Exploring the world one sketch at a time
Image: Steve Howells, Princes Square (2022).
Known for its historical architecture, leafy green streetscapes and parks, it’s no wonder that Launceston has been the focus for the Launceston Urban Sketchers group.
The Launceston Urban Sketchers group is a thriving community made up of local sketch artists, connected to a global movement of Urban Sketchers.
The global movement was started in 2007 by US artist Gabriel Campanario as a means to raise the artistic, storytelling and educational value of a place, while connecting travelling sketch artists across the world.
In previous years, the Queen Victoria Art Gallery and Museum sites have been a central venue for the Launceston Urban Sketchers group.
In 2023, QVMAG is proud to host a display of works from the group for the first time, celebrating Launceston and surrounds.
City of Launceston Acting Mayor Matthew Garwood said the Urban Sketchers exhibition was a great way to explore Launceston through the eyes of local artists.
“This exhibition shares a fantastic range of sketch art by locals and captures they beauty of Launceston perfectly,” Cr Garwood said.
"It’s great to see such a large collection of this artwork on show, and I encourage everyone to head along to the Queen Victoria Art Gallery to have a look."
General Manager, Creative Arts and Cultural Services, Shane Fitzgerald said that the exhibition was a brilliant way to celebrate a global art movement.
“The Launceston Urban Sketchers group is a great group of locals, passionate about exploring our city through the art of sketching,” Fitzgerald said.
“We’ve been collaborating with the group for some years now as a venue for the group to meet and sketch the surroundings of the Museum and Art Gallery sites.
“To see this partnership transform into an exhibition is a great outcome. We’ve already had quite a high level of interest from our state-wide audiences who are looking forward to exploring this display.”
Urban Sketchers committee member Vicki Dewsbury said the exhibition will feature pages of sketches from new and long-time members of the group.
“Our group of 10-20 regulars are really in it for friendly, social engagement, the sheer pleasure of drawing or for the challenge each monthly meeting throws up,” Dewsbury said.
“While we focus on Launceston and interesting venues in north, we have met the Hobart chapter in the middle, and on occasion, members take the chance to meet other Urban Sketchers further afield.
“Those interested in joining Urban Sketchers Launceston via our Facebook page should definitely have some enthusiasm for drawing, though experience is not necessary.
“You can start with pen and a piece of paper, many of us do just that. Others will get out their jewel-boxes of colour; opera pink, chartreuse and turquoise, just for the fun of it. Some even go 'neue-school' with iPads and the fantastic Tasmanian developed app, Procreate.”
Urban Sketchers is on display at the Art Gallery at Royal Park until 20 August with free entry.