The Art Society of Tasmania was founded as the Tasmanian Art Association in 1884 by Louisa Swan and Maria Evans as a means to cultivate artistic culture and practice in the

Colony of Tasmania The Colony of Tasmania (more commonly referred to simply as "Tasmania") was a British colony that existed on the island of Tasmania from 1856 until 1901, when it federated together with the five other Australian colonies to form the Commonwealt ...

History

Two young artists, Louisa Swan, a landscape painter and enamellist, and Maria Evans, founded the Society as the Tasmanian Art Association. Swan served as the society's first Treasurer and Evans its first Secretary, with Sir James Agnew its founding President, serving for seventeen years. The Society gained impressive early membership, which included renowned Australian artists including

William Piguenit William Charles Piguenit (27 August 1836 – 17 July 1914) was an Australian landscape painter. Early life Piguenit was born in Hobart, Tasmania, to Frederick Le Geyt Piguenit and Mary Ann née Igglesden. Frederick had been transported to V ...

Arthur Streeton Sir Arthur Ernest Streeton (8 April 1867 – 1 September 1943) was an Australian landscape painter and a leading member of the Heidelberg School, also known as Australian Impressionism. Early life Streeton was born in Mt Moriac, Victoria, sou ...

and

Gother Victor Fyers Mann Gother Victor Fyers Mann (1863– 1948), also known as G. V. F. Mann, was an Australian architect, painter and Gallery Director. Life Mann was born in Sydney on 8 October 1863. He was the fourth child of the surveyor John Frederick Mann a ...

. The society's events attracted interstate talent including

Julian Ashton Julian Rossi Ashton (27 January 185127 April 1942) was an English-born Australian artist and teacher. He is best known for founding the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney and encouraging Australian painters to capture local life and scenery '' ...

Tom Roberts Thomas William Roberts (8 March 185614 September 1931) was an English-born Australian artist and a key member of the Heidelberg School art movement, also known as Australian impressionism. After studying in Melbourne, he travelled to Europe i ...

Frederick McCubbin Frederick McCubbin (25 February 1855 – 20 December 1917) was an Australian artist, art teacher and prominent member of the Heidelberg School art movement, also known as Australian impressionism. Born and raised in Melbourne, Victoria, McCubb ...

and

Blamire Young William Blamire Young (9 August 1862 – 14 January 1935), commonly known as Blamire Young, was an English/Australian artist who painted primarily in watercolour. Biography Early life Young was born at Londesborough, Yorkshire, the second son ...

. Through Swan and Evans' dedication, the society gained notoriety in the Australian arts world through its annual exhibitions of paintings, drawings, sculptures and wood carvings, showcasing Tasmanian artists including Lucien Dechaineux, Curzona Allport, Florence Aline Rodway, Edith Holmes and Dorothy Stoner. Historical council members have included Mildred Lovett and

Violet Vimpany Violet Emma Vimpany (née Alomes, 15 April 1886 – 2 March 1979) was an Australian painter and etcher, and in later life also a master stonemason. She was an active member of, and regular exhibitor with, the Art Society of Tasmania. Her work is ...

. In its early years, exhibitions were held in locations including the

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) is a museum located in Hobart, Tasmania. The museum was established in 1846, by the Royal Society of Tasmania, the oldest Royal Society outside England. The TMAG receives 400,000 visitors annually. ...

, the

Hobart GPO General Post Office (abbreviation GPO, commonly known as the Hobart GPO) is a landmark building located on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Macquarie Street in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. It stands next to the former Mercury Building and ha ...

town hall In local government, a city hall, town hall, civic centre (in the UK or Australia), guildhall, or a municipal building (in the Philippines), is the chief administrative building of a city, town, or other municipality. It usually houses ...

and arbitrary locations such as the Lord Mayor's Court Room, department stores, and a Masonic Hall. The society has operated from the Lady Franklin Gallery since 1949.

Legacy

The Art Society of Tasmania was the first of its kind in Australia to be founded by women.

References

External links

The Art Society of Tasmania
{{DEFAULTSORT:Art Society of Tasmania, The 1884 establishments in Australia Arts organisations based in Australia Art schools in Australia Clubs and societies in Tasmania Organisations based in Hobart