Tamworth's Weswal Gallery turns 40 marking four decades of showcasing quality Australian made art and products

Originally opened on December 12, 1981 by ceramicist Fran West and Marcia Schofield, Tamworth's Weswal Gallery was founded on the ideal of showcasing the best in Australian art.

Four decades on, and it's staying true to its roots, with its future looking bright.

New director Kate Hoffman said 40 years is an outstanding achievement for any gallery, let alone a commercial gallery in a regional area.

"When I think about the thousands of artists and artisans, even tradespeople, that the gallery has been able to support and nurture over those years, it's just mind-blowing really," she said.

"The gallery showcases the best in Australian artists and products handcrafted by artisans, and that's what's helped to create the longevity of the business and that's what I want to focus on moving forward."

Past owner and manager Ruth Blakely, who helped establish Weswal in Tamworth, reminisced about the early years of travelling around the state to source art to exhibit.

"We had a huge first opening exhibition of paintings, pots, jewellery, woodwork and glass and just about anything you could think of," she said.

"It was hugely successful because there was no commercial gallery in this area."

She said the gallery was always "a lovely place to come", showcasing the work of some very successful potters, painters, glassblowers, jewellers and weavers.

But when she speaks about its future, she's equally as excited.

"I just love the fact that [past director] Sandra McMahon got it back to a gallery and now it's opening with a chocolatier - it's lovely," she said.

Weswal Gallery caretaker Anne Evans, the youngest niece of Fran West, has been involved with the gallery from a young age, and is excited for what the future holds.

She said the new director and the new chocolate cafe setting up shop next door marks an exciting step in the gallery's journey.

"It's a new generation here, which I think will open it up to a younger audience," she said.

"It's gone through a few different hands, and I can see the energy being brought back into the place.

"I'm excited too with Kate because a lot of the exhibitions she's had are really vibrant.

"Fran was the founder and the driving force behind all of this, and this is what she would want."

The gallery celebrated the milestone with champagne, strawberries, coffee and chocolate ahead of the cafe's official opening on Wednesday.

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