paranaple arts centre

Located in the heart of Devonport, the paranaple arts centre serves as a hub for exhibitions, performances and community events.

The arts centre is part of a broader development project aimed at revitalising Devonport’s city centre. Its name, paranaple, reflects the Indigenous heritage of the area, deriving from the Tasmanian Aboriginal word for the nearby Mersey River. The centre houses several key cultural institutions, including the Devonport Regional Gallery and the Devonport Library. These facilities contribute to the city’s growing reputation as a centre for creativity and learning.

The centre also plays an important role in preserving and showcasing the history and culture of Devonport and its surrounding areas. The Devonport Regional Gallery, in particular, has a strong focus on works by Tasmanian artists, providing insight into the island’s diverse artistic traditions. By hosting regular exhibitions, workshops and events, the paranaple arts centre supports both established and emerging talents while fostering a connection between the community and the arts.

What to see at the paranaple arts centre

The paranaple arts centre offers a range of attractions for visitors. The Devonport Regional Gallery is a central feature, showcasing a mix of contemporary and historical art. Its permanent collection includes works by significant Tasmanian and Australian artists, while temporary exhibitions often highlight local themes or international influences. Visitors can expect a varied programme, with changing displays ensuring there is always something new to explore.

In addition to the gallery, the centre hosts a range of performances and cultural events. The theatre is a versatile space that accommodates plays, concerts and film screenings. Local productions and touring performances are regularly featured, offering entertainment for a wide audience.

Temporary exhibitions at the Devonport Regional Gallery

The Devonport Regional Gallery has a programme of temporary exhibitions. Current and planned exhibitions include:

Becoming-Aqueous
This photographic project (until 21 June 2025) explores rising sea levels and the lesser-seen effects of climate change on the marine environment. Esther Touber uses natural materials gathered from southern lutruwita/Tasmania’s coastlines to create wearable objects. These ‘trappings’ are worn in unconventional ways to draw attention to the relationship between humans and the ocean. The work seeks to make visible what is often overlooked beneath the surface.

North West Art Circle Annual Community Art Exhibition & Awards 2025
This annual exhibition (until 28 June 2025) presents work by members of the North West Art Circle, a long-running group based in north-west Tasmania. Around 60 artists take part each year. The exhibition features a range of themes and media. It offers a snapshot of current creative activity within the group and reflects the artists’ varied approaches and interests.

Trace
Matt Calvert’s work reflects on the movement of people, vessels and time along the Mersey River in Devonport. The exhibition (until 12 July 2025) draws on research into local landmarks, including the Victoria Bridge and channel markers that guide ships through the river. Using glass and timber, the installation explores themes of memory, navigation and place. The project emerged during the development of the Entrance Markers commissioned by Devonport City Council.

Touching Other People’s Butterflies
Joan Ross’s Touching Other People’s Butterflies, on loan from the National Gallery of Australia, is displayed daily at Devonport Regional Gallery’s Market Square Screen at 10am and 2pm until 6 December 2026. This 2-minute-30-second digital animation reimagines Joseph Lycett’s Distant View of Hobart (1825), blending colonial and contemporary elements to explore themes of possession and dispossession in the Australian landscape. The loan is part of Australia’s Sharing the National Collection programme.

Visiting the paranaple arts centre

The paranaple arts centre is in the city centre with easy access to public transport and accommodation options.

The centre’s opening hours vary depending on the facilities and events. The Devonport Regional Gallery is open Monday–Saturday, although the theatre and event spaces may have extended hours depending on scheduled performances or activities.

Admission to the Devonport Regional Gallery is free, although some special exhibitions or workshops may have entry fees.

The paranaple arts centre also has its own on-site café and its central location means that there are plenty of other options for eating and drinking nearby.

Market Square, 145 Rookes Street, Devonport TAS 7310
Website www.paranapleartscentre.com.au
Admission Free
Open Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9am–2pm