting how a little book about a pond has made such a splash,” he said.
Mileti was unwilling to share the entire video, saying it was set to private and he was trying to avoid further embarrassment for all those involved. He did describe the interaction.
“She had introduced herself to us as the ArtWalk director inquiring who had directed us to this location as she pounded our table,” he said. “Upon learning that … the owner of the property had granted us permission, Brenda explained her physical challenges and the difficulty she faces in moving around.
“Consequently, she (the ArtWalk director) added that despite (the property owner’s) approval, another artist had already been arranged to use the space. Faced with her then running off customers, we chose to depart to avoid further conflict. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that no artist replaced us in the end.”
For her part, Biddix described the incident as a misunderstanding. She said the store owner gave her permission a month before, and the ArtWalk director didn’t know.
“We live here ... starting fights isn’t what we want to do. We just want people to treat each other better. Having 100,000 people get back at her (the ArtWalk director) isn’t the point. We want things to be better,” Mileti said.
“This was to help Brenda pay for medical help through her book sales ... I didn’t want it to become what it has ... drama.”
Town officials looked into concerns raised by the video and the resulting social media backlash.
On Feb. 1, Mayor Tim Radford, Town Manager Chad Simons and Downtown Director Laura Lachance met with Duval to discuss the allegations made in the video and learn more about how the situation was handled.
“At this stage, the town is not taking sides but rather seeks to fully understand the situation without bias,” the town said in a release. “We are eager to review the entire interaction to ensure that any decisions regarding the ArtWalk and related community activities are based on factual information.”
The release described Biddix as an “unregistered book vendor.” Duval denied that she screamed and cursed during the encounter, and said witnesses can verify her denial, although there is no evidence in the release indicating that town officials contacted any other witnesses to the incident.
They said Duval acknowledged Biddix’s right to sell her books, but emphasized the importance of following the registration process for the event’s organizational purposes.
“It was also clarified that the vendor was not asked to leave but was merely requested to move slightly to better fit within the designated vendor area, and was provided information on how to register for future ArtWalk events,” according to the release.
“She emphasized there is no charge for vendors to register or to participate in the ArtWalk. Business owners may choose to sponsor the event if they feel their business benefits from the additional foot traffic.”
Mileti said he and Biddix left the scene without being asked.
“I do wish I remembered what she said … she was just running people off from the table while she was there. That’s why we left,” he said.
Town officials were not at the scene and said because of conflicting narratives, they want access to the original, complete and unedited footage.
“We are eager to review the entire interaction to ensure that any decisions regarding the ArtWalk and related community activities are based solely on factual information,” the release says.
“The Town of Murphy recognizes the complaint as primarily a matter between the individual vendor and the Valley River Arts Guild, which organizes the ArtWalk. The town ensures that all groups holding events or protests on town streets undergo a standardized permit process, facilitated by the police department with those permits signed by the police chief and mayor.”
Town officials invited downtown business owners and community members to share their experiences related to the ArtWalk, whether positive or negative, with town officials.
“The Town of Murphy urges the producer of the video to come forward with the unedited footage to aid in this investigation,” the release says. “Our goal is to ensure that the ArtWalk remains a positive and inclusive event for all participants and attendees.”
For details or to share your experiences regarding the ArtWalk, email Lachance (downtowndirector@townofmurphync.com) or Town Manager Chad Simons (manager@townofmurphync.com).