It’s the brainchild of welfare group Strategic Community Assistance to Refugee Families (SCARF), whom after 10 years are still without ongoing government funding.

Friday is opening night with a variety of works on show and up for sale including Archibald Prize short-listed Paul Ryan, Auguste Blackman and Sallie Moffatt.

SCARF co-founder Sharryn MacKenzie said the event has had a lasting effect on the lives of more than 1000 resettled refugees over the years via programs helping them settle in.

Wombarra artist Vyvian Wilson regularly donated works because she’s passionate about the cause so said it was the least she could do.

“We in Australia are incredibly privileged,” she said. “In a way we’re not just donating work but our time, because all of us spend days if not weeks on our artwork.”

Former judge Kieran Tapsell has been creating ceramics for 40 years, and has devoted much time in the past five to creating pieces for the show.

This year he made several Syrian styled ‘Hittite’ ceramic jugs, painted by refugees as he said “multiculturalism really is a joint effort”.

“It’s not just them having to adjust to us, but us … adopting a lot of the good things about their culture that has befitted Australia.”