THE JOHN GLOVER SOCIETY

The John Glover Society Inc, based in Evandale, Tasmania was established to spotlight the innovative work of the legendary painter John Glover [1767-1849]. Glover lived and worked 20 kilometres from Evandale.

The Society promotes cultural projects to keep the memory of Glover alive. A true to life-size statue of Glover was commissioned by the Society and was unveiled by the Governor of Tasmania, the Honorable Sir Guy Green on Tuesday 18 February 2003, the anniversary of John Glover's birthday and coincidently the date he arrived in Tasmania in 1831.

The bronze statue by Peter Corlett is located at the historic Falls Park, on the corner of Huxtables Lane and Logan Road, in Evandale. For the Glover Prize the Falls Park heritage pavilion is turned into a magnificent exhibition space where rustic, historic architecture meets contemporary art.

The Society launched the acquisitive Glover Prize for a landscape painting of Tasmania in 2004, it has become the richest annual award for landscape painting in Australia. The winner receives $30,000 plus a maquette, bronze sculpture of John Glover by Peter Corlett. The $3000 Greg Waddle People's Choice Award is the public’s voted favourite work.

Joining The John Glover Society has benefits. Members have priority to buy tickets to the sell-out opening of the Glover Prize exhibition and unlimited entry to the show. The annual subscription is $15, additional family memberships are $10 each. All funds go to the Society to enable further initiatives to be implemented.

Media Event. The launch of the Glover Prize logo in 2007 received extensive print and electronic media coverage. From left: James Abbott, John Glover Society treasurer; Brendan Blomeley, Federal Group corporate affairs manager and Rose Falkiner, chair of the John Glover Society.

The main man. The John Glover statue is a major drawcard in Evandale, it stands tall next to the grounds of the Falls Park pavilion where the Glover Prize is held.

Ready to go . With the opening just hours away, the historic market hall is transformed into the Glover Prize gallery space which many thousands of art lovers will visit. Over the week-end it will also be the cocktail party venue and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra concert hall.

Go back in time with

John Glover’s son.... buy the book

The John Richardson Glover Sketchbook of Evandale gives a fascinating overview of the buildings in the Evandale village in Glover’s time. The artist, John Richardson Glover (1790-1868),was Glover’s oldest son and is often referred to as John Glover Junior. The book has a then and now layout to emphasise how some buildings have changed, others have stayed the same and yet others have vanished.

This delightful memento, a historic treat, is available from:
P.O. Box 129 Evandale, 7212
Cheques for $30 for each book required should be made payable to the publisher, The John Glover Society Inc.

 

View from Pioneer Park. The small building on the left of the sketch was the Anglican Chapel dedicated to St Andrew and was officially opened 18 February, 1837. The building served as a schoolroom on week-days. The roof and chimney stacks in the centre of the sketch is the rectory referred to by Glover as the ‘Menage’.

16 High Street. Believed to have been built circa 1832, this handsome colonial regency style inn was know as The Patriot King William IV Hotel, the name was later changed to Blenheim. The central two storey brick pile is flanked by service wings that enclose a rear courtyard.

Corner High Street and Russell Street. The two buildings between the old saddlery store and the Prince of Wales hotel have been demolished and replaced by a single storey addition to the hotel. The colonial Georgian hotel was built circa 1836 and is a two storey painted brick corner building with hipped roof, splayed corner, and double hung windows.