Art & Craft Attractions in Tasmania
Whether it's the cool climate, the stunning surroundings or simply because creative people tend to attract and inspire each other, there seems to be a disproportionate number of talented people craeting art and craft on The Apple Isle.
Woodworkers make the most of the unique and abundant rainforest timber while metalworkers and jewellers fashion gold, silver, bronze, precious stones and leather from local resources and painters seek to capture the soft, subtle light enjoyed on the island. Photographers are abound thanks to the photogenic scenery wherever you point the lens and writers draw on the moody and wild landscapes.
A great place to get a taste for Tasmania's creativity is Salamanca Place in Hobart where galleries, shops, markets and working studios call the capital home. Launceston also has a busy creative heart, promoting a thriving art scene in the city. Walk through the CBD and along the riverside to find a number of independent galleries that display local paintings, sculptures and ceramics. There are also many smaller creative communities (Deloraine, Bothwell, Stanley etc) where you can drop in to see works in progress and finished pieces.
Renowned for its deep appreciation for the arts, Tasmania nurtures burgeoning creatives and fine artists from a young age. Through the school systems and in the economic support provided to the scene, artists are granted residency programs, creative retreats and workshops. Whether you're seeking a trip to Tasmania which focuses on absorbing the art scene or rather you are looking to take part yourself, Tasmania is sure to impress.
More recently, it's the unbelievable MONA Gallery which has been attracting visitors from far and wide. Internationally acclaimed, this thought-provoking and immensely interesting exhibition space displays the best of modern art from around Tasmania and the world. Take the regular ferry from the centre of Hobart and approach from below the impressive cliffs at its entrance.
Our favourite Tasmanian arts markets:
- Cygnet Market, Cygnet
- The Market, Hobart's Masonic Temple
- MoMa, Museum of Old and New Art
- Oatlands Market, Oatlands
- Salamanca Market, Hobart
