SHEDIAC, N.B., Monday, February 9, 2026 — Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the Hom’Art Festival is proud to announce the return of the ArtLove semi-final tour, which will travel to 17 municipalities across the Maritime provinces in the spring and summer of 2026.

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In 2025, the Hom’Art Festival team visited 10 municipalities to present the ArtLove semi-finals. This first tour was met with remarkable enthusiasm from both the public and participating artists, confirming the growing interest in this unique artistic event. Nearly 100 artists took part, either as painters or as jury members, with the goal of representing their municipality at the grand finale.

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Returning for a second consecutive year, ArtLove is a live painting competition where local visual artists create an original work in just 20 minutes, in front of an audience and in an electrifying atmosphere that highlights their talent and spontaneity. The winner of each semi-final is determined by a 50% public vote and a 50% evaluation by a panel of judges, ensuring a balance between audience emotion and artistic expertise.

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The ArtLove grand finale will bring together all semi-final winners on Saturday, September 12, 2026, in Shediac, as part of the Hom’Art Festival.

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“Our team is thrilled to present the ArtLove tour for a second consecutive year, in nearly double the number of municipalities,” said Julie Arsenault, Executive Director of the Hom’Art Festival. “The energy at each stop and the camaraderie among the artists were extraordinary. We saw artists meeting for the first time, even though they lived in the same community. Amateurs and professionals come together, and the atmosphere is simply beautiful.”

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“I am proud to see ArtLove shine throughout the Maritimes,” added François Poirier, President of the Board of Directors. “It is a source of pride to see an initiative that started with a new festival six years ago continue to grow stronger and reach farther each year, while giving local artists increased visibility.”

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The semi-final tour will stop in several communities, where audiences will be able to watch artists race against the clock, admire stunning works of art, and take part in a silent auction featuring the pieces created on site.

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ArtLove 2026 Semi-Final Tour Schedule

• Edmundston, N.B. — April 7

• Campbellton Regional Community, N.B. — April 8

• Belle-Baie, N.B. — April 9

• Caraquet, N.B. — April 10

• Miramichi, N.B. — April 11

• Tantramar, N.B. — April 16

• Woodstock, N.B. — April 17

• Saint John, N.B. — April 18

• Cape Breton Regional Municipality, N.S. — May 26

• Chéticamp, N.S. — May 27

• Wolfville, N.S. — May 29

• Truro, N.S. — May 30

• Summerside, P.E.I. — May 31

• Charlottetown, P.E.I. — June 1

• Shediac, N.B. — June 2

• Yarmouth, N.S. — August 11

• Clare, N.S. — August 12

Watch the 2025 ArtLove recap video at the following link: Tournée Éclat d'Art / Art Love Tour 2025 - recap video

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Artists are now invited to express their interest starting today by visiting shediachomart.com. Information regarding tickets and event access will be announced in the coming weeks.

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For media inquiries:
Julie Arsenault – Executive Director
julie.arsenault@shediaclobsterfestival.ca
(506) 744-0109
 
All other inquiries:
info@shediaclobsterfestival.ca
(506) 532-1122