Creating Space to Shine
Oh, how I needed space—intracellular, spiritual, physical, and mental. I felt bogged down and distracted and restless. I needed something drastic. I needed to go all in. So I signed...
The Death Volume has arrived.
A magazine for those who believe in our immortality, and that there's wisdom in embracing it.
An altar at the Dia los Muertos event on Salt Spring Island. Photo by Misty Whittaker.
SLOW THE FOLK DOWN
FOLKLIFE is dedicated to celebrating slow living, creativity, and connection.
Capturing whatever the folk our community creates—art, food, music, adventure, and meaningful stories. A window seat to the slow life, no matter where you are.
Start a subscription or explore by volume.
Published twice a year.
FIND US IN STORE
“The publication is amazing and very inspiring. FOLKLIFE has already made an impact on the islands, and in quite a positive way.”
“Privileged to have come across FOLKLIFE magazine while shooting in Vancouver. The first volume sent me to Galiano Island where I stayed for a week, hiked every day, had dinner at Pilgrimme Restaurant, and even ordered dinner plates from Ilana Fonariov.”
“Gobsmacked. FOLKLIFE just arrived. Holy smokes, is it ever gorgeous! Wow! Wow! Congratulations!”
Meet our founder & publisher, Alina Cerminara.
“I grew up spending slow summers on Gabriola Island, and moved there when I was 18. Since then, I have earned a master’s degree in publishing, travelled the world (shoutout #vanlife), and become a mother.
FOLKLIFE brings these threads together. The people we meet and the stories we tell endlessly inspire me.”
–Alina Cerminara
Photo by Stasia Garraway.
immersive stories
Dive into the heart.
Into joy, love, aging, creativity, grief, money, and the human experience in all its contradictions. Without gloss, and without gloom.
Discover interviews, essays, reflections, and rituals shaped by people who live slowly, with intention.
Back to the (Is)Land
Jeremy Miller writes a letter to FOLKLIFE about what it was like to grow up on a small island, and find his own coming home.
Sharing Space With the Dying
"Ryan looked at me with curiosity and sweetness in his eyes and said, almost sheepishly, 'Do you think you could do that with me?' I sighed a breath of relief,...
The Ocean Debris Dress
Rachael Tancock, Nature Educator, and Stephanie Fell decided to channel their global marine debris frustration into wearable art.
The Moms Aren’t Getting Awards
The publisher's afterthoughts on the making of The Mother Volume of FOLKLIFE Magazine.
A First Day of School
The publisher's exploration of the magic and nostalgia of the first day of school. Plus, "In Public School" from The Education Volume, written by Mary Ann Richards.
CommunityFOLK | Your hub for west coast slow living.
Southern Gulf Islands, BC
Rising from the cool, clear water of the North Pacific, just off the mainland of British Columbia, Canada, you’ll find a handful of serene, verdant, rolling crowns we call the...
SaltSpring Kitchen Co.: Gourmet Jams, Preserves, and Hot Sauces
Flavour-filled condiments for people who love to eat, share, and entertain. Small batches, all-natural, simple ingredients. Proud to be a woman-owned, living-wage employer on Salt Spring Island.
WOODS on Pender: Modern Camping + Food on Pender Island
WOODS on Pender is the ultimate modern camp experience—a beautiful juxtaposition of the rustic outdoors and the comfortable amenities of home.
FOLKLIFE Blog | News, behind-the-scenes, & more.
The Death Volume Cover Reveal
Photographed by John Kelsey, the just-announced FOLKLIFE Death Volume cover is inspired by the content that illuminates how we are one with the cosmos.
Introducing CommunityFOLK — A New Way to Discover and Be Discovered
We’re excited to introduce CommunityFOLK—a new digital FOLKLIFE space that highlights the kinds of businesses we want to see thrive: small, independent, values-aligned, and rooted in community.
Your New Home for Slow West Coast Living
There’s a new way to step into the FOLKLIFE world—and it’s right at your fingertips.
Welcoming Our New Website & CommunityFOLK—A Note from the Publisher
We have found another way to bring you your soulful and slow quintessentially west coast stories between volumes and throughout the year.
Building A Strategy and Website for a Brand Deeply Rooted in Heart
When Alina and I first got to speaking, I gathered as much information as I could and pitched a more comprehensive idea than what she’d been thinking.
