The art farm hub

The art farm hub

deer crossing the art farm leases a five acre piece of land seven kilometeres north of Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast, BC.  This land acts as the physical hub for the art farm movement while also serving as a laboratory for exploring and developing the sustainable rural-based model, as set out in our mission statement. In this model, artists, nature-based innovators and people devoted to change are provided access to natural rural spaces to reflect, dialogue and collaborate with others.  In exchange, they devote time to sustaining the land as well as performing, displaying and teaching their work and ideas to the wider community around them.

The art farm’s land currently houses our administrative offices, indoor and outdoor work spaces, modest lodging facilities and also hosts permanent art installations and most of the art farm’s workshops, residencies and special events. Our landlords are active supporters and founding members of the art farm organization.

Lodging facilities include a two room cabin, four campsites, composting toilet, shower, wood-stove and two out-door fire-pits. Our garden and forest provides fruit and vegetables for collaborators through-out the summer months. Modest group cooking and eating facilities can be found in the art farm office.  In conjunction with our Land and Permaculture programming, the art farm is in the process of building a cob campground kitchen to enable larger groups to stay on the land for longer periods of time.

Sheltered creation space includes a 500 square foot studio/office, a toolshed/workshop, and space in the cabin for writing and other solitary work.  Outdoor space includes the Rainforest Gallery, the Laurel Spiral, the Alder-Poplar Walk and cleared pasture.

While the art farm aims to host up to 12 - 15 individuals at any one time on its leased land, for now we are equipped for small groups. Individuals applying for residencies should be comfortable with solitary life on the edge of wilderness. Small groups should be comfortable with sharing bathroom and kitchen space.

Check out our long-term design plans for the hub here.