Mara Szyp is a Victoria, BC artist and exhibiting member of several Vancouver Island arts organizations and galleries.
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
South Shore Gallery — Represented Artist
I’m honoured to be represented by South Shore Gallery in Sooke, British Columbia — a vibrant fine art gallery and creative hub that champions original artwork by West Coast artists, local makers, and community creatives. At South Shore Gallery, my work isn’t just exhibited: it sells and connects.
South Shore Gallery showcases a diverse selection of original fine art, and I’m proud that this partnership includes both my oil paintings and my driftwood and woodwork pieces, reflecting my passion for blending landscape painting with nature-inspired sculptural forms. My work has found homes here, including the sale of two significant canvas pieces titled Aftermath — shown in the Salon des Refusés after submission to the prestigious Sooke Fine Arts Show juried exhibition — and French Beach, which were both purchased directly from the gallery’s curated collection.
Through this gallery representation, my West Coast landscapes, coastal seascapes, and textured nature-based works are presented to collectors seeking meaningful original art from Vancouver Island. South Shore Gallery provides a professional, highly visible platform that elevates my artistic presence, connects my work with regional and visiting collectors, and celebrates the full breadth of my practice — from painterly horizons to handcrafted wood art.
Station Street Gallery & Frame Shop — Represented Artist
I am proudly represented by Station Street Gallery & Frame Shop in Duncan, British Columbia. This established Vancouver Island gallery and custom framing destination supports professional artists whose work reflects excellence in craftsmanship and artistic vision.
Through this representation, my original oil paintings — including West Coast seascapes, textured landscapes, and contemporary nature-inspired works — are exhibited in a curated fine art environment that serves collectors across Vancouver Island and beyond.
Station Street Gallery expands the reach of my work within the Cowichan Valley arts community and connects my paintings with collectors seeking original Canadian landscape art.
Professional Memberships
Federation of Canadian Artists & FCA Victoria Chapter
The Victoria Chapter is a group of members of the Federation of Canadian Artists that meet locally for the purposes of social gathering, organizing workshops and exhibitions, and other local activities. It offers regular programs and workshops designed to raise artistic standards by stimulating participants to greater heights of achievement. The Victoria Chapter. has over 160 members from Sooke to Lands End, and from Mill Bay to Saltspring and the Gulf Islands,
Active since 2021 - Present
Saanich Peninsula Arts and Crafts Society (SPACS)
I am an exhibiting member of the Saanich Peninsula Arts and Crafts Society (SPACS), an established arts organization serving artists across the Saanich Peninsula in British Columbia. Through SPACS exhibitions and programs, I present my original oil paintings inspired by coastal British Columbia, ocean horizons, and expressive natural textures.
As an artist based on Vancouver Island, my work bridges contemporary landscape painting with emotional connection to nature — something I proudly share through SPACS exhibitions and collector opportunities.
Active since 2022 - Present
I am a member of the ArtSea Community Arts Council, a leading arts organization supporting visual artists in Sidney and the surrounding Vancouver Island region. Through exhibitions and arts programming, I showcase my West Coast oil paintings, including seascapes, landscapes, and nature-inspired contemporary works.
ArtSea allows my artwork to reach collectors seeking original fine art that captures the light, atmosphere, and spirit of coastal British Columbia.
Active since 2021 to 2026
Sooke Arts Council
I am an exhibiting member of the Sooke Arts Council, a respected arts organization supporting visual artists in Sooke, British Columbia. Through this membership, I exhibit my original oil paintings inspired by West Coast landscapes, coastal seascapes, and nature on Vancouver Island.
As a Vancouver Island artist specializing in expressive landscapes and contemporary coastal art, I value being part of a council that connects local artists with collectors, galleries, and community exhibitions. My work shown through the Sooke Arts Council reflects my commitment to capturing the textures, movement, and atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest.
Active since 2020 - Present
Arts & Culture Colwood
I am a member of Arts & Culture Colwood, an arts organization dedicated to promoting local artists in Colwood and the Westshore region of British Columbia. Through curated exhibitions and community arts initiatives, I exhibit my original oil paintings rooted in West Coast landscapes and contemporary abstract interpretations of nature.
Being part of Arts & Culture Colwood strengthens my visibility as a Vancouver Island oil painter and allows collectors to discover my coastal seascapes and textured landscape artwork in an established gallery setting.
Active since 2019 - Present
