Artists. Creators. Innovators

Cathleen is a ceramic artist and instructor, with a focus on wheel throwing and organic, functional forms. Cathleen has been a part of PoMoArts since 2021 in many roles - student, studio member, and Ceramics Program Tech. She strives to foster community and collaboration in art. Cathleen’s teaching philosophy encourages students to explore their creativity and find stillness and peace in the grounding medium of clay

Jai Sallay-Carrington (they/them) is a Canadian sculptural ceramic artist currently living in Vancouver BC. They are a queer and transgender artist whose work is heavily influenced by these aspects of their life. In 2014 Jai graduated from Concordia University with a BFA, and since then has traveled around Canada, USA and Europe for artist residencies, installing exhibitions and teaching workshops. Residencies such as C.R.E.T.A Rome in Italy, Tolne Gjæstgivergaard in Denmark and a year-long residency at Baltimore Clayworks in the USA, as the Lormina Salter Fellow. They have been a part of many group exhibitions, at prestigious galleries such as the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Henry Art Gallery, and the Clay Center of New Orleans. Jai has had several solo exhibitions, such as Growing Pains at Pottery Northwest, Trans Passions at Baltimore Clayworks Gallery, as well as Adapting, at Maison de la Culture Côte-des-Neiges. Publications that have featured Jai’s work include CBC Exhibitionists, Ceramique: 90 Artistes Contemporarian and FEELS Magazine. Jai has been awarded grants from Canada Council of the Arts, SODEC, CALQ and was a finalist for the Winifred Shantz Award for 2020 and 2021. They earned their MFA at the University of Washington in 2023, receiving the De Cillia Graduating with Excellence award. Jai's passion for community and uplifting the 2SLGBTQ+ community drives them to continue creating their work and connecting with those around them.

Rylan Cocks is an artist and art educator holding Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Approaching his work with maximalist sensibilities such as over-patterning, glimmers of gold and silver, animal prints, and the introduction of other mediums such as textiles and rhinestones, Rylan’s practice brings forward a question of taste. This question of taste is not asking what makes good or bad art, but inevitably how we should all forge our own creative sensibilities. Rylan has worked in an arts education capacity for over 4 years and hopes to encourage self-expression, nurture imagination, and help bring student’s work into fruition.

Tammi Vilchis (Thea) is a ceramic artist exploring alternative firings and ancestral techniques. Her work blends contemporary ceramics with Mesoamerican traditions, influenced by her studies in Sculpture and Industrial Design. She has exhibited at major venues including Premio Nacional de la Cerámica in Tlaquepaque, Museo de Arte Popular in Mexico City and CECUT in Tijuana. Based in Maple Ridge, Thea teaches ceramics at several locations. She is a founding member of the Guildhouse Project and a member of Burnaby’s Pottery Guild since 2021.

My inspiration mostly comes from the organic forms of subjects where it mostly involves human figure. I am always intrigued to explore new medium into my paintings and transform the paintings to look physically 3D while having a strong flat background. My personal philosophy in art is: Art for Art’s sake, where the process is not forced and done for enjoyment. I am still very experimental with my style, and don’t tend to focus on having a blue print for my paintings yet. My artistic approach is to be a sponge and keep on absorbing new information and techniques to continually enhance my work.

Dean is a Vancouver-based pianist, composer, and educator originally from Sylvan Lake, Alberta. Dean enjoys a busy career gigging and collaborating within the local Vancouver music scenes, wedding events, choral groups, and dance groups as well as teaching at the Sarah McLachlan School Of Music. Dean is also a prolific composer, arranger, and bandleader. His arrangements for horn groups and string ensembles can be heard on a number of his peers’ albums and performances. His 15-piece big band ‘The Stranger Friends Orchestra’ was recently featured in the Vancouver International Jazz Festival 2023 with glowing reception

Boyana Makedonska has just completed a Masters Degree in Piano Performance at McGill’s prestigious Schulich School of Music, and has many years of experience teaching piano to students ranging from young children to adults. As a performing artist, her focus is on classical repertoire, but she’s eager to meet students wherever they’re at and can teach all genres of music.

Beth has been a children’s, youth and teen art instructor and an Early Childhood Educator for over twenty-five years. She was trained how to implement art activities aimed at young artists at the Vancouver Art Gallery by Susan Hoppenfield in 1998 and takes an open-ended approach when facilitating art for 1-5 year olds. Beth believes that through experimentation and the freedom to choose, children can find their own voices and learning to do that at a young age is important. “Trust and belief in yourself—doing what feels right for you, even if others dismiss it. The act of listening to your intuition and believing in yourself bleeds into every day life and that can only aid in respect to self-esteem and making personal choices. These are the formative years and positive, highly creative experiences can have a lasting impact.” Beth has been the instructor for Little Hands, Big Art since March 2024. She also teaches Art Connect experiences for Grades K-12, and the upcoming mixed media program, Women In Art.

Homa is a visual artist and painter who believes in the power of imagination and dreaming in her art practice. She holds an MFA in Fine Arts from Simon Fraser University, and BFA from Tehran University, she has been painting for over a decade and has exhibited her work globally. Homa encourages her students to break boundaries and think outside the box, she believes everyone can make art and it is one of the best ways to connect to your inner child and inner peace. Her diverse body of work encompasses surrealism, abstraction, and worldbuilding, featuring “more than human” creatures through various mediums, including painting, video, and sculpture installations. Trained in both academic and conceptual methods, Homa delves into the human body’s connection to memory, fantasy, and the uncanny, often infusing her pieces with humor. Her art investigates the interplay between body, mind, and environment, emphasizing the creative process, color choices, and materiality.

Sarah graduated from Seoul Women's University, College of Fine Arts in 2001. After graduating, she began her career as an elementary school art teacher in Korea until 2003 when she immigrated to Canada. Even after immigrating, she continued her passion for art by providing private art instruction from preschool to 8th grade students. Following the 2020 pandemic, she paused her private tutoring and focused on her own artistic endeavors, eventually becoming a member of the Blackberry Artist Society in 2023. Since 2024, Sarah has been working as an instructor at Pomo Arts. Her artwork primarily focuses on watercolor and acrylic paintings, characterized by vibrant colors and whimsical themes that inspire hope. In her teaching, Sarah emphasizes stimulating students' imaginations and encouraging them to experiment with various materials. She hopes her classes provide a creative outlet for relieving everyday stress, enabling students to continue their artistic pursuits at home. Sarah participated in the 2023 Art 4 Life exhibition with her "Flower Flavoured Icecream" series. Overall, Sarah's journey is marked by a dedication to nurturing creativity and imagination in her students, aiming to uplift and recharge them amidst life's challenges through art.

Suze Mercado is a multidisciplinary arts educator, art therapist, and artist. Guided by a boundless curiosity for humanity and a passion for exploration, she embraces a multi-devotional approach in her artistic endeavors. Suze's creative process seamlessly blends spontaneity, craftsmanship, and responsiveness, resulting in a body of work that reflects her dedication to an ever-evolving artistic journey.

Sophie Davari is a Vancouver based surface pattern designer, illustrator and founder of Sophina Design. Sophie’s interest is in home decor, apparel, and stationary design. Sophina Design’s uniqueness lies in its inspiring pattern designs and uplifting illustrations with a sophisticated, imaginative, and delicate style.

Valerie is a Vancouver-based illustrator and ceramic artist. She began her teaching career with pottery classes. Since then, she’s found a love of collage art style: simple linework and photography—multi-mediums coming together to create something new and different. Valerie loves guiding students as they explore their creativity and unique interpretations of projects.

Andra is a ceramics and sculpture artist currently studying Visual Arts and Biology at Simon Fraser University. Their artistic practice involves functional decorative pottery as well as multimedia sculpture and installation that explores the connection between the body, mind, and its surroundings. Andra has been taking ceramics classes with PoMoArts since 2018 and joined their team in 2021 as part of the Canada Summer Jobs program to help young artists find their passion. Their involvement with ceramics started with one great teacher showing them the ropes, and they hope to be that one great teacher for the many more students they teach.

Jennifer is an established vocalist on the Vancouver music scene and has performed across Canada and North America throughout her career. She holds a diploma in Commercial Music and Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies - Vocal Major from Capilano University. She has completed two studio albums and recorded numerous radio and commercial jingles. Performance credits include the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games; lead vocalist with the legendary Dal Richards Orchestra; Vancouver International Jazz Festival; Harmony Arts Festival; Kaleidoscope Arts Festival.

I’m a former Kindergarten teacher, now a homemaker and mother of an intelligent, gorgeous & goofy girl. I have been making stuff since I can remember. Art and creating is my passion and I love sharing it with others! I started macrame as a hobby while I was Maid of Honour at my little brother’s boho chic style wedding, and have been loving it ever since. I also have experience making custom cakes and moulds, resin pours and more! I will definitely be creating a variety of items for my shop. For now please check out my macrame items for sale. I’m always open to creating new things, so if you have a custom order just let me know and I’ll do my best to create it for you!

When one stands back at looks at Bernadine's life and work, it becomes obvious that at the heart of everything she does (whether it be art, writing, or educating), she is a teacher. Not the kind who asserts knowledge of facts like a Grade 10 Math teacher or truths like guru Wayne Dyer (bless his soul). Bernadine is the type of teacher who will present something and ask only that you look at it and decide for yourself what it may or may not mean to you. Whether it is with art, writing, or in speaking engagements, Bernadine uses her own life experiences as the subject matter of her work. In fact, if one was to gather all of her art, writing, and speaking engagement topics one could collect it under one heading: This is My Story. Her writing simplifies and articulates complex ideas and interactions. Her art demands us to utilize our nonverbal language and have a conversation with parts of our brain we may have forgotten. Her speaking engagements come directly out of her life experiences and are focused on social activism. All of it is meant to create social change. Bernadine uses images, words, and her voice to touch this world and leaving it in a better place.

Gayle has been teaching preschool classes, Pro-D day camps and Art & Drama camps at the Port Moody Arts Centre since 2000. She works with children and youth with mental health issues, brain injury or physical and cognitive difficulties teaching social skills development. She has worked in the community service field for over 30 years in many capacities. Gayle has a therapeutic degree through the Justice Institute and Counselling Training Institute. At Douglas College she trained as a community support worker and at the David Diamond Theatre of the Living, Gayle learned to use theatre and drama to work with oppressed people to create positive outcomes. Gayle is a parent, grandparent and has been a caregiver for numerous special needs children.

Tracy has been teaching art for 15 years both in Canada and China. She has been providing lots of learning experiences for students, introducing various mediums and art forms. She enjoys working with children and has experience in public and private schools. Tracy’s personal work refers to individual narrative and ritual as well as exploring her own unique artistic expression. Over the years, her works have been exhibited in galleries and museums. Tracy studied art in Utrecht School of Art, the Netherlands and Guangzhou Institute of Fine Art, China. She currently lives in Coquitlam BC and works at Esplanade Artist Studios, Port Moody BC.

Margarita is inspired by the colours and shapes of the natural environment, and is obsessed with past events that have occurred in her life. She looks for what might not immediately apparent to the naked eye. Her work is a study of shape and movement conveyed through line, texture, layers and colour. Materials and chemical reactions between the materials she uses in her art are very much a part of her creative process.

Agata has loved art all her life. From her childhood in Zakopane, Poland, through art studies in Europe, life in Paris and now in Coquitlam, B.C. Her keen sense of colour and form has been finely honed by over fifty years of making art. She emigrated to Canada at age eleven and some years later returned to Poland to study at the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts in Cracov. Six years later and a mountain of paintings, drawings, sculptures and fine prints accumulated, Agata received a Masters of Fine Arts Degree. Her art interests and many European exhibitions allowed her to travel throughout Europe and to settle in Paris. There she lived the quintessential ' poor artist in Paris' lifestyle for several years. Her fine paintings take pride of place in many private and corporate collections both in Europe and Canada. In the mid eighties , Agata finally returned to her beloved Vancouver. She established an art gallery and a fine jewellery studio. Upon moving to Coquitlam, Agata turned her energy to teaching art, painting, writing and volunteering to better the Arts in her community. Agata is a third generation, award winning artist and popular art instructor with over 30 years experience. She brings her knowledge and sense of humour to each class. She has a true passion for sharing art with children and adult students. Her ability to translate the elite language of art into understandable terms and accessible teaching style has earned her the Tri-Cities FAVORITE ART TEACHER AWARD two years in a row. She was awarded the ARC LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE and was nominated for an ARTS AWARD by the City of Port Moody. Agata is a prolific artist, always working on new and exciting projects which in turn inspire her students. She has been teaching adult and children’s art programmes at the Port Moody Arts Centre for over 20 years.

She is a piano teacher and vocal coach who has a BMus and BA in piano, organ, basic rudimentary, and choir conductors diploma. Lia speaks English, Russian, Georgian, and Hebrew, with more than 35 years of teaching experience in Canada. Lia offers a supportive learning environment through constant encouragement to her students as they develop self-discipline and set meaningful goals. Students will be using the internationally recognized teaching methods of the Royal Conservatory of Music. Beginner to advanced levels are welcome.

Guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Marc Rivest has been making a career in music for the last 15 years. As a guitarist, Marc is an alumnus of Capilano University's esteemed Jazz Studies program. At Cap U, he studied under some of Western Canada's top instructors including Juno nominee Bill Coon and the Hard Rubber Orchestra's Ron Samworth. As a songwriter, Marc performs and records under the name “ReeVay.” Recent highlights include winning a Fraser Valley Music Award in 2022, being nominated for an additional FVMA in 2023, and showcasing at a variety of festivals across BC and Alberta.

Pavel holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from George Enesco University in Romania (1973-1979) and the University of Victoria master in level degree (1997-1999). He gained the Teacher Certificate in Suzuki Violin School at Victoria University (1993-1994). He has performed in the Symphony and Opera Orchestras in Bucharest, Romania (1979-1988); as concertmaster with the Beaux Company and "Straussiana Italiana"Philharmonic Orchestra and led the renowned Prometheus String Quartet in Rome. During this time, the orchestra won first prize and the gold medal at the International Competition "Foyer des Artistes". Since 1993, Pavel has been performing as Concertmaster for Burnaby Symphony, Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, as well as freelancing with the symphonies of Prince George, Kamloops, Viva Musica, Vancouver Island, Kelowna Philharmonic at the Mozart Festival, the Canada Day orchestra, and various chamber groups and ensembles around the Province. Pavel teaches violin private music lessons, group lessons, Suzuki lessons and music theory. He also presents student recitals and preparing students for RCM examinations; many of his students are recipients of RCM Silver and Gold Medal for their examinations.