Art Farm Blog

Yup - the AGM came back, rain and all, for another fun-packed day of reconnecting and recalibrating at the art farm hub. Despite the showers over 30 artfarmers showed up to catch up and throw in their ideas and energy for our 2010 season. Highlights included our very first powerpoint presentation (oh yes, we're in the big leagues now!), soccer in the rain with the boys and a jaw-dropping presentation by Diego and Marlene Samper on their Calanoa Project in the Amazon. We also welcomed a new board member to the team, Joanne Norris, and weclomed back two seasoned board veterans, Cecil Hershler and Marlene Samper. Thanks to all who braved the weather and to our core team for all their work and dedication getting us ready for this season and preparing us for the seasons ahead...

Launching the season!

On a wet blustery early April morning, the art farm launched its new season in the guise of its new website right here at www.deercrossingtheartfarm.org. And for its new season, the art farm has re-tooled, re-sharpened and re-focussed: it's all about you, folks - yes, YOU. The artfarmers. We realized a few things in the off season. First: that there are a lot of people out there with great ideas, visions, passion and skills to share when it comes to creating change in our lives and communities. Second: that these people all gravitate to the art farm and our vision. And third: that these people are the art farm. Sure, we can facilitate bringing these people together to share their work and ideas, but its the people themselves that create the change. So for 2010, the art farm is making it known: we're not just a farm, we're a movement. Of PEOPLE. And we're growing. EVERY DAY. So if you haven't yet, jump on and start artfarming! And if you have already, thank you! Looking forward to seeing you all soon, here on-line, at the hub or somewhere out there in our communities linking the arts with nature and making some change HAPPEN.

Winter on the farm

The frenetic pace of Summer dissipated, Fall brought more cobbing and finishing touches on other building projects, and now the art farm gets set for Winter hibernation.

Hibernation doesn't mean much sleep, however. It's prep, prep and more prep as we put together our 2010 season. Stay tuned, we'll be finalizing plans over the next few months with announcements to come in January.

Thanks again to all of our members, volunteers, staff and board for making 2009 such a productive and inspiring year. Here's to the many more to come!

Cobby Days

The farm was action-packed the last two weeks of August as the Mudgirls and Good Earth Builders taught over a dozen participants how to turn sand, clay, straw and water into walls. Like magic, the cob kitchen rose before our eyes

(working on the oven)

RETURNed

(Sunshine Coast guitar duo Tinfish performing on the Alder Forest Walk)

The weather co-operated just enough on the August 8/9 weekend, as over 175 guests turned out for the second annual open house RETURN on the art farm. With everything from sculpture to mask performance to spanish guitar to live-pressed poetry,

RETURN had something for audiences of all ages through-out the farm and surrounding forest.

(The Eternal Picnic by the Critical Mask Theare Collective)

With record-smashing numbers and over 35 new members signing up, the art farm was encouraged by the support and excitement generated by all the people who participated and attended. Special thanks go out to all our sponsors, neighbors, volunteers, staff and, of course, artists who made the weekend an event we'll be "returning" to for years to come.

Art Farm Blog

(Sunshine Coast guitar duo Tinfish performing on the Alder Forest Walk)

(The Eternal Picnic by the Critical Mask Theare Collective)

(Gathering Grace by Vancouver installation artist Shirley Wiebe)