Henry Nolla Art Gallery

Master Carver Henry Nolla has a deep and enduring connection to the Inn. He came to the McDiarmid family during the construction of their cabin and became the resident artisan who handcrafted every adzed beam during the construction of the Inn. He also carved the stunning yellow cedar entrance doors, showcasing his exceptional craftsmanship and artistry.

Double doors at the Wickaninnish Inn featuring a carved orca design by Henry Nolla
Front doors of the Beach Building, carved by Henry Nolla

A living tribute

The gallery celebrates Henry’s talent and legacy. Throughout the year, we host rotating exhibits featuring works by local artists from Tofino, Vancouver Island and British Columbia. Stop by to view exhibitions inspired by our beautiful surroundings, from photography to fibre art to blown glass, woodcarvings, oil paintings and more.

Featured exhibits: Please visit our events calendar to see what is currently on display.

Location: The Henry Nolla Art Gallery is located in the Wickaninnish Inn’s Beach Building, next to the Driftwood Café.

Hours: Same as the Driftwood Café

  • Spring/Summer: 7:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • **July & August: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • Fall & Winter: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm

Contact:

A piece of Inn history

When visiting the gallery, be sure to look at the adze displayed in the glass case, which was forged and designed by Henry Nolla himself. Henry and his son, Mark, used this special tool to hand-adze much of the beams at the Inn. It embodies Henry’s talent in design, generous spirit, and unwavering dedication to his craft.

Be sure to also experience Henry Nolla’s Carving Shed, just a short walk down Chesterman Beach on the shoreline just south of the Beach Building. Look for the Open sign to enter and meet the current carvers in residence, “Feather George” Yearsley and Christen Dokk Smith.

Henry Nolla’s carving adze displayed in a glass case surrounded by cedar wood chips
Heny's adze, hanging in the gallery
Henry Nolla carving cedar with his adze inside his carving shed
Henry Nolla adzing a beam

Art around the Wick

Inside the Pointe and Beach Buildings, discover a collection of permanent pieces by local artists, including Craig Benson's “Content Sealion”, Maxwell Newhouse’s driftwood furniture, whimsical paintings by Francine Peters, and Bjorn Banke’s “Coastal Spirit” sculpture. Walk the grounds to find kinetic sculptures by Lyman Whitaker, handmade rain chains by ÜRS and Dan Law’s Driftwood Ravens standing guard at the edge of Chesterman Beach.

Three carved raven sculptures installed on driftwood posts overlooking Chesterman Beach
Dan Law's Driftwood Ravens
Interior of The Pointe Restaurant with coastal-inspired carvings and wood detailing
Bjorn Banke's Coastal Spirit
The Beach Lobby at the Wickaninnish Inn with a stone fireplace, carved cedar artwork, and large windows overlooking cedar trees
Artwork in the Beach Building lobby

Tofino art walks

The seclusion and natural beauty of Tofino have been a source of inspiration for countless artists. Explore the vibrant art scene by strolling through local galleries or following the self-guided Tofino Art Walks through downtown Tofino or along the Multi-Use Path.