Today marks the opening of Crafted: Waitaki Artisan Gallery, in Harbour St, Oamaru, the idea born from the 10 artists who belong to the Waitaki Artisan Collective.
The gallery serves as a stage for artists wanting to have a greater presence.
One of the collective's founding members, Sue McLean, said the aim was for the group to become an incorporated society so it could grow in strength and if someone left the collective, no matter how strong they were, the group could survive.
Sr Mary Horn was excited about the opening of the gallery and what the collective achieved by creating the space.
''It's like a dream come true for me because I will be moving out of the scene [eventually].''
The 79-year-old wanted North Otago artists to have a space to call their own to put up ''quality'' work.
Mrs McLean said the project started about May and was helped by the Dominican Sisters of Aotearoa New Zealand who covered rent for the gallery for its first three months of existence.
''I'm elated. We made it happen. It's been a dream for such a long time.''
Duntroon artist Burns Pollock, the gallery's first guest artist, said the space was necessary for the area and helped create a healthy balance for the local art scene.
''It adds another dimension to the town. It showcases what our art is all about.''
Sr Mary said the collective wanted to attract local Maori and Pasifika artists to join the space and art movement in Oamaru's Victorian Precinct.
