Tofino Gallery Of Contemporary Art
- degiannidesigns
- Nov 28, 2025
- 3 min read
Creatives, Curators, and Craftsmen
There are people who don’t just work in the world of art, they help us feel it.
Leah McDiarmid, founder of the Tofino Gallery of Contemporary Art, is one of those rare curators whose presence transforms the experience of viewing art into something deeply human, intimate, and instinctual.
Her path to the gallery was anything but conventional. After years as an entrepreneur in hospitality, Leah returned to academia as a mature student, pursuing a degree in Art History & Visual Studies at the University of Victoria. She began at 48, finished at 54, and followed a quiet knowing that her next chapter needed to align with meaning, curiosity, and courage.
When a commercial space opened in
The Campbell House, she sensed that
Tofino was ready for something new: a contemporary gallery that could bring a cosmopolitan standard of art to the West Coast, while still honouring the soul of its landscape.
What resonated with us immediately is that Leah’s approach to art is rooted in the same values that guide DeGianni Designs: intuition, emotional connection, and the belief that beauty should invite you in, not overwhelm.
Connecting People & Art
When asked how she connects people to the art they purchase, Leah’s philosophy mirrors our own belief in intuitive, soulful engagement.
“My approach is to let the art speak for itself. Art is subjective and personal… Our gallery space is small and intimate, and this allows for close contemplation.”
This respect for instinct and quiet connection is a core value we share at DeGianni Designs. Homes — like galleries — should invite people to slow down, observe, and feel.
Leah’s intentional approach creates space for curiosity, allowing art to meet viewers where they are, without pressure or pretense.
For the New Collector
Her advice for those beginning their art collection is simple. “Look for what moves you, speaks to you, rouses curiosity in you… Buy what you love, what brings joy, connection, conversation.”
This sentiment aligns beautifully with how we encourage clients to approach their spaces. Meaning first. Story first. Feeling first. When your environment reflects what stirs something in you, the result is always more soulful, more personal, and more enduring.
Clearing Up Common Myths
Leah also addresses misconceptions that can make art feel inaccessible.
On cost: “Original art is expensive… however it doesn't need to be ‘expensive.’ We have exceptional artworks for $1,500 and under… I strive to bring in works that are unique and accessible.”
On running out of wall space: “Move your art around… A collection takes on new life when placed anew. It can be seasonal, thematic or just intimate.”
This fluid, approachable understanding of curation is something we deeply appreciate.
Homes evolve and the pieces within them can evolve with us.
Value, Authenticity & Living with Art
When discussing the value system of art, Leah highlights the irreplaceable nature of original work while acknowledging the practical beauty of mixing mediums.
“Mass-produced art has its place. However, it will never take the place of an original work of art, made by hand and from personal conception.”
From an interior design perspective, she speaks to the heart of soulful living:
“Blending family heirlooms, vintage or eccentric pieces with a punchy modern one can be really effective. Your space must be yours. Curate it with authenticity and confidence.”
This is precisely why we felt aligned with Leah — her philosophy encourages emotional truth and brave self-expression, foundations of how we design at DeGianni Designs.
Visit Leah & Experience the Gallery Firsthand
If Leah’s philosophy resonates with you, we encourage you to experience the Tofino Gallery of Contemporary Art in person. Her intimate, thoughtful, and quietly compelling space reflects everything she shared with us: a place where instinct leads, curiosity is welcomed, and art is given room to speak.
Leah represents a curated roster of contemporary artists from Tofino, Ucluelet, Vancouver Island, and across British Columbia, offering works in painting, sculpture, and photography.
Whether you’re beginning your art collection or adding a meaningful new piece to an existing one, her guidance is warm, grounded, and refreshingly approachable.
You can explore the gallery, learn more about the artists she champions, or inquire about available works through:
Tofino Gallery of Contemporary Art
📍 The Campbell House, Tofino, BC
📩 Contact Leah directly for private viewings or inquiries
Leah’s dedication to accessible, contemporary art makes her an invaluable part of the West Coast creative community — and a perfect fit for our Creatives, Curators & Craftsmen series. We’re grateful to share her work and perspective, and we hope her approach inspires you to live — and collect — with more intuition, joy, and authenticity.
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