Jack Shadbolt is one of the giants of Canadian art. He was born in England in 1909, but grew up in Victoria, and graduated from Victoria College (now the University of Victoria) in 1927. Shadbolt was a major force in bringing new ideas, particularly abstraction, to BC. Though he experimented with numerous different styles and techniques throughout his long life, his work was always rooted in the landscape of his home here on the BC coast. He died in 1998.

Luis Merino was born in 1942 in Mexico City. He started life drawing lessons at age 15 and went on to study visual arts at the San Carlos Academy of Fine Arts in Mexico City between 1967-1969. In 1970, Merino immigrated to Canada, settling in Victoria in 1972. He soon became a prominent and active member in the local arts community. He painted murals inside various public buildings, as well as private establishments such as Hugo's Bar and Grill, and produced large outdoor sculptures for areas such as Market Square.

Joanna Strong is a local artist and daughter of former University of Victoria President Dr. David Strong.

Jimmy Wright is an expatriate American graduated from the University of Berkeley with a degree in economics more than 35 years ago. He now paints full time in his studio in Victoria.