He Waka Tuia is returning to its roots with its latest exhibition LOCAL: By|For|Of.

Staff have carefully chosen 84 works from the Invercargill Public Art Gallery (IPAG) artworks to go on display before the collection goes to the Tisbury storage facility that is currently being built as part of Project 1225, the museum rebuild project.

He Waka Tuia and Invercargill Public Art Gallery manager Sarah Brown said the new exhibition was a celebration of the IPAG collection.

The collection has been stored in the library since it was moved from its original home in Anderson House while strengthening work took place.

“We wanted to celebrate the talented people who have come from Southland with this show, hence the name. All the art is by Southlanders, for Southlanders, of Southland.

“It’s a good reminder that this collection is still here and we know how much it is appreciated by our community. It’s an opportunity for people to reacquaint themselves with the collection.”

There will be a selection of paint, mixed media, and sculptures on display.

“Visitors may recognise some local names, famous portraits, and familiar scenes lining the walls in this exhibition. These portraits pay homage to the people who have contributed so much to our cultural tapestry, ensuring their legacies endure for generations to come.”

This will be the last chance to view the IPAG collection for a while before it is carefully packed and moved to the Tisbury storage facility.

Alongside the exhibition will be several events, including floor talks and children’s activities. More information can be found on the He Waka Tuia Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/hewakatuia.

LOCAL: By|For|Of runs from 27 October until 10 December at He Waka Tuia on the corner of Don and Kelvin streets.