Board of Directors
Maureen Fraser | Acting President
I arrived in Tofino in 1974, on my way to South America and decided to build a Bake Shop and stay.
From organizing Folk music concerts in the 1970’s to organizing painting workshops in the 2020’s, I’ve been involved in the cultural activities of Tofino for 50 years.
Lee McNamee | Vice President
Graydon Clerk | Treasurer
Tim Webb | Secretary
Tim, a long-time resident of Tofino for over 25 years, brings a wealth of experience in community leadership and a deep appreciation for art and design. While he doesn't consider himself an artist, Tim enjoys photography, capturing the diverse light and landscapes of the coast and during his travels. His passion for design and style extends to everyday objects, reflecting his strong aesthetic sensibilities.
Tim has served in key roles in several local organizations, including six years on the board of the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust, where he was co-chair for most of his tenure. Additionally, he has spent over 20 years on the Westcoast Search and Rescue board, predominantly as president. His leadership in these organizations reflects his dedication to the community.
Tim’s connection to the arts runs deep, with his grandfather playing a pivotal role in the British wood engraving revival of the 1920s-1940s. He has collected much of his grandfather's work and recently collaborated with the Cowichan Art Gallery for an exhibition in Duncan.
Tim believes strongly in the importance of public art and a vibrant arts community as essential components of a healthy society. He is excited to bring his extensive life experience and organizational expertise to the Tofino Arts Council.
Joanna Streetly | Director at Large
Joanna Streetly (she/her) is the shadow?sometime? secretary of the Tofino Arts Council. She is a writer and poet with an interest in performance and a side-line in illustration and landscape painting. She is the west coast representative of the Federation of BC Writers and a long-standing member of the Clayoquot Writers’ Group. Joanna also belongs to the Writers’ Union of Canada and the League of Canadian Poets. She has been a contributing member of the The Diversity Project; a human affair—a group of local artists creating multi-disciplinary performances intended to bring light to, and celebrate, diverse and unifying aspects of humanity.
Joanna was the inaugural Tofino Poet Laureate 2018-2020 and is a recipient of the Pacific Rim Art Society’s Rainy Coast Art Award for significant achievement. She is the published author of five books, with a new title forthcoming in 2025. Her work has been published in Best Canadian Essays 2017 and Best Canadian Poetry 2024, and her 2018 memoir Wild Fierce Life: Dangerous Moments on the Outer Coast was a BC Bestseller. Joanna enjoys performing original written work and bringing literary and visual art, and artists, into this small community. She is an advocate for reconciliation in Canada and is daily appreciative of life in the unceded territory of the ƛaʔuukwiiʔatḥ nation.
Joanna sits on the governance committee and the retreats and residencies committee. She is committed to finding ways to enable writers and artists to temporarily cast off regular life and immerse themselves in their practice.
Robinson Cook | Director at Large
Robinson Cook arrived in Tofino in 1991, where an encounter with the old-growth cedars of Meares Island profoundly shaped his life. Since then, he has dedicated himself to carving, learning, and teaching within the coastal carving community. Robinson describes himself as a "student and ally of the woods."
His carving journey began after meeting Henry Nolla, whose wisdom and space for creativity inspired Robinson to carve drums, igniting his passion for the craft. Robinson Cook has built strong connections with local Indigenous communities, particularly through his work with the Ahousaht Nation, where he was formally adopted by the Sam family. He deeply respects the traditions and teachings of the Nuu-chah-nulth carving community and is committed to preserving and sharing these practices. Through collaborative projects and his role in the Carving on the Edge Festival, Robinson actively supports Indigenous carvers and strives to create inclusive spaces where artists can connect, learn, and celebrate their cultural heritage.
As a key figure in the Carving on the Edge Festival, Robinson launched the Carving Club to provide a shared space for carvers to connect and create together. His dedication to teaching and mentoring beginner carvers reflects his deep belief in passing on knowledge and building community through art. Robinson continues to collaborate with local Indigenous communities and bring his experience and passion for carving to the Tofino Arts Council.
Leah McDiarmid | Director at Large
For Leah McDiarmid, Vancouver Island has always been home. In 1996, she moved from Victoria to Tofino, where she began working in tourism and hospitality, contributing to family and independent businesses. Leah has cherished Tofino as a wonderful place to raise a young family. Her two sons, now grown, attended Wickaninnish Elementary School. These roots continue to guide her contributions to the community.
Leah's deep appreciation for the arts led her to pursue an undergraduate degree in Art History and Visual Studies from the University of Victoria, which she completed in 2020. A year later, she opened the Tofino Gallery of Contemporary Art, representing contemporary artists from Tofino and across British Columbia. With a passion for curating, Leah brings together diverse works of art that tell compelling stories, explore shared themes, and encourage thoughtful dialogue. In 2023, her gallery hosted the inaugural West Coast Visions juried exhibit, an inclusive and inspiring showcase of local artists. The gallery proudly operates as a Tribal Park Ally, deeply respecting the ancestral lands and unceded territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht and Nuu-chah-nulth Nations.
Leah is honoured to serve as a director of the Tofino Arts Council, where she is committed to championing the creation and sharing of art within the outer coast communities. Through her work with the council, Leah helps provide an inclusive, independent voice for local artists and cultural organizations, enriching and supporting the vibrant communities she loves.
Kim Hoag | Director at Large
Kim Hoag is a founding member of the Clayoquot Sound Community Theatre, where her vision and dedication have helped shape the vibrant cultural landscape of Tofino.
With a deep passion for the arts, Kim has dedicated much of her life to fostering creativity, both as a visual artist and as an art educator for elementary school children. Her work as an educator has had a lasting impact, inspiring young minds to explore their artistic potential.
Through her involvement in the Clayoquot Sound Community Theatre and her ongoing work as a visual artist, Kim remains a vital force in the cultural life of the region. She continues to advocate for the importance of the arts in education and in community development, believing that creativity is a cornerstone of a thriving and connected community.
Cate O’Connell | Director at Large
Ann Hasert | Director at Large
Staff
Carly Butler - Executive Director
Carly is an interdisciplinary artist (NSCAD; Central Saint Martins, London), and has worked for over 20 years in galleries, museums, auction houses, and non-profits in both the UK and Canada.
Emily Elston Macnab | Director, Communications & Engagement
With a background in Brand Experience and Marketing Strategy for creative, boutique and independent brands, Emily is passionate about fostering creativity and community connection in the region. She is an artist and has a consulting business that focuses on Creative Strategy and Brand Experience.