Art on Tyne opened on November 16, marking the end of owner Philina den Dulk's two-year search and dream for the perfect space to display her work, and that of other New Zealand artists, in Oamaru.
The small space at 8 Tyne St had been used by the Easy Made Marmalade Company as an office and had not been advertised as available.
But Mrs den Dulk was attracted by the frontage of the building, especially the shape of the windows, and made some inquiries.
Originally from Invercargill, Mrs den Dulk has lived and worked in many places around the lower South Island, including Kaka Point, Balclutha and Dunedin.
She moved to Oamaru with her husband Russell, and four children, two years ago.
''Oamaru feels like home,'' she said.
Art is a labour of love for Mrs den Dulk, who said she saw Art on Tyne as a way of showcasing the work of New Zealand artists without ''huge overheads'' - making art accessible and affordable.
Mrs den Dulk has been painting for only 10 years.
In 2004, she picked up a paintbrush again for the first time since high school, as a way to stay at home with her four children and still work.
''It was just a hobby and it took off from there,'' she said.
She has exhibited her work around the country and opened a gallery, 36Red, in Dunedin, but Art on Tyne was different from anything she had done before.
It showcases much of her own work, as well as that of fellow Oamaru artist Ryan Moore and New Zealand artists such as Brad Novak, Fleur Woods, Soraya Bradley and Hope Gibbons.
Mrs den Dulk said for now she was looking forward to doing her ''thing'' - showcasing different, cool and funky art and gifts in Oamaru - and ''doing it well''.
She hopes to see Art on Tyne grow and develop and include more local art.
She loves her spot in the heart of Oamaru's Victorian precinct, in a building bursting with history.
Her gallery takes up just a room of the Historic Places category 2 building in Tyne St, the rest of which is occupied by the Easy Made Marmalade Company.
The building was among the first commercial premises built in the street and represents the early stirrings of Oamaru's commercial heart in the 1860s.
The building has been occupied at various times by the Bank of Otago, the building's architect Thomas Glass,
Robert Lang Livingston, a bookseller and stationer, and wine and general merchant James Finch and Co.
It has also been home to various motor garages, the North Otago Cool Store and Oamaru Ice Cream Company.
