This exhibition unveils the artistic legacy of the Mitchell family – the talents of Catherine Augusta Mitchell, her daughters Catherine Penwarne Ball, and Sarah Elizabeth Emma Mitchell, who thrived on Tasmania’s east coast in the 1860s.

Through their intricate drawings and paintings, they captured the essence of their daily lives and vibrant community activities. Horseback adventures led them into unfamiliar forests and along wild coastlines, resulting in their creation of a visual chronicle of their experiences.

Central to this exhibition is the remarkable collaboration between Catherine Penwarne Mitchell, or ‘Dear Kate,’ and her sister Sarah. Even after Dear Kate’s passing in 1878, Sarah devoted nearly seven decades to preserving their shared artistic efforts, with the invaluable support of their niece Grace Mitchell.

The culmination of their dedication resulted in The Mitchell Scrapbook, the life-long work of these women, and a precious handmade treasure that forms the exhibition’s foundation.

In the 1940s, Sarah, then in her 90s, entrusted her late sister’s exquisite ink drawings to the Royal Society of Tasmania, ensuring their preservation. Today, 150 years later, we witness a collection of miniature images teeming with life, adventure, and historical significance. This exhibition pays homage to Dear Kate’s drawings through the use of 19th-century lithography and watercolour techniques.

Jane Giblin, a modern-day descendant of the extended Mitchell family, responds with these techniques, illuminating details, which share Dear Kate’s wonderful artistic vision. Her work breathes new life into these drawings, revealing the captivating stories and timeless spirit of the Mitchell women.