Izabella Venter was always reminded she had two hands, "one to help yourself and one to help others".
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The entrepreneur has used these words from a former mentor to guide her through life and business, landing her in Kiama with a new gallery and workshop space.
Originally wanting to promote her sister Karolina's paintings, a series of "very coincidental and fortunate events" led her to opening the Terra Art Gallery, which got off to a popping start.
The night before opening, the sisters were preparing to hang Karolina's works on the walls when the heavily pregnant artist knew she would not be making it to the red carpet opening.
"We managed to still hang her paintings because the framer, Shane, came around, and he was like 'oh my God, Karolina is having her baby, do you need help'," Izabella said.
"He helped me hang them all, all 20-something of them."
On opening day Izabella was heading to the hospital to see how her sister and her potential new niece were doing, when she received a phone call about one of her sister's works.
It resulted in the first sale for the new venture, a day after hanging the works.
"I decided this is it ... this is the life," Izabella said, as this firmed her decision to base herself in Kiama rather than Sydney.
"It's such a dream coming true ... because I always try to create value with my businesses and create something that benefits our environment and our community just as much as it benefits us."
The Terra not only showcases the work of the Hungarian ex-pat, but dozens of works from creatives around the region with the commission being variable so artists always get the price they want.
The Venter sisters will also be offering art workshops for young and old - with added wine and music for the adults, added fun for kids.
"We've always been in art classes since we were four years old," Izabella said.
"It's not only about art but it's about executing an idea, the problem solving ... and being resourceful, learning new stuff, hand-eye co-ordination.
"We had such a supportive mum, she was supporting all our ambitions but she didn't care if we [were going to] make a living from it or not, but wanted us to find what we liked doing."
The sisters immigrated with their family from Hungary about 12 years ago, Karolina eventually settling in Kiama while her business-minded sister ended up living in New Zealand for a while.
After setting up a successful escape-room activity centre for adults in Wellington, Izabella returned to NSW last year to be closer to family and because "it's always cold in Wellington".
When the COVID-19 pandemic brought a lot of "free time" she decided to focus her efforts on helping her pregnant sister, until stumbling upon the gallery space.
Terra Art Gallery in Kiama is open from 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday. www.terraartgallery.com
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