Art Farm Blog

Strategic Planning
REACHing Forward

For the last two Wednesday mornings in April, a dedicated group of volunteer REACH planners dug into some of the more challenging questions for the initiative. Now that we have a clear(er) vision of the scope and ambition of a shared work space for social and creative entrepreneurs on the coast, what challenges lie in our way? What does our community already have that we don't need to duplicate? What community organizations, government bodies, businesses might be willing to contribute to the process? What larger movements and trends in the province, the country, the world are out there for us to tap into? From there, we dove into more of the nuts and bolts of the Strategic Plan: what strategies do we want to employ to overcome these challenges and take advantage of these opportunities? What tactics will support these strategies? 

These were tough, engaging and thought-provoking sessions - special thanks to all those who attended and threw themselves into it. Valerie Nash, our facilitator extraordinaire, is now hard at work compiling all the ideas, feedback and planning. She'll have our first draft Strategic Plan ready for further ideas and feedback by the middle of the month.  In the meantime, stay tuned for our REACH on-line forum for a chance to discuss the project with the community.

Not sure what REACH is? Check out www.deercrossingtheartfarm.org/reach for more.

Read More
art by Corine Perier www.corineperier.com
Circus at the End of the World 2012

On Friday, April 27th the third Rainforest Circus collaboration began! Steve Weave showed up with, what else a full drum kit so everyone could get warmed up in style to our favourite movement game, BIG BOOTY. (a call and response game played in the round while trying to keep the beat) Was it fun? oh YA and it started off a creative session that led to many idea for this years "Circus at The End of the World" during the Synchronicity Festival Aug 24th - 26th.  Stay tuned for more

Read More
DSCN8211.jpg
After school Art Classes at Landale Elementary

deer crossing in partnership with Gibsons Community Schools, started a 4 week after school art workshop at Landale Elementary School during the months of April/ May 2012. Eleven students enrolled and, led by artist Sandy Buck, are exploring the world around them using many fun and interactive techniques and repurposed material. By the end of the 4 weeks, students will create their own models of their personal sculputure playland.  

Read More
IMG_2119.jpg
And a vision is born...

Another great turn-out for REACH's inaugural planning session this past Wednesday at the SCRD Chaster House near Bonniebrook Beach. Close to 30 participants contributed their thoughts, ideas and visions of what a shared space could look like and provide for social entrepreneurs and diverse sectors here on the coast.  Artists, planners, farmers, local politicians, programmers, designers, consultants, directors of local non-profits and various other community leaders brainstormed, discussed and, with the guidance of facilitator Val Nash, managed to carve out the beginnings of a collective vision for the space. Many thanks again to all who attended, to Johan Stroman and the SCRD for providing the space, to those who pitched in, to Isabel for the scrumptious food and to Val Nash for the expert facilitation.

 

 

 

Read More
laughter.jpg
The REACH Initiative launches!

On March 15th, over 60 people from all across the coast (Sandy Hook, Halfmoon Bay, Sechelt, Roberts Creek, Gibsons, West Howe Sound) and many different sectors (farmers, artists, consultants, designers, architects, planners, builders, community builders and more) showed up at Gibsons very own Arts Buidling for a visioning launch for the REACH Initiative. After a short presentation, the diverse crew took on a couple of short exercises led by the art farm's Sandy Buck and Amelia Epp, a verbal brainstorm of their vision for a shared space culminating in a lego-style three-dimensional styrofoam configuration high-lighting some of the shared dreams (equipment, gardens, juice bars, rotating potties, no less!). A truly encouraging start to a community project the Sunshine Coast is ready for!

 

Thanks to all who attended, participated, volunteered and sponsored.

Volunteers were: Sandy Buck, Amelia Epp, Charlene Sanjenko, Wendy Crumpler and Jaqueline Rogers (who cooked up some exceptionally inspiring food for the proceedings).

Sponsors were: Sunshine Coast Credit Union, Enterprising Non-Profits, Vancity Credit Union, Town of Gibsons, Sunshine Coast Regional District and The Arts Building.

Read More