A space to splash colour and make a glorious mess, a place to invite others into a world of art and culture, and a place to share that art and culture with everyone.

The former assistant principal of Figtree Heights Public School has turned her attention to painting in retirement, but became sick of travelling and renting other people's spaces to exhibit her work.

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"I just kept thinking 'I wish I could have my own' ... and be my own boss and run the place myself," the retired primary teacher said.

Her perfect space emerged on Windang Road in Windang just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, but friends quickly talked her out of signing the lease.

They said she'd be silly to start a business amidst a world of chaos.

But as the cogs of society slowly started turning again, it was fate the space was still empty and ready for Ms Goodwin to move right in.

The painter was not selfish and only concerned of her own artistic welfare, but also for others - and invited many to share the walls and floor space of Art In The Dang.

"I also wanted to give emerging artists a chance to exhibit where they might not be game enough to go into a big public gallery," she said.

Ms Goodwin's paintings hang upon two walls, another taken up with guest artists who rotate weekly (already booked out until December).

Eclectic goodies like jewellery, woodwork, ceramics, soy candles, digital prints and sculptures are also out for the world to see - and buy.

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It's finally a dream come true for the artist, and self confessed modern painter who loves to make a mess.

She can splash colour around the studio at the back - as well as teaching others the same - and sell her wares and promote other local artisans out the front.

"I'm the resident artist and curator of my own gallery now which is exciting," she said proudly.

"But my aim is to bring culture to the 'Dang."

The collective is one of many around the Illawarra where groups of local artists and artisans can be found in one place.

Others around the region to visit include The Collective Beat on Fern Street in Gerringong, The Collective Kiama on Terralong Street, Chatterbox Market inside Wollongong Central and the Thirroul Collective on Lawrence Hargrave Drive.

Art in the Dang is open every day of the week except Monday, from 10am until 4pm, at 282 Windang Road in Windang.

Inquiries regarding the guest artist wall can be made through the Art In The Dang public Facebook group.

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