The Fibre Farm at Persephone Brewing is a placemaking project that includes an artist residency space, textile and fibre garden, and an accessible outdoor gathering space for workshops and community events in Gibsons.
The Sunshine Coast Arts Council, in partnership with Persephone Brewing, is launching Fibre Farm at Persephone Brewing, a Community Placemaking initiative located in Gibsons.
Fibre Farm will establish a community garden and gathering place showcasing Sḵwx̱wú7mesh land-based knowledge and stewardship practices. Designed as a community resource for cultural exchange and learning, the project will host art activations, workshops, and public events. Marketplace events will give local artisans, farmers, weavers, and other fibre and textile practitioners the opportunity to sell their work, expand public awareness, and amplify a unique and thriving local economy.
Fibre Farm will centre Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw knowledge and practices in the design of the garden and the delivery of ongoing public programs. Through this approach, the project will create meaningful opportunities for the broader community to learn how that knowledge connects to and comes from land, water, and sky, and all their relations.
Wellbeing Impact
The Trust invests in projects using a Wellbeing Impact Framework that looks beyond traditional economic metrics. This approach evaluates how each investment strengthens economic prosperity, cultural vitality, climate resilience, and social empowerment. By focusing on outcomes that matter to people and place, the Trust works to spur new investments that create meaningful, lasting benefits across Vancouver Island and the coast.
Fibre Farm will be a tremendous capacity and legacy-building project for the Sunshine Coast, contributing to cultural tourism and the local economy.
Economic Prosperity: The project will result in the establishment of two new businesses and the expansion of 10 existing businesses. The Fibre Farm itself will be a new social enterprise in the region and will allow for the expansion of three additional social enterprises. The project involves nine local and regional partners, spanning arts, tourism, agricultural, Indigenous organizations, and the circular economy.
Social Empowerment: The Farm will create four temporary new jobs and 10 permanent volunteer positions. The project provides low-barrier, low-cost vendor and market access for underserved community members, especially rural artists, fibre artisans, and agri-food producers.
Climate Resiliency: The garden and gathering space incorporate sustainable landscaping, native plants, and long-lasting infrastructure that supports year-round, low-impact use. The design encourages walking and cycling, reducing vehicle use for visitors and participants, and promotes circular economy practices such as soil-to-soil fibre production, composting, and natural dye-making.
Cultural Vitality: The Fibre Farm offers a garden, studio, and gathering space for community workshops, art activations, and cultural learning. The space is fully accessible and co-designed with the local disability community. The Farm will host artisan markets and seasonal events related to fibre arts, harvests, and Indigenous cultural practices. The project works directly with Indigenous Elders and artists to support Indigenous-led programming and the sharing of land-based cultural practices, contributing to the visibility and transmission of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh language and knowledge.
As we work toward inclusive and resilient economic futures, we do so with a deep appreciation for the histories, contributions, and rights of the Kwak̓wala/Bakwam’kala, Nuučaa̓nuɫ, Éy7á7juuthem, Ligwilda'xw, Pəntl'áč, She shashishalhem, Hul’q’umi’num’, diitiidʔaatx̣, SENĆOŦEN, Skwxwú7mesh, Lekwungen, and T’Sou-ke speaking peoples.
