For nearly half a century, artist G. S. Hill has captured the essence and spirit of Nantucket in his paintings, documenting island life in beautifully textured and precise works that let viewers feel the wind in the sails and smell the salt air. His work is in exhibitions and collections around the world. And his contributions to our island extend far beyond his canvases.
This year, as the Artists Association of Nantucket (AAN) celebrates its 80th anniversary, the organization is honoring Hill with their Lifetime Achievement Award at a special dinner on July 31. He’s only the second artist in AAN’s history to receive this prestigious recognition.
“I’m overwhelmed: it’s the Artists Association’s 80th anniversary, and I’m 80 this year,” reflected Hill during a recent interview. The lifetime achievement award came as a surprise to this modest artist. “I feel so honored,” he said simply, “it was unexpected.”
Hill’s Lifetime Achievement Award honors not just his artistic excellence, but also his unwavering commitment to giving back to Nantucket. His volunteer work spans decades and has touched countless lives, particularly children. Every July 4th celebration on Nantucket, you’ll find him face-painting for youngsters, transforming small faces into works of art. He has also taught art to children, and he consistently volunteers his time at the August Boston Pops on Nantucket concerts that benefit Nantucket Cottage Hospital.
G.S. Hill is one of the island’s most generous donors of artwork for charitable causes. His paintings have raised tens of thousands of dollars a year for an impressive array of Nantucket organizations, including the Garden Club, Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Nantucket High School, The Homestead, Small Friends on Nantucket, the Nantucket Book Foundation, PASCON’s Dreamcatcher Auction, and MedFlight. His contributions extend to the AAN Gala, Nantucket Wine Festival, December Delight, the Grand Slam Tournament for Cystic Fibrosis, NiSHA, Nantucket Golf Club, The Lighthouse School, and the Nantucket Historical Association’s Baskets & Bubbly and Festival of Wreaths events.
Greg and Judi Hills’ connection to Nantucket began on a fog-shrouded night in 1978, when they first arrived on a late ferry. After settling in at the Jared Coffin House, they took a walk to the end of the wharf, where they discovered The Harbour Gallery “lit up with one of Greg’s paintings in the window—a painting of a ship coming out of the fog.” They looked at each other and said, “wouldn’t it be great someday to have a gallery here?… we had no clue [during that visit] that we’d own the gallery the next year.”
Reflecting on his long relationship with Nantucket, Hill expressed amazement at the passage of time: “”I can’t believe we’ve been on-island for 46 years! Nantucket has been so good to us, so we try to give back,” he commented.
As an artist, he’s drawn to the sea and the island’s light, early morning or late at night, and misty days. “I love painting on the wharves…the skyline…I never get tired of painting Nantucket.”
To commemorate Hill’s lifetime achievement, AAN has produced a special calendar running from July 2025 to June 2026, featuring G.S. Hill’s paintings as framable prints. The calendars are available at both the AAN and at G.S. Hill Gallery, offering art lovers a year-long celebration of his work.
As part of AAN’s 80th anniversary celebrations, the organization will display pieces from its permanent collection in their Big Gallery at 12 Straight Wharf, featuring works by Hill—some donated by the artist himself, others contributed by his devoted patrons over the years.
What sets the Artists Association of Nantucket apart, according to Hill, is its depth and community focus. Having been a member of artist associations in Lahina and in Seal Beach, Southern California, he praises the AAN’s comprehensive offerings—classes, workshops, galleries, and year-round programming—noting they serve both artists and the broader island community.
When asked about what he plans to do for the next 80 years, Hill’s answer was characteristically straightforward and passionate: “Paint.” At 80, his enthusiasm for his craft remains undiminished. “I still love painting— I’m so fortunate—I love what I do,” he shared. Currently, he’s working on a series of Rainbow Fleet paintings, continuing his lifelong depiction of Nantucket’s maritime character.
In a year when both artist and AAN celebrate eight decades of contribution to the arts, G.S. Hill’s recognition feels not just well-deserved, but also perfectly timed—a celebration of the enduring power of art to transform both creator and community.
