Channels
14-16 August 2026
THIRD SHIFT is a contemporary art festival presented by Third Space,
a not-for-profit artist-run centre in Saint John, New Brunswick, that includes temporary installations, interventions, performances, projections, and events.
Created as a platform for new experiences and communal exchange, THIRD SHIFT aims to offer Saint John citizens and visitors to the city a unique opportunity to engage with contemporary art and re-imagine urban space.
Wanderer’s Way
In 2026, the festival theme was Channels. It resonated with my interest in labyrinths as pathways that help people connect with their inner selves through movement.
My main project was a five-circuit labyrinth laid out on the lawn. I used painter’s tarps and pieces of pool noodles to create the path, securing the sections to the ground with metal staples. The total length of the path was around 70 metres! Thanks to the help of volunteers, we built the labyrinth in just one hour.
I put a stake with printed “Rules for walking the labyrinth” next to the entrance.
Rules to Labyrinth
Prepare at the Threshold:
Pause before entering to quiet your mind, breathe deeply, and set an intention.
Follow the Path:
There is only one path, so you cannot get lost. Follow it to the center, which represents the inner journey.
Pace and Etiquette:
Walk at your own comfortable pace. It is respectful to wait about one minute between people entering to ensure a solitary experience.
Mindfulness:
Treat the walk as a moving meditation. The journey is a metaphor for life’s twists and turns.
I loved watching people wander through the pattern, follow the winding path, and slow down. Some visitors asked me, “What is the right way to walk a labyrinth?” My answer was simple: “It’s up to you! Find the entrance and walk in!”
The children had no trouble figuring it out! They jumped right in and ran around, chasing one another. Thankfully, my setup was sturdy enough to handle their enthusiasm and not so easy to destroy.
As darkness fell, the solar lights came on, illuminating the path. The labyrinth began to look like an enchanted portal, the kind you might discover in a mysterious forest.
Alongside the large labyrinth, I also offered several smaller ones that people could use as fidget toys. These little labyrinths invited visitors to connect with my art not only visually, but through touch as well.
