Come Explore The Launceston Art Society

The Launceston Art Society (LAS) began life as the Launceston Drawing Club over 133 years ago by a group of women who desired to devote time to the educational influences of the study of fine arts.

LAS Workshops, Art Appreciate and Exhibitions

The Launceston Art Society continues with the educational theme by providing workshops, art appreciation and exhibition opportunities for all members, both female and male.

Image has a background of an abstract urban painting with the text reading Art Society Profile Join the Launceston Art Society's Journey Through Education, Workshops and Exhibitions Art Trails Tasmania

All Forms of Visual Art and the Launceston Art Society

The Launceston Art Society is passionate about all forms of visual art and this is demonstrated by our catalogued Art Collection.

The works in the collection evolved from various workshops, Award winners and donations and includes noted artists such as Carlene Bullock, Joseph Zbukvic, John Orlando Birt, Robert Weare, Alex Szolomiak and Tom Samek.

Our Life Members also contribute a piece of art to be added to the collection upon receiving this statis.

Image is of people at an art exhibition opening for the Art Society Profile Join the Launceston Art Society's Journey Through Education, Workshops and Exhibitions Art Trails Tasmania

Launceston Art Society Members

Launceston Art Society members have a wide spectrum of life skills and includes members from teaching, nursing, engineering, medical world and many other areas of employment as well as retirees and students.

Artistic skill levels range from professional award winning artists to novices – all are welcome.

We have multiple Glover Prize Finalists, winners of Meander Valley Art Award and NWAC at the Devonport Gallery as well as members who submit entries to the Archibald Prize. We look forward to celebrating our first finalists, hopefully in the near future , of this prestigious award – perhaps it could be you!

Image shows a background of a contemporary oil painting in pinks, blues, greens and oranges with the text reading Growing into a Trail of Art Exhibitions across Tasmania Art Trails Tasmania Art Exhibition at the galleries Sheffield Art Gallery, Poatina Tree Art Gallery, Jane Seychell Gallery St Helens, The Kitchen Collective Westbury Makers at the Courthouse Lilydale 24 October to 25 November 2024 2023 Winner Jacklyn Poke
Image is of people with a prize at an art exhibition opening for the Art Society Profile Join the Launceston Art Society's Journey Through Education, Workshops and Exhibitions Art Trails Tasmania

Weekly Meetings for the Launceston Art Society

The Launceston Art Society is located at the RSL Building, 313 Wellington Street, Launceston.

The studio is open every Wednesday between 10am to 3pm and is available to all members.

This is also the regular venue for social functions unless otherwise indicated. The Committee of LAS hold monthly meetings and the Executive meet as required. LAS currently hold their exhibitions at Legacy House, 59 York Street, Launceston – a space that is both easily accessed and welcoming.

Whereas workshops are held at our headquarters at 313 Wellington Street, Launceston also due to easy access and parking.

Warm, Friendly, Creative Environment

If you wish to be around other creatives then this is the place to meet and chat in a warm, friendly environment.

The LAS Lending Library

The Society also has a small lending library available to members as well as tea and coffee facilities.

Image is of an abstract urban painting for the Art Society Profile Join the Launceston Art Society's Journey Through Education, Workshops and Exhibitions Art Trails Tasmania
Image is of landscape painting for the Art Society Profile Join the Launceston Art Society's Journey Through Education, Workshops and Exhibitions Art Trails Tasmania

The Focus of the Launceston Art Society

The following quote from The Launceston Art Society in Retrospect 1891-1983 catalogue “Art is certainly a great word, often much abused, but we do not claim to be Art, the aim of the Society only being to follow her as humble worshippers.”

This premise is still applicable today as a strong focus of the Society is to promote skill development via regular workshops in various styles of art practice and mediums.

Serving the Arts Community

The art community benefits from the activities of the art society as it assists with various skills development through regular workshops and exhibitions.

These events create opportunities for members to form networks with like minded people as well as provide a cultural experience for the community.

LAS have been fortunate to have developed a lovely relationship with both the RSL and Legacy House and this factor has created opportunities for the local community to interact with our creative members in easily accessible venues.

Image is of a landscape painting for the Art Society Profile Join the Launceston Art Society's Journey Through Education, Workshops and Exhibitions Art Trails Tasmania
Image is of an abstract landscape painting for the Art Society Profile Join the Launceston Art Society's Journey Through Education, Workshops and Exhibitions Art Trails Tasmania

Creating a Community & Friendship

One of the aims of the Launceston Art Society is to encourage a sense of community and friendship amongst our membership.

The LAS enjoy welcoming new members with a morning tea or soup and sandwich luncheon.

Monthly Launceston Art Society Gatherings

There is a monthly group named Art’n’About which meets the first Friday of the month in order to visit exhibitions, artist studios and exhibitions and, weather permitting, plein-air sessions.

The Society has recently commenced an Art Appreciation session to facilitate discussion of various artists and art movements – both national and internationally.

Image is of people at an art exhibition opening in front of paintings for the Art Society Profile Join the Launceston Art Society's Journey Through Education, Workshops and Exhibitions Art Trails Tasmania
Image is of people at an art exhibition opening in front of paintings for the Art Society Profile Join the Launceston Art Society's Journey Through Education, Workshops and Exhibitions Art Trails Tasmania

A Big Year for the Launceston Art Society

Our Society has been very busy this year. We are currently in the process of opening an exhibition “OUR CITY” at Legacy House, 59 York Street , running from the 11th June – 21st June, 2024.

This event has been very well supported by LAS members and we look forward to a successful event.

In October we are endeavouring to create a new style of exhibition with the intention of providing a significant first prize.

The intention is to open this exhibition to non -members and should help to raise the profile of the Launceston Art Society. This will be a great opportunity to publicly promote art – watch this space!

Image is of portrait painting for the Art Society Profile Join the Launceston Art Society's Journey Through Education, Workshops and Exhibitions Art Trails Tasmania

About the Art Society

The Launceston Art Society is located at the RSL Building, 313 Wellington Street, Launceston. 7250

The Studio is open 10am to 3pm Wednesday (except during Christmas Holidays). All Welcome and we look forward to see you!

Follow the Launceston Art Society on Facebook  and explore their website, and their latest exhibitions, workshops and join their newsletter.

Image is of people at an art exhibition opening for the Art Society Profile Join the Launceston Art Society's Journey Through Education, Workshops and Exhibitions Art Trails Tasmania

Read Another Artist Profile…

The Joy of Life Through the Lens of Art with Christie Lange

The Joy of Life Through the Lens of Art with Christie Lange

Meet Binalong Bay Ceramist Artist Christie Lange My art making process starts with the joy of learning; about myself, others – human and non-human – and the world we all live in. I’m drawn to the lives of small organisms like fungi, lichens, mosses, slugs, plants,...

read more

Read What Our Members Say About Belonging

Join the growing, supportive artists community today and have your Artist story told here.

Click here to learn more in our Members’ Hub.

Belinda is doing a great job creating a professional looking artist hub online. Check out the profile I posted recently to see how well she does them. To all my artist friends let’s help make this THE go to place to discover local artists.

Read Evelyn’s Artist Profile here.

Evelyn Antonysen

Watercolour & Mixed Media Artist

You won’t regret joining Art Trails Tasmania . It’s a welcoming community for creatives at any career stage.
Becoming an Art Trails Tasmania member wasn’t a hard decision for me to make as it’s such a wealth of knowledge and support.
Being member provides a quality way to showcase your creative endeavours and it’s quickly growing in reach.
Maria Oakley

Mixed Media Artist

We operate a home based picture framing business and recently joined Art Trails Tasmania as a means to giving us exposure to the wider artist community. We have almost immediately seen increase in activity thru our online sites, which I am certain will lead to more opportunities to grow our business.

Read Greg’s Creative Business Profile here.

Greg Dennis

Spreyton Picture Framing

The Art Trails Tasmania blog shares Artist Profiles, Skills Sharing posts and event news

Artist Profile Stories

I want there to be more arts and crafts in our world, in our communities and in our own lives. Hopefully you’ve found this blog post inspiring and interesting.

So I’m creating, with your help, Art Trails Tasmania, allowing all of us who feel this love to create more of it.

And the Art Trails Tasmania blog is a key part of making this happen, telling the stories of members. It’s about what they have happening with workshops and classes, exhibitions, open studio trails, where to find their outlets, markets, fairs and festivals so you can shop their creations as well as their art and craft retreats.

Also being shared are the supporters of our artists, the galleries, shops, cafes, art societies and groups, places to stay and artist in residencies.