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Fibrations Fiber Arts Festival – August 17, 2025

Fibrations is a free, community-focused celebration of the rich and diverse world of fibre arts — taking place Sunday, August 17, 2025 from 10am to 4pm at William Stevenson Park and the Fernwood Community Centre in beautiful Victoria, BC.

Rooted in values of inclusivity, sustainability, and connection, Fibrations brings together farmers, hand-dyers, weavers, knitters, felters, toolmakers, and educators from across the fibre arts spectrum. Whether you’re a seasoned fibre artist or simply fibre-curious, you’ll find something to inspire you here.

Browse the confirmed vendors below and discover the passionate creators who make this event truly special:

Wild Woollys

ancientFUTURES

Atelier Nekozuki

Barb Alexander Designs

Batik Baskets

Beehive Wool Shop

Caliopes Fibre

Cedar Coast Fibre Arts

Chaotic Fibres

Copperspoon Dye Co.

Cottonwood Creations

Crafty Phases

Debbie

Deep Blue Dyeworks

Early Weaving/Loom to Grow

Embroiderers’ Guild of Victoria

Fibre Art Studio on Granville Island

Flax to Linen

Gala Fabrics

Gauge Dye Works

GET  HOOKED  DESIGNS by  Helena Bowen

Get Hooked Designs by Helena

Gina Mar

Gingersnap

InKohootsWeaving & Bloominposts

Jen Williams

Jill’s Fibres

KnotArt

Knotty by Nature

Ladybug Weaving

Lilliana Paz Art

Linda Byrne

Local Colour MultiCraft

Lorelei Textile Design

Made with Lovey

Magbags​

mirabeans

Monica Ritenour Pottery

Morena

Morrison Creek Alpacas

Mosqoy

Mr Snapthat

Mud Buttons/Mad Squirrel Mudworks

nan.c designs

Neshama

New Wave Fibre

Ocean Prairie Designs

Outraegeous Designs

Pender Island Farm

Purly Bird

Puzzle Tree Yarns

Rose Hill Yarns

Scrumptious Ewe Artyarn & Pottery

Sheepless Yarns

Simply Fiber by Nicole

Sooke Yarn & Fibre

Stitch and Bits

Sunday Fibre Co

That DARN Yarn Shop and Fibre Mill

The Green Thimble

The Spinnacle Yarns

TLC Fibre Artd

Tofino Knit Company

Vancouver Island Fibreshed

Victoria Handweavers & Spinners Guild

Victoria Knitters Guild

Victoria Quilters Guild

Wolf & Faun Knits

Wool and Waves Creative Inc.

 

Accessibility Info:

  • Fibrations takes place in the field of William Stevenson Park and the gymnasium of Fernwood NRG Community Centre

  • Both are wheelchair accessible. The entrance to Fernwood NRG is at street level and can be accessed from the sidewalk, and then there is a ramp down to the main gymnasium. There are also sloped access points from the field to the centre.

  • Fernwood NRG is low scent but there may be some chemical cleaner scents as well as a likelihood of encountering some dust indoors.

  • Fluorescent lights are present in the gymnasium

  • A single stall washroom is available at the bottom of the ramp near the inner gymnasium doors.

​

For more info, check out www.kbnfibers.ca/about-4

 

​

By |August 12th, 2025|News|0 Comments
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Otsukimi : Bunny Moon Market – September 7, 2025

Welcome to another Otsukimi : Bunny Moon Market as we relish in the end of summer’s harvest with a festive celebration at the Fernwood Community Centre and Skate Park on Sunday SEPTEMBER 7th from 11-4pm.

 

Enter through the main doors on the street level to start your adventure through 2 LEVELS of the Fernwood Community Centre. Exploring  each Artist that we thoughtfully invited to create this colourful and diverse curated market. In the eye of the building you’ll see an open drop in workshop hosted by our friends TSUGI – HAGI. As you exit the gym you’ll spill out into the FOOD COURT in the Skate Park where you’ll be treated by a great gathering of Chefs, some have traveled as far away as Tofino to join us in this celebration of yummy foods! 

 

Local Made by Hand and the Fernwood Makers Party has teamed up to share this amazing line up of Artists. Each Artists has been working on special items that they will be dropping on this berry special day. 

 

Tsugi – Hagi will be hosting a family friendly lino stamping station with a limited edition print as well as their mending station.  Our friend Thomas will be DJ a high energy set from 11am – 2pm then from 2pm – 4pm Karaoke booth will be set up in-front of Hot Dog Hustlin’ for you to sing your heart out. The Woodland Charm will be hosting a Terrarium workshop in the Skate Park. Fun games, Photo Booth and even a Tamagotchi Club meet up! 

 

Join us SUNDAY September 7th 

11-4pm

1240 Gladstone Ave at the Fernwood Community Centre

 

There is a ramp inside for accessibility

10:40am Early entrance for accessibility and HS shoppers 

 

Adults $4 

Kids 12 and under FREE

 

Cats or tiny dogs in backpacks ok inside 

Dogs on leashes ok outside 

 

@localmadebyhand

@thefernwoodmakersparty

By |August 6th, 2025|News|0 Comments
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FernFest is expanding!

Mila Czemerys

Join us at FernFest on Friday, June 13 & Saturday, June 14

You’re invited to FernFest 2025, Fernwood’s annual free, community-based festival of music, art, and celebration brought to you by Fernwood ­Neighbourhood House!

It’s all happening on Friday, June 13 from 5–10pm and Saturday, June 14 from 11:30am–10pm in Fernwood Square and beyond. Join the fun as we showcase local musicians and artists you may not have heard of—but are bound to love.

This year, FernFest is expanding with the launch of a brand-new stage: the Big Fernwood Stage, located behind Fernwood Neighbourhood House at 1240 Gladstone ­Avenue. With this exciting addition, we now feature three vibrant stages of performances and even more space for community celebration.

There is something for everyone at FernFest—live ­performances by over 40 musicians and performers; booths from 85+ local makers in our artisan market; non-profits; games; bouncy castle; art-making in the Field of Dreams; magic; food vendors and drinks; auction; workshops; wishing tree; and a whole bunch of your favourite neighbours and friends gathered together.

We are honoured to welcome the lək̓ʷəŋən Traditional Dancers on Friday at 5pm with a territorial welcome and culture share. We acknowledge that FernFest takes place on the homelands of the lək̓ʷəŋən-speaking peoples: Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, and W̱SÁNEĆ Nations.

FernFest reflects Fernwood NH’s Strategic Plan and vision: a neighbourhood where everyone experiences belonging, connection, joy, and acceptance.

You’ll hear artists like Pastel Blank, Garret T. Willie, Hank Pine, Paris Pick and the Pricks, Vic High RnB Band, Mariachi Sin Frontera, Devours, Zoubi and the Sea, and many more!

Be sure to check out our silent auction at airauctioneer.com/fernfest-2025-auction. Proceeds directly support Fernwood Neighbourhood House. Please walk, bike, or bus to the event—parking is very limited. A free bike valet will be available in the basketball court at Vic High off of Fernwood Road. Bring your water bottle and refill at our on-site water station. We welcome donations. This event is free—and your donations keep it going.

A huge thank you to the City of Victoria Festival Investment Grant and the Province of British Columbia for supporting FernFest. Thank you to our 2025 sponsors: The Zone @ 91.3, Belfry Theatre, Phillips Brewing and Malting Co., Garside Signs, Diversity Media, Fernwood Green Cannabis, Knotty By Nature, and more!

We are an inclusive event for all classes, cultures, genders, ages, and abilities. Everyone is welcome!

Find the full program guide at: fernwoodnrg.ca/fernfest/program. Happy FernFest!

 

By |May 29th, 2025|News|0 Comments
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Volunteer with FernFest!

FernFest Volunteers

Nada Saad

Experience ­FernFest 2025 as part of the team!

Every year, we’re blown away by the incredible energy and community spirit that comes together to celebrate Fernwood, the arts, and everything in between. As always, FernFest wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers. If you’re looking to be part of something meaningful and full of heart, we’d love to have you on our team. Whether you’re a returning volunteer or joining us for the first time, this is your chance to help create unforgettable memories and be part of an awesome community.

FernFest kicks off on Friday evening, June 13, and continues all day Saturday, June 14. This year, we’re ­bringing even more music to the streets with performances across three unique stages: Little Fernwood Stage, ­Fernwood Square Stage, and the brand new Big Fernwood Stage—all featuring incredible local artists. But that’s not all! FernFest will also feature an artisan market, food vendors, Field of Dream, and so much more!

We’re currently looking for volunteers to help with a variety of roles including ­Festival set-up and tear-down, Artisan Market support, Field of Dreams activities, Beverage gardens and ticket sales, Hospitality, Sound equipment set-up/take-down, Green Team, Bike valet and even pre- and post-event opportunities for those curious about what goes into transforming Fernwood into FernFest!

As a thank you, volunteers will receive a free FernFest t-shirt, free food and drinks, a beverage garden ticket (to enjoy after your shift), and an invite to our Volunteer ­Appreciation Party!

Come meet like-minded folks and be part of an unforgettable community celebration, sign up today by filling out our online FernFest Volunteer Application at fernwoodnrg.ca/events-directory/­fernfest/volunteer/

We can’t wait to celebrate with you and make FernFest 2025 the best one yet!

By |May 29th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments
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Portraits of Fernwood: The people’s art project

Inside Out Project Art

>> Chris Caicedo Carbonell

Every day, we pass familiar faces—people we recognize but seldom know. We rarely ask their stories, yet their presence becomes part of our shared landscape. This quiet recognition inspired Portraits of Fernwood, our local contribution to the Inside Out Project, one of the world’s largest participatory art movements.

Founded by French artist JR and active in over 150 countries, Inside Out invites communities to turn identity into public art through large-scale black-and-white portraits. These installations bring visibility to everyday people and causes often overlooked in public discourse.

Now, for the first time in Victoria, our neighbourhood joins this global ­movement. Portraits of Fernwood features 60 portraits of neighbours, volunteers, and community members—those who shape and support the heartbeat of our community. Through this project, we celebrate values such as belonging, inclusion, creativity, and resilience.

On June 8, 2025, we invite everyone to join us for a public celebration and ­installation day at 1240 Gladstone Ave. Together, we will paste these portraits onto plywood panels, which will later be mounted with the help of local professionals. This collective act goes beyond art—it’s a moment to connect, honour our shared humanity, and reflect on who we are together.

More than a visual display, Portraits of Fernwood is an act of community empowerment. Public art creates space for people to see themselves reflected, to claim ­visibility, and to affirm that their lives and stories matter. It invites dialogue, challenges assumptions, and sparks collective action. In this sense, art becomes a tool for social change—a way to imagine and build more connected, just, and inclusive communities.

To the question posed by JR’s book Can Art Change the World? we say: yes. From the inside out.

By |May 29th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments
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Youth Jam: A space to grow through music

>> Kady Savard

The Youth Jam grew out of my early experiences in the music scene. As a young, uncertain singer, I found confidence through Musical Youth Victoria, a grassroots initiative led by Randy Austin and Geoffrey Bucove. It offered local artists instrumental backing and a place to be heard—without grants or government ­support. Those early shows marked a turning point for me, and I still share footage from them as a reminder of how far I’ve come.

After Randy’s passing last fall, I felt a deep urge to continue what he helped create. I’d pitched a revival of the ­concept to various non-profits, but it wasn’t until a conversation with Mila—while ­discussing my FernFest hosting duties—that things clicked. She ­immediately said, “Why not do it at the Fernwood Community Centre?”

That simple suggestion launched the next chapter. We added a performance at FernFest to wrap the program, with ­community support from people like Nathan Shelby on sound and help from the City of Victoria and the My Great Neighbourhood Grant. Mila also guided me through the grant writing process.

Music improv teaches powerful skills: collaboration, confidence, communication, and belonging. Especially post-COVID, I saw how needed this was for youth who’d missed vital years of connection. The goal was to give them space to grow, explore, and shine.

Watching them thrive has been the most rewarding part—and the hardest, knowing it’s temporary. I’m now seeking long-term funding to keep it going year-round.
I’d love to see programs like this across the city. If it inspires you, take the idea and run with it. And if you want help starting something similar, I’m here.

Catch the Youth Jam Sessions band, Fern Friends, at 12:45 pm on the Big ­Fernwood Stage, at FernFest on Saturday, June 14.

By |May 29th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments
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Welcome to ­Fernwood ­Neighbourhood House Salma

Salma is Fernwood NH’s new Director of Community Programs

My name is Salma Ihsan and I am pleased to be joining the Fernwood ­Neighbourhood House as the Director of Community ­Programs. I first came to the island to attend UVic and quickly fell in love with this land and community. I’ve now lived on W̱SÁNEĆ and […]

By |May 29th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments
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