Launceston, Tas

Art and life to return to Launceston's historic laneways

They have been ignored for decades, but Launceston’s historic laneways are about to be revived as vibrant urban and cultural spaces, thanks to a new project that’s underway called Launceston’s Living Laneways.

The revival is part of a program of activities leading up to the next Regional Arts Australia conference, which will see many hundreds of artists and arts workers flocking to the historic Tasmanian city in August 2010.

A scoping survey of the lanes has been made possible via $5,000 in seed funding from Tasmanian Regional Arts and is being carried out by two young Launceston artists Philippa Steele and Fred Showell who have formed their own art and design company, Backstory.

Dicky White’s Lane, Genders Lane and Tattler Parade are three of nine lanes that are being targeted for face-lifts and Tasmanian Regional Arts project officer, Angela Driver, says those supporting the project are looking across Bass Strait to the Victorian capital for ideas.

‘Melbourne has done the whole laneway thing so well,” says Driver.

‘And they found there that once the lanes were restored with art and some clever urban planning, the cafes and shops moved in and made the lanes really welcoming city spaces.”

“The plan in Launceston is not only to place public art in the lanes, but also to stage in them performances and community events, giving life to what are now often dead and dirty spaces,” Driver says.

Light boxes with changing interior displays, sculptures, interpretational panels, wall paintings and FM radio and blue-tooth facilities which can send stories and art to people’s mobile phones are just some of the ideas being considered.

Other works, all to be commissioned from local artists, will employ historical themes to tie in with existing heritage trails that run throughout the city.

Backstory’s Fred Showell says the scoping work has been done in cooperation with the Tasmania Police, the Launceston City Council, the local chamber of commerce and the National Trust.

“We hope that the scoping study will demonstrate the potential of our historic laneways, and we will then be looking to secure funds so we can get to work.

“These lanes are a rich resource that could add so much to the city life of Launceston,” Showell says.

 

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Dicky White - a piece of Launceston laneway history

The curiously named Dicky White Lane is named after convict, Dicky White, who was transported from the UK to Australia for life in 1799.  Born in the United States, White was the son of a white father and Jamaican mother.  He was pardoned in 1814 and moved to Launceston where he built the Launceston Hotel in 1822, was a keen gambler and a sharp dresser.  He would often be seen in Wellington Boots, white buckskin breeches, frock coat, top hat, wearing eyeglasses and carrying a walking stick.  The original Johnny Walker was said to have been based on his likeness.