The Crookwell District Art Gallery opened over the weekend for a special show of the gallery's permanent collection.
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The collection, which began in 1990, now has more than 50 enduring pieces.
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Patron of the gallery Margaret Shepherd opened the show.
"The gallery, with this permanent art collection, was created for the people of Crookwell, and the community has given so much to its creation," she said.
Ms Shepherd recalled the gallery's early days.
"The permanent collection started in the first exhibition held in the Showground Pavilion because of limited space in town in the year 1990.
"It was cold and draughty, difficult to hang, and could not be locked up, so our boys had a night in the cold to look after the paintings.
"With many donated by local businesses and support of the Shire Council, it was the start of the gallery's art collection.
Art has power to transport ... into another world and broaden a rural community.
- Betty Churcher
"To quote Betty Churcher: she believes art has power to transport the viewer into another world and broaden a rural community.
"The gallery has fostered and nurtured art in our community and we now have the most amazing wonderful art community."
More than 30 people attended the opening of the exhibition, Favourites from the Crookwell Collection, held on Friday night. The evening attracted visitors from Canberra, Boorowa and Goulburn.
The gallery is run by volunteers and holds four shows a year, for the remainder of the year the permanent collection is not on exhibition.
The permanent collection includes Ms Shepherd's series of paintings Changes on the Landscape.
The collection depicts the wars that Australians have fought in, and the Australian landscape, and was created in honour of Anzac Day.
- View the collection: crookwellartgallery.com