Horsham Regional Art Gallery director Brenda Wellman said the exhibition was the first time the gallery had hosted a collection from the National Gallery of Australia.

"It is a fantastic collection and it is so great to have it here in Horsham," she said. "Art deco was such a diverse period and the works suit the building so well."

Ms Wellman said staff from the National Gallery in Canberra were in Horsham for a week to assist with the installation of the exhibition.

National Gallery of Australia assistant curator Lara Nicholls said there were more than 70 works on display. She said the exhibition would travel to five regional locations across Australia - but Horsham was the only place in Victoria to host the collection.

"It worked perfectly because this building is the first actual (art) deco building that we've shown the exhibition in," she said.

Read more: Wimmera performing arts flourishes through Richard Morris concert, scholarship

Horsham gallery curator Alison Eggleton said the exhibition was "perfect timing" - coinciding with 80 years since Horsham's gallery building opened.

"It's a celebration of that new aesthetic in art, architecture and design that Horsham was embracing in 1939, which is what this exhibition is all about - embracing those ideas of the future," she said.

Ms Eggleton said there would be an official opening on Friday from 6pm and she hoped people would dress in fashion from the 1920s for the occasion.

She said art valuer Simon Storey, who would host a valuation day at the gallery on Saturday, would speak at the opening.

The exhibition opens daily until February 2.

All weekend:

Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative's Wimmera River Challenge from 11.30am Friday until Saturday afternoon at Dimboola Holiday Park. Free to attend.

Ararat Dance Centre annual concert at Ararat Town Hall at 4pm Saturday and 1pm Sunday. Tickets from Ararat Dance Centre or at the door; cost is $18.

Saturday:

Dunkeld Cup at the Dunkeld Racing Club from 11am. Tickets from $22.

Valuation Day at Horsham Regional Art Gallery with art valuer Simon Storey.

RM Showcase - formerly called the Richard Morris Memorial Concert - from 7.30pm at the Horsham Town Hall. Tickets from $30 at the event.

Music bingo for pets fundraiser at Horsham Community Sports Pavillion from 7pm. Tickets $20. Contact 5381 1439.

Sunday:

The Patch's first birthday breakfast at The Salvation Army on Lynott Street from 8:30am, followed by Horsham Urban Landcare's monthly produce swap.

Donald Cup at Donald Racing Club from 11am. Tickets from $15.

Nhill Lions Christmas Community Market at Jaypex Park.

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