The artists who have helped the Market Street gallery reach its milestone, making it the oldest community-run gallery in Australia, will flock to the coloured carpet for Friday night's official celebrations.

The gallery is ringing in its birthday with an arts party, complete with harp music, champagne and a caricaturist, and an exhibition, paying tribute to its history.

The gallery's president and artistic director, Kylie Sweeney de Havilland, said turning 30 was a coup for any group, particularly one that faced dwindling membership several years ago.

"Just before I came on board, the gallery had had a real downturn in numbers," she said.

"In my view, it needed a new business model.

"It is such a beautiful space, I knew it had potential so we brought in a small group of people to give it a fresh face. Now we've got a full book of exhibitors and about 180 members."

Current members, along with dozens of faces from the past, have been selected to show in the gallery's 30 Years, 30 Artists exhibition.

Sweeney de Havilland said the gallery had produced some nationally renowned artists, including feature artist and OAM Elisabeth Cummings.

"She was an artist in the Illawarra throughout the early '80s and '90s," she said.

"Since then, she's become one of Australia's leading female artists so it's really exciting to have her work in the exhibition. We felt it was important that her influence be acknowledged."

Several artists will be made life members at the opening, which is on from 6pm on Friday night.

Tickets are $25 and are available from the gallery or the Try Booking website.