Meet The Team
Alicia Markman
Art Consultant
Alicia Markman was born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, before moving to New York City to attend Fordham University, where she studied Journalism and Visual Arts with a focus on Photography. She recently moved to Sun Valley and is so excited to call this beautiful place home. She can’t wait to explore the area, spend more time outdoors and be surrounded by the incredible art and creative community that makes Sun Valley so special.
On her days off, you can find her hiking, reading, and hopefully learning how to ski!
Drink of Choice: Michelada with Pacifico!
Jenna Shamoon
Senior Art Consultant
Jenna came over to Whistler Contemporary Gallery from Hamilton, Ontario. After graduating from York University with an MA in Art History, Jenna worked as an independent curator creating exhibitions in Hamilton and Toronto, and has also worked in public galleries and in the field of fine art appraisal.
“I am happy to be stepping back into the world of Contemporary art! I'm excited for the opportunity to help clients grow their collections as well as build relationships with the many wonderful artists we represent.”
Drink of Choice: Dark and Stormy.
Tara Ryan
Senior Art Consultant
Tara grew up in Ontario, Canada, and moved to a mountain town "for a winter" in 2003.
“I love everything about the mountains and when I'm not in the Gallery I'm out exploring or painting them. I studied Art and Marketing in College and have worked in those fields for the majority of my career. Seeing how a particular painting can overwhelm the viewer with pure joy is one of my favourite things about being an Art Consultant.”
Drink of Choice: A Dusty's Voyager is a great way to end the ski day.
Dominique Schmaltz
Senior Art Consultant
Dominique was born and raised in Banff. 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.
Drink of Choice: Rosé of course!
Kinga Brassay
Art & Design Trade Specialist
Growing up in a family of professional artists, Kinga developed a lifelong passion for art and design. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Decorative Arts and Design and brings experience spanning interior design, luxury client service, and contemporary art. An artist herself, Kinga has created large scale abstract works for residential, hospitality, and design spaces, and also teaches art and design at the college level. "I approach art with a strong design perspective, considering how a piece can transform a space and become an integral part of the overall environment. For me, the most rewarding part is understanding a client's vision and helping them discover artwork that feels perfectly suited to their environment."
Drink of Choice: Classic gin and tonic.
You can reach Kinga here directly:
Marlese Sketchley
Team and Sales Manager
As Team and Sales Manager at Off Piste Fine Arts, Marlese leads with enthusiasm, creativity, and a genuine love for connecting people with art. Drawing on over 15 years of experience in fashion and retail, she brings a strong sense of style, presentation, and professionalism to the gallery. Originally from Houston, BC, and now based in Whistler, Marlese thrives on creating meaningful experiences for collectors and visitors alike.
Drink of Choice: I’m definitely a mood-based drinker... but I’ll never say no to a Caesar. Make it a double!
Tara Wolters
COO
Tara grew up on Vancouver Island and eventually landed in Vancouver to head to Business School. Craving the small town feel again, she moved up to Squamish and started working at Off Piste Fine Arts Ltd (DBA: Sun Valley Contemporary Gallery) as our COO. Bringing over 20 years of experience in luxury retail, distribution and management, she is excited to explore her new direction in the art world.
Drink of Choice: Tara will never turn down a nice glass of wine.
Ann Priftis
CEO
With over 28 years of experience in the fine art industry, Ann has held roles in commercial galleries, auction houses, art startups, and major tech companies - including Amazon. Now based in Seattle, WA, she originally hails from the East Coast of the U.S.
Ann’s passion for art has led her to explore inspiring art destinations around the world.
Along the way, she’s built lasting relationships with artists, collectors, and industry peers - connections she deeply values. Through her work with Off Piste, she continues to nurture and grow this vibrant network.