Nolan Gallery & School of Art

A Historic Waterfront Gallery in Hobart's Salamanca Precinct

Nolan Gallery & School of Art occupies a cherished space within Salamanca's sandstone heritage, housed in a restored 77 Salamanca Place—one of seven connected warehouses that once served Tasmania's whaling and jam-making industries. Today, this iconic precinct thrives as the Salamanca Arts Centre, a hub for visual and performing arts owned by the Tasmanian people. Tucked upstairs from the Tricycle Café and adjacent to the Long Gallery, Nolan Art has become a distinctive fixture in Hobart's cultural landscape, blending contemporary gallery space with hands-on art education since 1999.

The gallery's location in Salamanca is not merely convenient—it's integral to the visitor experience. This vibrant waterfront neighbourhood attracts locals, conference delegates, and tourists alike, making Nolan an accessible destination for anyone exploring Hobart's arts precinct. The historic warehouse setting reinforces the gallery's commitment to quality and authenticity, creating an atmosphere where art and education exist as natural companions in a space steeped in creative history.

Contemporary Tasmanian Artists Across Multiple Disciplines

Nolan Gallery showcases a diverse roster of contemporary Tasmanian artists working in photography, printmaking, painting, jewellery, and sculpture. The gallery's commitment to local artistic voices is evident in its carefully curated exhibitions, which span everything from traditional plein air landscape and grand Romanticism to restrained abstraction and figurative work. Featured artists such as Rebecca Watson bring compelling figure studies to the gallery walls, whilst emerging practitioners like Sam Woolmer and Jay Sykes demonstrate the breadth of talent represented. This mix ensures that visitors encounter both established and novice voices, reflecting Hobart's thriving visual arts community.

The current Autumn Show exemplifies this inclusive approach, presenting an expansive range of original works suited to varying tastes and budgets. Whether collectors seek contemporary abstract pieces, landscape paintings, portraiture, or realist studies, the gallery's inventory reflects the full spectrum of contemporary artistic practice in Tasmania. The inclusion of Nolan Gallery in the Tasmanian Government's Collect Art Scheme underscores the quality and significance of the works on offer, making original Tasmanian art accessible through interest-free loans and flexible purchasing options including lay-by arrangements.

Year-Round Exhibition Program and Monthly Openings

The gallery maintains an active exhibition calendar punctuated by monthly openings that serve as social and cultural gatherings within Hobart's arts community. Recent programming includes the Autumn Show and ensemble exhibitions featuring mixed media work by multiple artists. Upcoming events are aligned with the broader Tasmanian arts calendar—notably Dark Mofo, the gallery's upcoming contribution centred on the theme of 'The Beauty' for 2026. This rhythmic programming ensures the gallery remains a dynamic venue that encourages repeat visits and sustained engagement with contemporary Tasmanian practice.

Term-based class schedules align the gallery's exhibition cycle with its school operations, creating natural breakpoints for new shows and community interaction. This integration of display and education fosters an environment where viewers are invited to consider not only finished works but the creative processes that generate them. Visitors can expect to discover new acquisitions and artistic perspectives with each seasonal shift, making the gallery a worthwhile destination throughout the year.

Boutique Art Tuition and Creative Workshops

What sets Nolan apart from many Australian art galleries is its integrated school of art, offering boutique tuition for all skill levels and interests. Private lessons, group classes, and specialised workshops span introductory oil painting, abstraction, drawing, and beyond. The school caters to visiting conference delegates and business travellers seeking enriching experiences, arranging tuition within the loft classroom at Salamanca Place or delivering outreach programs along Hobart's waterfront and selected southern Tasmanian sites. Holiday workshops for children and full-day sessions for adults provide accessible entry points for those exploring their creative interests.

Beyond conventional instruction, the gallery embraces a refreshingly practical and convivial approach to art engagement. 'Rather painty art parties' offer social drawing experiences, whilst the space welcomes commissions, portrait sessions for special occasions, and intimate gatherings. Gift certificates for workshops and classes, redeemable over twelve months, make Nolan an attractive choice for gifts. This blend of exhibition, sales, and teaching positions the gallery not as a rarefied institution but as an active, welcoming creative hub where art-making and art appreciation occur side by side.

Visiting Nolan Gallery: Practical Information

Nolan Gallery & School of Art welcomes walk-in visitors keen to browse original works, purchase from its online shop, or inquire about classes and commissions. The gallery's central location at 77 Salamanca Place puts it within easy reach of Hobart's waterfront precinct, restaurants, and other cultural venues. Visitors can expect a warm, conversational atmosphere—staff are on hand to discuss works, explain the Collect Art Scheme, or discuss booking a workshop tailored to individual needs. The online shop extends the gallery's reach, allowing patrons to browse and purchase Tasmanian art without visiting in person, though the in-person experience offers irreplaceable opportunities to encounter works at scale and engage directly with the Nolan community.