Tim Nicola

Born in 1954, sculptor Tim Nicola, a Penobscot Indian, was raised on Indian Island - his tribe's reservation in the middle of the Penobscot River in Maine.  Growing up, Nicola had access to a workshop because his father, grandfather and grandmother were basket makers.

Like many others in his community, he carved wood as a boy, but early on his bent was for painting and drawing.  In 1980 he moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico in order to attend the Institute of American Indian Arts.  Although he initially enrolled as a painter, after a short time he became interested in three-dimensional arts to which he fast became devoted.

His first sculpture teacher was sculptor Doug Coffin, and another mentor was award-winning sculptor Doug Hyde.

In 1995, Tim's monumental bronze sculpture, The Life Givers, won 1st place, Best of Division in Bronze and Best of Class in Sculpture at Santa Fe's 74th Indian Market.  He placed first in stone works in the 75th, 76th, and 77th Indian Market, and has been awarded numerous other prizes and recognitions throughout his career.

Tim works in alabaster, marble and bronze.  He most often sculpts graceful, stylized female figures typically bearing baskets or water vessels.  "In my work," he explains, "composition, balance, line, rhythm, harmony, movement - all these come into play. Creating these pieces is a love affair - it really is."

Tim has recently returned to live on Indian Island, Maine.