Art and history collide in our next railway-inspired Arts on Site workshop.
Join us for a captivating journey through Tasmanian railway history as we explore the Blacksmith Shop at the Museum at Inveresk. This exhibition showcases the historical significance of the Blacksmith Shop, where blacksmiths and tradesmen shaped red-hot metal by hand and machine, crafting the essential tools and machinery that kept the railway – and other industries – running.
Guided by Launceston artist Manuela Pilz, this hands-on workshop invites you to journey back in time, exploring the tools and machines that once powered this historic workspace. Immerse yourself in the exhibition’s stories and textures, drawing inspiration from its rich industrial past.
You'll begin with sketching techniques, learning how to capture form and structure, before progressing to charcoal drawing, focusing on light, shadow, and texture. Whether you’re new to charcoal or looking to refine your skills, this workshop offers insight and techniques to elevate your art.
Join us for this unique creative experience, where history fuels artistic expression, and celebrate Tasmania’s railway heritage through the beauty of charcoal drawing.
About the workshop
- This workshop is suitable for adults and young adults of all experience levels [ages 16+] who are curious about the intersection of art and history.
- The registration fee includes all materials.
- The workshop's location is the Queen Victoria Museum at Inveresk, 2 Invermay Road, Invermay, Launceston.
About the artist
Born in Berlin, Manuela Pilz was raised in Sydney and now calls Launceston, Tasmania, her home. She is an artist specialising in drawing and painting, with a particular passion for working directly from life.
Manuela began her fine art training at Sheffield Hallam University in the UK and further honed her artistic skills at the prestigious Florence Academy in Italy and Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney. She is a qualified art teacher from Greenwich University and has taught at universities, high schools, and primary schools.
Manuela draws inspiration from both the expressionistic works of artists like Käthe Kollwitz and Degas and the classical drawings of Europe. Her art is an exploration of mark-making and the representation of light to reveal form using various media.
Since relocating to Tasmania, Manuela has found new inspiration in the people, wildlife, stories, and landscapes of her adopted home. Her work reflects the human condition and particularly the emotions of creatives living in Tasmania.
Currently, Manuela imparts her skills and passion for art by teaching drawing at her school online and in central Launceston. She inspires teenagers and a new generation of young artists to engage in the art of drawing from life and to immerse themselves in the act of observation and creation.
www.manuelapilzart.com
About the exhibition
Explore a series of buildings where blacksmiths and other tradesmen worked, shaping heated metal by hand and machine.
The buildings of the Blacksmith Shop were built between 1909 and 1937. Blacksmiths and other tradesmen worked in this area, shaping metal with either hand tools or a variety of mechanical hammers.
The Blacksmith Shop was in operation until the site closed in 1994 and now forms part of the Museum at Inveresk.
Blacksmith Shop
Museum at Inveresk, 2 Invermay Road, Launceston
Free entry | Open daily | 10am to 4pm
About QVMAG's Arts on Site program
Our ongoing series will immerse you in a vibrant blend of art techniques, taking inspiration from our current exhibitions and with expert guidance from our passionate facilitators.
With monthly workshops held across our two sites at the Queen Victoria Art Gallery at Royal Park and the Museum at Inveresk, participants can explore photography, sketching, drawing, watercolour painting, oil painting, textile design, and interior design.
Arts on Site provides the perfect opportunity for seasoned artists and curious beginners alike to elevate your artistic skills and connect with a community of creators.
Find out more about this exciting series at www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/Arts-on-Site