Community Spotlight: Tasmanian Artists & Makers

Tasmania’s creative community is deeply rooted in place. From the tidal rhythms of the Tamar River to the historic streets of Launceston and the windswept coastline of George Town, artists across lutruwita/Tasmania are responding to landscape, community, and culture in meaningful ways.

In this Community Spotlight, we’re celebrating artists connected to Northern Tasmania – especially the Tamar Valley – whose work shapes and strengthens our regional arts scene.

🎨 Emily-Rose Wills

Based in Kinimathatakinta/George Town, Emily-Rose Wills is a contemporary artist whose practice explores memory, place, and identity. Her abstract works often draw from the landscapes of Northern Tasmania – layered, gestural, and emotionally resonant.

Beyond her studio practice, Emily-Rose plays a vital role in community arts development. Through her work with George Town Council, she has supported exhibitions, cultural programming, and creative opportunities that nurture local voices. Her commitment to both personal practice and public arts leadership makes her a cornerstone of the Tamar Valley’s cultural life.

Website: https://www.emilyrosewills.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyroser/

🖌️ James Cowan (kreamart)

Known professionally as kreamart, James Cowan is one of Tasmania’s most recognisable mural and street artists. His bold, large-scale works transform public spaces across Launceston and beyond, often featuring native flora, fauna, and hyper-real portraiture.

His murals inject colour and energy into urban environments while creating accessible art experiences outside traditional gallery walls. Through workshops and youth engagement, he also fosters creative expression within the community — proving that art belongs everywhere.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kreamart/

🎨 Pat Brassington

Originally from Launceston, Pat Brassington is one of Australia’s most acclaimed photo-media artists. Her surreal, psychologically layered works have been exhibited nationally and internationally. While her reach is global, her Tasmanian roots remain part of her artistic story.

🖼️ Philip Wolfhagen

A celebrated Tasmanian painter, Philip Wolfhagen is known for his atmospheric landscapes that capture the shifting light and mood of Tasmania’s environment. His work reflects a deep, contemplative engagement with place = something that resonates strongly within the Tamar Valley’s landscape tradition.

Website – https://www.philipwolfhagen.com/

🌾 Why Regional Art Matters

Regional artists don’t create in isolation – they create in conversation with land, history, and community. In the Tamar Valley, that conversation is shaped by river systems, agricultural heritage, coastal winds, and a strong sense of local identity.

Artists such as Emily-Rose Wills and kreamart demonstrate that impactful creative careers can flourish here. Established names like Pat Brassington and Philip Wolfhagen remind us that Tasmanian artists hold national and international significance.

Supporting local artists means investing in cultural resilience, economic sustainability, and shared storytelling.

The Tamar Valley isn’t just a wine region or scenic drive – it’s a living, evolving creative landscape.

To see more of our amazing Tasmanian talent, be sure to check out Tasmanian Maker’s Journal. It’s a hub of all things creative.