Q: What is THIRD SHIFT: RECLAMATION? Where does it take place?
A: THIRD SHIFT: RECLAMATION aims to reflect in, around, and outside what once belonged to us as artists, individuals, and observers. Works in this festival intend to challenge the barriers, constraints, and limitations imposed by our ongoing lives, reclaiming our landscapes, our interpersonal relationships, and things we have grown distant from. From installation to performance and everything in between, THIRD SHIFT explores the manners in which we relearn how to be human, how to take a step back and create something for ourselves. Throughout the area of Uptown Saint John, art pieces that delve into the annual theme are installed and displayed, many made interactively, allowing for viewers to immerse themselves in the artwork and collective experience. THIRD SHIFT not only includes an opening night of art, but workshop events, nighttime screenings, and community speaker panels, too, as it spans over the course of three days as a free festival for all ages.

Q: Wait – what is Third Space Gallery? Is that the same as THIRD SHIFT?
A: Not quite. Third Space Gallery is an itinerant artist-run centre located in Saint John, NB, committed to facilitating the education, understanding, and appreciation of contemporary art. It operates year-round, putting on members’ shows, art sales, exhibitions, book launches and much more in various locations throughout the Uptown area. THIRD SHIFT is one of its many, many projects.

Q: Can I become a member of Third Space?
A: Of course! Find more details here.

Q: Back to THIRD SHIFT. When does it happen?
A: This year’s festival happens Friday, August 18th (7pm-12am) through Sunday, August 20th, 2023, in beautiful Uptown Saint John.

Q: Where does this theme of RECLAMATION come from?
A: The aim for THIRD SHIFT’s theme is to seek out ways in which artworks explore different manners of self-expression and presence within the larger world around us. Reclamation as a theme goes beyond its current political landscapes, it observes the corners of our homes that we overlook all too often, the junk drawer of tools, notes, and knickknacks that we are too stubborn to toss out. While this theme holds heavy ties to ongoing actualities in our country and across the world, it also finds itself in the mundane, continuing life that we all experience. THIRD SHIFT: RECLAMATION offers an opportunity for artists and participants alike to delve into their experiences of personal reclamations, whether it be of a situation, community, industry, or our personal and collective environments. For the third year in a row, THIRD SHIFT retains this elongated experience through a common theme, “RECLAMATION”, and continues to curate a selection of works that present, challenge, and address these relevant and topical subject matters. 

Q: And RECLAMATION means…what, exactly?
A: RECLAMATION refers to the process of claiming something back or of reasserting a right. Within recent news, it speaks to a more monumental scale and reflects on the topics of colonialism and ownership of land. In the perspective of THIRD SHIFT, it also opens the door to memories, features, and corners of our lives as people and creators to revisit and renounce the constraints of our fast-paced, capitalist-oriented world. This year’s artworks in THIRD SHIFT: RECLAMATION challenge this theme through relevant subjects, from climate change, identity, personal histories, childhood hobbies, occupying space, and more. The artworks on display portray more than just a self-reflection, but amplified voices that often go underheard, allowing us to listen, see, and encourage growth within the overlooked corners of the world around us.

Q: Fantastic! Where can I find a map?
A: Hold your horses! Maps, times, locations, details on artist talks and other information will be made available closer to the festival. You will be able to find it on this website and in our beautiful festival guides. In the meantime, you can find information about what to expect right here. As the festival approaches, we’ll update the site to show works-in-progress and more! Follow @thirdspacegallery on Instagram to stay in the loop. We also have a Facebook event that you can join soon!

Q: What about accessibility notes?
A: We strive to make THIRD SHIFT as accessible as possible. In the weeks leading up to THIRD SHIFT, we will update this page and each individual installation with detailed notes regarding wheelchair access, washrooms, closed captioning, digital accessibility, and more.

Sign up for our newsletter here, and stay up to date with all the latest Third Space and THIRD SHIFT happenings. We hope to see you at THIRD SHIFT!