A popular summer art festival is inviting the public to see creativity in motion, and maybe even get their hands a little dirty.
The THIRD SHIFT contemporary art festival is returning to Uptown Saint John with a new theme called “Revolve.”
This year’s focus is on how change shapes creativity, community and the spaces we live in.
The festival is organized by Third Space Gallery, a non-profit artist-run centre based in Saint John.
It features temporary installations, performances and participatory works that transform overlooked parts of the city into public art spaces.
Manny Travers, executive director of Third Space Gallery and lead organizer of the festival, said this year’s lineup includes more interactive installations than ever before.
“In previous years, we’ve had a couple of interactive pieces, but this year the amount is really exponential,” Travers said in an interview.
“The festival invites people to engage and get their hands dirty with the projects that will be showing this year.”
The theme “Revolve” was selected by Third Space’s Artist in Residence, Tony Nicholas, a two-spirit multidisciplinary artist based in Fredericton.
Nicholas’ work, which often explores nature and abstract forms through tattoo art, helped shape the festival’s creative direction and visual identity.
Travers said the theme also reflects what’s happening in Saint John right now — a city in transition.
“We’re seeing a lot of new growth and development, but also change in the businesses and communities around us,” he said.
“Just like in art, there’s always something to return to or reimagine.”

More than 40 artists, collectives and community partners will take part in this year’s festival.
THIRD SHIFT uses a peer-juried selection process, with past artists and local creatives helping to choose the projects that best reflect the city and its people.
The festival runs from August 15 to 17. It opens with “Third Watch,” a showcase of experimental films and audio-visual art at the BMO Studio Theatre.
Installations and performances are scheduled to take over Uptown Saint John from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., followed by a late-night karaoke event at Haven Music Hall.
The final day of programming includes artist talks and a panel discussion focused on the theme of healing.
Workshops will also be offered throughout the weekend, including sessions on narrative worldbuilding and polymer clay sculpting. All events are free and open to all ages.
Travers said the goal is to help people think differently about what art can be — and where it can happen.
“We often think of public art as something that’s Instagrammable,” he said.
“But it’s also good to have ugly art too — art that engages people and allows them to take a little bit home with themselves.”
Since launching in 2015, THIRD SHIFT has aimed to support emerging and established artists while encouraging the public to reimagine urban space through contemporary art.
Installations have appeared in places like King Square, Charlotte Street and other underused corners of the city.
“Even if it’s only temporary, it shows the community that an empty parking lot can become something meaningful,” Travers said.
More information about the festival, including artist lineups and event guides, is available through Third Space Gallery’s social media channels.