The story of Lloyd and Frances Hill began in 1946 when they first acquired the Koksilah General Store and Post Office. Koksilah (pronounced coke-sy-la) is a small community on the East coast of Vancouver Island, just one mile south of Duncan.
During the early years, the Hills created an outlet for the local Native artists who were encouraged to display and sell their work. As time passed, visitors to Koksilah became aware of the Hill’s reputation and their unique art so word spread across the country. As the Hill family business expanded, new stores were opened on Vancouver Island in Victoria, Nanaimo and Campbell River. Hill’s flagship store, in the heart of Vancouver’s charming Gastown, is just steps away from the Frances Hill’s shop.
Gastown, founded in 1867, is Vancouver’s birthplace where you’ll be surprised and delighted by its historic Victorian architecture. Along its cobble-stoned streets are quaint courtyards, cafes, galleries, fine boutiques, shops and restaurants with day and night time entertainment. Every year, Hill’s Gallery becomes an integral part of the renowned du Maurier International Jazz Festival in June – an incredible multi-day event attended by 350,000 jazz enthusiasts.
With five outlets in British Columbia, Hill’s Native Art has acquired the largest and most varied collection of First Nations and Inuit arts and crafts. Hill’s has caught worldwide attention as the largest Northwest Coast Native Art Gallery in North America, and has exhibited hundreds of works by emerging and internationally renowned artists. At any given time, Hill’s features over 1200 Native artists and represents every Tribe and Nation of the Northwest Coast. |
