"Paint The Town Red" is a collaboration between two artists and teachers, John and Leigh Dobson. They are Launceston locals and established their unique art school in 2019.
Their mission is to provide a welcoming space where art is accessible to everyone regardless of skill or background. They break down the barriers to creativity by cultivating vibrant, inclusive opportunities for every individual to explore and experience the joy of making art.
aBOUT US
Meet the Team
Leigh
Leigh is the co-founder of PTTR and was a teacher for over 20 years. She loves painting and teaching others how to enjoy creating their own masterpieces. Leigh's goal, with each painting, is to instil a sense of joy and portray the beauty of the world. She work fast and enjoy being immersed in the process to create evocative landscapes and stylised still life. Referencing photos and sketches Leigh uses marking making and unconventional colour combinations to explore her own emotional response to the scene. She enjoys creating an intriguing image that draws you in and has harmonious colours
John
John is our expert with everything pottery and the co-founder of PTTR. He has many years art teaching experience and an undergraduate degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast specialising in photography and graphic design. He has a friendly, easy going manner and has a wonderful way of explaining pottery techniques that gives you instant success. John's pottery work takes inspiration from the Australian landscape, particularly our wild and ancient places. He creates uncomplicated forms for everyday use, letting the natural beauty of the clay shine through. John sees his work as an ongoing dialogue with the natural world. By replicating geological processes of water, pressure and heat, John guides the forms and textures of the work, but also allow space for the unpredictable to happen, just as it does in nature.
Mikaela
Mikaela joined the team in 2026 as our amazing TA for the term long Children's art classes. She is also a very talent artist and we are so excited to have her expertise and approachable and friendly manner at PTTR. Mikaela's art practice focuses on detailed architectural illustration, using fine liner and watercolour to document buildings and architecture. She is drawn to both historic and contemporary structures, capturing their character through precise line work and subtle tonal washes. Working primarily from her own photographs and close observation, she approachs each building as both a technical study and a portrait of place. With a background in architecture and design, Mikaela is interested in how buildings shape identity and memory within a community. Her current body of work documents residences and significant structures throughout Launceston, forming part of an evolving visual archive of the region’s built environment.
Callum
Callum joined the team in 2020 and can do anything we ask at Paint the Town Red. He loves being creative and has made many fabulous pieces over the years including some wonderful clay creations.
Isaac
Isaac joined the team in 2025 and is a coffee lover. His passion with the arts includes being a musician and a wonderful keyboardist, along with performing in the LYTE drama ensemble and is currently studying Photography 3 in year 12.
We are Proud of these partnerships
RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
Each year (since 2020) we have been a part of the RYLA camp. We love seeing these future leaders shine and creating a masterpiece.
Able Australia
During 2023 - 2025 we have been creating art programs for the lovely clients at Able. We have enjoyed a wide range of art experiences together.
Wellways Launceston and Minds do Matter
We have collaborated with Wellways participants, since 2024, to provide workshops and materials for them to create their own unique art piece. These have been displayed in the Minds do Matter exhibition at the QVMAG.
Children's University UTAS
Being part of the UTAS Children's University offerings is so much fun. We love collaborating to inspire children and young people to foster their confidence and curiosity through art activities.
Anglicare Georgetown
In 2025 we teamed up with Anglicare to deliver clay little penguins workshops for Port Dalrymple School for the Children's voices Wish of an Art and Sport Day.
Beaconsfield Neighbourhood House
Since 2022 we have worked with the team at Beaconsfield Neighbourhood House to deliver art sessions at Beaconsfield. Always lots of fun and always lots of masterpieces.
Dada Muse Museum
We love being part of the Launceston community and so teaming up with the Dada Muse Museum was a joy. We enjoyed a visit to the museum and soaked up the work of Salvador Dali and then create our own inspired piece.
Care Super Business Excellence Awards
We have proudly been finalists in these awards across 3 different categories in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025.