Meet The Team

Beth McLachlan

Marketing Coordinator & Art Consultant

With a BFA from the University of Windsor and a Graphic Design certificate from George Brown College, Beth moved from Ontario to the small community of Jasper, AB in 2018. She joined the Mountain Galleries team in 2021 as an Art Consultant and works with local businesses on graphic design, public relations and social media marketing. 

In her spare time, Beth coaches volleyball at the local high school, volunteers on a number of local non-profits and is a proud dog mom to Zeke.
 

Marlese Sketchley

Gallery Manager - Whistler Fairmont

Marlese is the dynamic Gallery Manager at Mountain Galleries Whistler. Originally from Houston, BC, she's made Whistler her home for the past decade. Her diverse 13-year background spans from fast fashion to outdoor sports apparel, showcasing her adeptness at visual merchandising and product selection. 

With a keen eye for detail and a passion for the art industry, Marlese is a valuable addition to the Mountain Galleries team.

Katie Leaf

Gallery Manager - Banff Fairmont

Katie is the eager Assistant Gallery Manager at Mountain Galleries Banff. Originally from Ontario, she fell in love with Western Canada and has made Banff her home for the past 3 years. Passionate about art at a young age, Katie found an interest in metal work, taught by her father, she continued to learn, create, and exhibit sculptures in this medium. Katie earned her Bachelors Degree in Fine Art at McMaster University. Since graduating Katie spent years travelling, and teaching skiing all while creating and nurturing an unwavering passion for art.

Katie is currently studying Art Therapy and is looking to share this practice through her work and in the Bow Valley, she believes art is important to foster self awareness, promote insight and cultivate creative expression.

Katie is inspired to lead a gallery that connects art enthusiasts from all walks of life.

Sharon Smith

Senior Art Consultant, Artist in Residence - Whistler Fairmont

Sharon Smith graduated with distinction from San Francisco's Academy of Art College in 1988. Upon graduation, she was honoured to show in the annual New York Society of Illustrators Show. Returning to her home in Vancouver, Sharon promptly attained representation in communication arts, working for ten years in the industry. She has carried on her passion for painting while raising her family in Whistler, participating in numerous group shows and workshops during this time.

 A treasured addition to the Whistler Mountain Galleries' team since July 2010, Sharon's extensive art and illustration background bring valued expertise to our discerning clientele.

Jacqueline de Grave

Art Consultant, Artist in Residence  - Jasper Fairmont

Jacqueline joined the Mountain Galleries Jasper team in 2019 from Toronto, Ontario after receiving her BA Honours Degree in History and minoring in Museum and Gallery Curation. When in Toronto, Jacqueline devoted her time to working and volunteering within art organizations including volunteering at the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Gardiner Museum and on Canadian Film sets. 

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An avid hiker, Jacqueline continues to enjoy her time out West; tackling new trails and taking in the beauty the Rocky Mountains have to offer.

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Jacqueline’s affinity for the arts is best represented by the following;

“For the arts epitomize, intensify and clarify the experience of beauty for us as nothing else can.” - Lawren Harris, Group of Seven

Holly Wardle

Art Consultant - Whistler Fairmont

Holly, originally from the UK, is a distinguished art consultant renowned for her expertise with Mountain Galleries. With a discerning eye and a passion for both contemporary and classical art, she bridges the gap between artists and art enthusiasts, helping them discover and appreciate pieces that resonate deeply. Her British roots bring a unique perspective to the gallery, infusing a blend of European sensibilities with local aesthetics, ensuring that every curated piece stands out in its own right.

Dominique Schmaltz

Store Lead - Senior Art Consultant - Banff Fairmont

Dominique was born and raised in Banff, and she has a deep appreciation and passion for this vibrant town. The Banff community and the mountains bring immense joy to her life. Dominique loves the various ways artists express nature through their works and finds it captivating to be in the gallery, witnessing how these creations impact those who come to experience them.Working part-time at the gallery, while being a full-time parent and volunteer, Dominique keeps herself busy. 

On her days off, she can be found atop Tunnel, at the ski hill, on the river, or simply going for a walk with Daisy the dog. 

Dominique received a BA in English Literature and History from Bishop's University, a BHSc in Addictions Counseling at the University of Lethbridge, and studied Education at the University of Calgary.

Alexander Jones

Art Consultant - Banff Fairmont

Alexander Jones is an Australian-born landscape photographer who is currently based in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. His photography showcases the beauty of the region he calls home, having fallen in love with it upon his first sighting in February 2013, from a Greyhound motor coach in Banff National Park. Considering the Canadian Rockies to be as far away from his birthplace as possible, Jones finds great joy in capturing the breathtaking landscapes, crystal blue lakes, and striking glaciers.

Jones' passion for the natural world extends to capturing images of man-made structures like freight locomotives in these settings, adding an intriguing contrast to his work. Though his initial background was in video editing, Jones found the prospect of exploring the world through landscape photography irresistible, and this field has since become his perfect fit. His work frequently exhibits this unique blend of nature and machinery.

Khalil Martin

Art Consultant - Banff Fairmont

Khalil has always had an interest in taking pictures as a child, with cameras being integrated into smartphones more and more. But he didn't fully pursue photography until 2017 when he bought his first DSLR camera. He had no idea what settings to use or how to edit the photos. Eventually, he started getting the hang of it, and over time going out to take pictures became his favourite thing to do with any spare time that he had. 

Now, photography has taken Khalil all across the country to this lovely town in the mountains. He's excited for the future and to turn his hobby into a profession.

Jane Barette-Duckworth

Remote Art Consultant - Off Piste Fine Arts

Originally from Montreal, Jane studied Studio Arts in CEGEP and continued taking art history courses throughout her Bachelor's degree at McGill University. Since graduating, she's spent time painting at the Montreal Art Centre and travelling, by doing painting workaways. 

Naturally drawn to art, Jane has joined our team eager to be more involved in the art world and learn from those in it.

"Art and communication are meaningful to me for similar reasons, they allow us to understand and connect with one another more deeply.”

Jennifer d'Entremont

Art Consultant - Banff Fairmont

Jennifer grew up in Boiestown, New Brunswick. Since 2015, she has been involved in the arts community of the Bow Valley on the board of directors, and instructing at artsPlace while maintaining her own art practice. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Alberta University of the Arts.

“I love everything about art: making it, looking at it, and talking about it. I am looking forward to being in a space where I can witness a client's eyes light up when they have a connection with a piece of art. It’s pretty magical.”