Water, air, soil and sunlight — these are the essentials of life.

But the Fort Gallery Art Farm, which takes place Aug. 9 on an idyllic acreage in south Langley, has its own unique way of planting the seeds of friendship and nourishing creativity.

In its third year, the popular fundraising event brings together creative spirits for a day of living and breathing art under the guidance of Fort Gallery members who volunteer their time offering an exciting program of workshops.

Instruction will be offered in Hand-Coloured Photographs (Diana Durrand); Painting Fearlessly Plein Air (Susan Falk); Fantastic Florals in Acrylic (Scott Gordon); Dare to be Free with Acrylics (Dorthe Eisenhardt); Ink and Watercolour for Travelers (Suzanne Northcott); Mixed Media Madness (Terry Nurmi); and a demonstration of Digital Media as an Artistic Tool (Betty Laughy).

The nurturing starts with coffee, tea, goodies and yoga — for those who want to greet the dawn with an invigorating stretch.

Workshops begin in earnest at 9:30 a.m.

It’s rejuvenating to paint in groups outdoors, says Fort Gallery member Diana Durrand.

Being outside the normal studio frame of reference opens up your creative senses.

Piping birds, glimpses of a shaded ponds and grazing horses, the tousle of the wind immerse artists in nature during the three-hour workshops, the open life drawing session and the critiques by Doris Auxier and Betty Spackman. Demonstrations and activities that follow, until the day winds down at 6 p.m.

Pack a picnic lunch and come and share skills and ideas or spend your day painting in a beautiful landscape.

Adults at any level of art making are welcome.

Cost of the Art Farm is $80.

You can register by phone or in person at The Fort Gallery, 9048 Glover Road, Fort Langley, 604-888-7411 (Wednesday to Sunday noon to 5 p.m.).

E-mail info@fortgallery.ca for more details.

The art farm will take place at 2208 232 St.