With unbridled passion, Marion Deschenes fills our phone interview with talk of the New Brunswick art scene. Curator of the successful annual art show, Art In Your Face, Marion is once again at the captain’s helm, this time to turn her beloved art show into a virtual event.

It was 2017 when Marion first curated Art In Your Face, now a permanent feature of the annual Riverview Sunfest. Without losing a breath, Marion tells me “I love Riverview. For years I had a dream to sell my paintings along the waterfront. I finally approached the city with my request, and they gave me this amazing opportunity to involve a whole lot of other artists.”

Sponsored by Sunfest with everything an up-and-coming show needs for success, Marion explains, “they were so helpful with advertising and setup. I was building this by the seat of my pants, so I was grateful for the help.” The result was a stream of local artists nestled along the riverbank; art enthusiasts purchasing and admiring the variety of visual art on display; known and unknown artists finding success; and the efficaciouness of the show growing each year.

In March 2020, the countrywide shut down reached Riverview, canceling Sunfest, but even in social collapse, New Brunswickers stand by each other. “They told me if I was able to make a virtual version to go for it. They would share it on the Sunfest website.”

“Going online is a little weird because art for me is something you have to see, you have to feel, you have to smell almost.” Disappointment notable in her voice, I attempt to concur when Marion upliftingly adds: “to help the economy in our area and help all of these artists that aren't able to show, this is what I can do.” One such grateful artist is Ji Hyang Ryu.

A part of Art In Your Face since its conception, Ji is a prominent painter and art teacher who was forced to shut down her latest exhibit and has since lost her art studio. Finally hopeful in expectation of this virtual event, Ji will be doing a live painting from her home studio. “We’re moving forward. I just want people’s eyes to see art.”

Art In Your Face, Virtual Art Show will premiere June 27, 2020. “When the event page goes live at 10:00 AM, it’ll be like the doors opening to a gallery. Visitors will see the artwork on display and be able to interact with the artist live by clicking on their photo or bio.” From their own page, each artist will be offering various interactive experiences, including point of purchase.

Streaming until 5:00 PM, the event will also include live artist events, virtual studio tours, artist Q&A’s, door prizes, and giveaways. “We need to make the most of what we have and support each other” declares Chrystal Moynagh, a seasoned local painter who has been with Art In Your Face from the start. “I am so excited for this.”

With forty New Brunswick artists already signed up, Marion avows, “we have such a wide range of artistic talent. Some are amateurs, some are full-time artists, some have been artists for years and years.” Though most are Moncton-based, Marion explains “I would love to see artists from all over New Brunswick come and be a part of our show.”

Melissa LeGresley, another Art In Your Face veteran, offers her optimistic view on going virtual. “It's going to be more challenging to make people aware that [the virtual art show] exists but there's a lot more we can do. I’ve offered to do my very first live resin pour. It’s not something you can do on the waterfront. But this seems like a great opportunity to show people what I do and bring something different to the event.”

From the artists I interviewed, it is clear to me that New Brunswickers are innovative and talented. And while the Art In Your Face, Virtual Art Show is going to be very different from the waterfront edition, it’s shaping up to be an incredible event.

If you are a New Brunswick visual artist and want to be a part of this event, please contact Marion Deschenes directly.

—Darin Squire

Darin Squire is a freelance writer, storyteller, poet, cat dad, and traveler. Currently working on his BA in English and Creative Writing at The University of New Brunswick, Darin is happily spending his summer as an intern writer for CreatedHere. Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Darin currently lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick. His perspective as a “Come From Away” writer gives us new insight on the place we call home.

[The New Regular] Darin Squire | Riverview’s Annual Art Show Goes Virtual

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