The RST Art Committee has been busy preparing for a major series of exhibitions to run over the next three years. The concept behind the series is to bring the Society’s exceptional Art Collection to the people of regional Tasmania.
The exhibition series opens in Oatlands in August 2025 with follow up Hidden Treasures exhibitions in Longford (January – February, 2026) and Queenstown (Late February – March/April, 2026).
We use the title of “Hidden Treasures“ as the RST Art Collection has been assessed as being of National Significance and yet the vast majority of the works have not been seen by the public. At each venue, the Hidden Treasures Exhibition has a theme relevant to that venue. High quality framed prints will be exhibited rather than the originals. This allows exhibitions to take place in a variety of community venues that are not suitable for displaying original artworks.
The Southern Midlands Council has been very supportive of the event in every aspect and have provided two of their heritage buildings for the Oatlands exhibition: the gaoler’s residence and the court house. The exhibition features Tasmanian paintings by John Skinner Prout, Louisa Anne Meredith, Charles William Piguenit and Simpkinson de Wesselow from the 1840s to 1900 period.
Oatlands: Gaolers Residence and Court House
August 8th and 9th at the Heritage and Bullock Festival
Longford: The Woolmers Heritage Estate
Early January to mid-February 2026
Queenstown: The Galley Museum and Soggy Brolley Gallery
Late February to March/April 2026
Three other venues for exhibitions in late 2026 and 2027 are yet to be negotiated.
Examples of RST Limited Edition Prints at the Oatlands exhibition in August:
The Royal Society of Tasmania acknowledges, with deep respect, the traditional owners of this land, and the ongoing custodianship of the Aboriginal people of Tasmania. The Society pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge that Tasmanian Aboriginal Peoples have survived severe and unjust impacts resulting from invasion and dispossession of their Country. As an institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, the Royal Society of Tasmania recognises Aboriginal cultural knowledge and practices and seeks to respect and honour these traditions and the deep understanding they represent.
On 15 February 2021, the Royal Society of Tasmania offered a formal Apology to the Tasmanian Aboriginal people. Read more