About Us

Operating in the unceded, traditional territories of the Tla-o-quiaht First Nations, the Tofino Gallery of Contemporary Art represents local and regional Canadian artists in a variety of mediums. Making its debut in June 2021, TGCA is committed to contributing to and enhancing the arts and culture community in Tofino, a world-class destination.

Featuring established and emerging artists, TGCA offers a thoughtfully curated and diverse portfolio of artworks in painting, sculpture & photography.

Located in the Campbell House behind Rhino Coffee, TGCA keeps good company with neighbouring art galleries, coffee stops, great restaurants and uniquely local retail.

TGCA is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11am-5pm daily.

Painting

Whether figurative or abstract, primal, joyful or sensual, paintings presented by TGCA offer collectors a variety of themes, styles and mediums. Featured artists Marion Evamy , Irma Soltonovich, Ira Hoffecker, Arden Rose, Graeme Masterton and Paula Callahan convey a range of expressions and subjects through their works. Evamy is known for her bold colours and sense of play; Soltonovich for her distinctive horizon line and landscape of imagination; Hoffecker for her abstracted layers of geometric architectural elements; Rose for her playful Modigliani-inspired portraits; Masterton for his realistic renderings of architecture with a focus on light and shadow; and Callahan for her primal, sometimes masculine mixed media.

Sculpture

Sculptors Birgit Piskor and Fran Solar create stunning, elegant forms. Both use what could be considered masculine mediums; Piskor sculpting with modified acrylic polymer concrete and Solar metallic materials. The results are highly original, sensual and tactile.

Photography

Balancing elemental layers and visual concepts, Fine Art Photographer Stacey Bodnaruk conveys a narrative inspired by her natural surroundings of mountain, forest and ocean.

The Tofino Gallery of Contemporary Art is an experiential gallery welcoming art enthusiasts. Its intimate size, natural light, high ceilings and acoustics offer a beautiful environment for viewing. Come in and look, listen and feel the art that is presented.

Our Team

Gallerist

Leah McDiarmid

Leah has been a lover and collector of art since purchasing her first Herbert Siebner painting in her early 20s, paying for it in instalments. She completed an Architectural Interior Design program at Pacific Design Academy in 2008, and an Art History & Visual Studies degree (Honours) at the University of Victoria in 2019. Leah and husband Bruce are long-time residents of Tofino. Bruce and his brothers grew up in Tofino in the 1960s, and Bruce’s family owns the iconic Wickaninnish Inn, managed by Charles McDiarmid.

With hospitality at the forefront, Leah and Bruce own and operate Tofino Beach Collective, a boutique management company offering three exceptional, art-filled vacation rental homes at Chesterman Beach. The homes are thoughtfully curated and serve as satellite galleries for the TGCA. Leah’s background in interior design, art collection and curation, and extensive art-focused travel in Europe and Mexico, have created a unique opportunity to establish the TGCA and be a part of Tofino’s diverse arts community.

Sales associate

Montserrat Seaman

Montserrat, originally from Mazatlan, Mexico, has made Tofino her home since 1994. With an extensive background in retail and hospitality, Montserrat brings a professional, thoughtful approach to assisting collectors with their art selection.  As an experimental artist herself, and distant relative of renowned Barcelona painter Joan Miro, Montserrat has an eye and intuitive knowledge for art. She is a welcome addition to the gallery team and is excited to share her passion with collectors and visitors.

Featured Artists