The Albany Historical Society Art Exhibition opened in January at the Albany Convict Gaol, offering visitors a rare opportunity to view artworks drawn from the Society’s archives.
The exhibition showcases more than 60 original works, many of which have never before been displayed publicly.
The collection spans watercolours, sketches, illustrations, photographs, postcards and early settler depictions, providing a visual record of nearly 200 years of artistic expression in Albany and the Great Southern region.
Opened on 21 January 2026 to coincide with the 199th anniversary of the formal establishment of Albany as Western Australia’s first European settlement, marked by the raising of the British flag at King George Sound in 1827.
In preparation for the exhibition, the Albany Historical Society undertook restoration works on several significant pieces by renowned local artists Brenda Holland and John Barker, ensuring these works could be preserved and shared with the community.
Also on display at the Albany Convict Gaol is an enlarged reproduction of Panoramic View of King George’s Sound, created by Ensign (later Lieutenant) Robert Dale during his time at King George Sound in 1832.
While visiting the exhibition, visitors can also explore the Gaol’s multi-layered history through detailed displays and immersive experiences that trace its transformation over time. These experiences provide insight into the lives of convicts, prisoners and warders, as well as the broader social history surrounding the site.
