About the Art Farm
deer crossing - the art farm society
With the British Columbia rain forest behind us and the Pacific Ocean and coastal mountains below, deer crossing the art farm is a not-for-profit society located on the Sunshine Coast, an hour and a half from Vancouver.
Mandate: To provide an environment that inspires and nurtures art that revitalizes the connection between people and the planet.
History: Inspired by a visit to the Theatre Du Soleil - a theatre company that lives, rehearses and performs out of an old ammunitions factory in the outskirts of Paris - Cecil, Ruth and their son Laen Hershler wanted to create a similar company in Western Canada. Husband and wife team Sandy Buck and Chad Hershler, who realized on their first date they shared a dream of creating an artist oasis outside of the city, jumped on board with the plans. Within six months, the collective had found a five acre farm on the Sunshine Coast, a forty minute drive and forty minute ferry ride away from the big city Vancouver. After time on the property, however, the dream shifted. In an age of climate change, food insecurity and resource scarcity, five acres of prime real estate suddenly seemed like a lot of room to occupy. Should they give up the dream and start growing vegetables, making cheese? Were they artists - or were they farmers? That's when they realized they didn't have to choose: they're both. They're art farmers; growing art for a cooler planet.
Founders
Chad Hershler
Sandy Buck
Cecil Hershler
Ruth Hershler
Laen Hershler