Third Shift Set To Transform Uptown Saint John

Last year’s inaugural nighttime contemporary art event, Third Shift, was by all accounts a huge success. From Acre Architects’ dramatic transformation of Grannan Lane into a sparkling public park space, to Jud Crandall’s dream-like Field Recording of winter storm sounds, the night of art and magic captured the hearts and imaginations of the people of Saint John.

Third Shift is put on by Third Space Gallery, Saint John’s artist-run centre for contemporary art. The purpose of the event is to make contemporary art accessible and engaging to the public and is part of a worldwide trend toward art-at-night events.

“Last year we were really grateful for people’s willingness to engage with art that was unfamiliar to them and also grateful for the many collaborations that made the event possible,” says Third Space executive director Emily Saab on the success of 2015’s Third Shift event.

Holocene Installation by Sam Blue and Jeff McLennan (Mark Hemmings)

Last Thursday night at Picaroon’s General Store, the lineup for this year’s Third Shift event was unveiled and it promises to be bigger and better than last year’s event. The show will take place on Friday, August 19th from 7pm to midnight, once again in the Trinity Royal heritage district of Uptown Saint John. It’s sure to be one of the premiere events of the summer. Says Nancy Tissington, executive director of Uptown Saint John on the importance of the event, “Third Shift vision instills a positive vibe that we love our arts and we celebrate the people in our community.”

Due to the success of the previous event, this year’s call for submissions drew three times as many applicants, from all over North America and Europe.

New this year, Third Shift will be collaborating with other local art organizations, featuring the works of Sculpture Saint John, an experimental marching band from Open Arts and a performance by the teachers at Sistema NB.

Fan favourites Acre Architects will be back for a second time, as well as a slew of local and international artists. Featured projects include The Society of Anonymous Drawers (S.A.D.), Rainbow Face by Beck and Collin Stafford, Secrets and Light by Kate MacDonald, and Fishy Business by Mary Collier Fleet, among others.