The exhibition is the first time many of the works held in the Council art collection are on public display.

The collection includes numerous pieces by local artists acquired through the Council-sponsored art prize as well as artworks acquired by or gifted to Council.

Since 1975 a number of local artists have featured prominently in the annual art prize including Philip Greinke, who will have three of his works in the exhibition.

Three works by local artists David Hatton are also on display. Council general manager Gary Chapman said most of the exhibition had been on display in council offices, chambers and public foyer.

“We have collected those artworks and after this exhibition the intention is to now put the bulk of the works on display in the new library,” Mr Chapman said.

The collection includes a number of gifts to the city from Queanbeyan’s Sister City of Minami Alps in Japan, including a very delicate and intricate Kiriko paper carving, which traditionally can take three to six months to complete.

Other gifts to the City include a mixed media work by Elizabeth Lada from the Queanbeyan and District Law Society.

Lada’s work includes an inscription of gratitude for the contribution to Queanbeyan made by its migrant citizens.

Queanbeyan councillor Ann Rocca said she was happy to see the collection on display to the public. Cr Rocca moved a motion for the works to be displayed during a council meeting in 2002.

“Council owns a large collection of paintings, many by local artists, which are rarely seen by members of the public as they hang in council offices or are in storage,” she said.

“It might have taken nearly 10 years, but at last we can all see the paintings that the city owns.”

The art collection covers a wide variety of styles and themes, with Australian landscapes featured prominently, and a number of more abstract works.

The work comprised textiles, coins, buttons, paper and ink in representations of four family crests, each with a descriptive panel of calligraphy.