Titled Director’s Choice the current exhibition features selected works by artists who have all exhibited in the gallery during 2016.  

“It’s a chance for me to have extra fun being the director, and to choose the works that I liked for an exhibition,” Ms Wells said.

“It’s also a chance to say, ‘Thank you’ to artists for supporting the gallery … I would have liked to have all the artists back, but the space wouldn’t allow that.”

Many of the works on display are landscape, but there is abstract painting, ceramics, sculpture, drawing, collage, installation, prints and photography.

“There is a bit of everything really,” Ms Wells said. “It’s a bit of a celebration.”

Ms Wells said Newcastle had a large artistic community but it was still very “underrated.”

“People don’t realise how good the work is, both inside Newcastle and outside,” she said. 

“Slowly all the galleries are upping the standard as well by being a little bit selective and waiting until artists are actually ready to exhibit.”

She said the Lock-Up bringing “international and really cutting edge art” to Newcastle was good for the community.  

“It’s really great for Newcastle that people get to see it,” she said. 

The exhibition showcases the work of some of Newcastle’s “working artists”. It closes at noon on Christmas Eve. Prices of works begin at $80. 

Works on exhibit are by Ellie Hannon, Dino Consalvo, Julia Flanagan, Michelle Brodie, Helene Leane, Penny Dunstan, Caelli Jo Brooker, Susan Ryman, James Murphy, Paul Maher, Peter Lankas, Vanessa Lewis, Olivia Parsonage, Clare Weeks, Lydia Miller, Catherine Tempest, SODAMOLLY, Joanna O'Toole, John Earle, Peter Read, Giselle Penn and John Heaney.  

Gallery 139 will reopen on January 14 with an exhibition titled Three – representing the gallery’s third year. It will feature several artists exhibiting a suite of three works each. gallery139.com.au