Susan Staresina, a local artist living in Sackville, New Brunswick, is opening the Shediac Art Gallery this summer to provide a dedicated space for up-and-coming artists to show and sell their work. Staresina, who moved to New Brunswick from the Toronto area during the pandemic after a Google search for quality of life, transitioned from working as a secretary to painting full-time in 2023, inspired by the landscapes and buildings of the Maritimes.
This matters because it highlights grassroots efforts to support emerging artists in smaller communities, offering a platform for local talent that might otherwise lack visibility. The gallery also reflects broader trends of pandemic-driven relocation and the growing role of small-town art scenes in fostering creative economies outside major urban centers.