The show features artworks from East Otago-based artists Christopher Willmott, Jackie Matheson, Jeff Matheson, Jenny Longstaff, John Scott, Kate Middleton, Moira Crossman, Nic Dempster, Rachel Pile, Sue Lean, Terry Low and Zenobia Southcombe.
The centre is East Otago’s leading regional museum with a collection of over 19,000 historical items. It also hosts an information centre, offers a genealogy research service and has a gallery gift shop.
Waikouaiti Coast Heritage Centre (WCHC) co-ordinator and treasurer Shirley McKewen said it was "exciting" to see the exhibition come to life.
"It’s amazing. Jenny has done a great job putting it on the walls... we've got such talented artists in this district and we have a very significant history here which the show speaks to," she said.
Jenny Longstaff, a life member of the Otago Art Society and a dedicated volunteer at the centre, helped to hang the artworks.
She said it was "exciting to see it on the wall but also to see it within the context of what other artists do".
"There are 58 works in total, painting, photography and two sculpture pieces. Some have interpreted the theme literally and others more loosely. The exhibition shows a wide variety of medium and subject matters."
The exhibition runs until the end of the month and also features artist talks and workshops.
Lean said celebrating the past was "essential for identity, for fostering continuity and community, and for gaining perspective in the present".
"Connection with our roots and a sense of belonging builds resilience, it connects us with our heritage and helps to establish a common ground," she said.
As a volunteer at the museum, Lean said she was "aware of the struggles in keeping our history and heritage alive for future generations, when funding is scarce".
"However it’s important that we keep building and improving this little gem of a museum, bringing history to life, and thereby shining a light on the present and the future."
Christopher Willmott, who was introduced to the other exhibiting artists through the group show, said the centre was "a real asset for Waikouaiti proudly showing the town's heritage".
"The show is a credit to them. It’s a place for all the local artists and crafts people to showcase their work," he said.
Willmott hoped there would be more group shows in the future.
WCHC committee chairman Ian Waters said the exhibition was a collaborative effort and highlighted the community spirit on which the centre was built.
"Shirley wanted to hold an art show, and it was Zenobia’s inspiration and Jenny’s management and organisation."
"And Shirley got everyone together," Southcombe said.
The centre has had many exhibitions over its five-year span including the Plunket Society and military displays.
"Shirley has done a great job" to keep the centre going with limited grants from the Dunedin City Council heritage team and local fundraising such as the Labour Day plant sale, Mr Waters said.
"Different things attracts different people which is what we aim to do with our offerings here," Mrs McKewen said.
Mr Waters said while "heritage" was at the core of what they do, "changing and evolving" was also necessary.
Mrs McKewen acknowledged the "amazing" 20 volunteers at the centre and said they hoped to recruit more.
"We couldn't do it without them," she said.
Next month the centre will host a Matariki art exhibition featuring the artwork of East Otago school pupils.
