The brainchild of historian and art enthusiast David Martin, the exhibition is being hosted at the Glasshouse in 2021.

The self-funded exhibition is titled Port Macquarie 200.

Original works from Sir Lionel Lindsay and the renowned Eirene Mort will help comprise the 40-piece exhibition, Mr Martin said.

"As a local historian, I pursue my historical interests in whichever way they go and in this case it is an art direction.

"I am making the most of the bicentenary year and want to ensure people enjoy an exhibition in 2021 that covers the 200 years of European settlement.

"This exhibition is a nod to the early years of Port Macquarie and moving through the decades.

"I wanted to present this exhibition to maximise the interest that will be created around the acknowledgement of this European bicentenary."

Read more:

Mr Martin said one of the particularly interesting aspects of the exhibition would be a series of works by Sir Lionel Lindsay.

"They have basically never been seen to this point," he said.

"I travelled to Sydney to look at the originals and thought that people should get to see them.

"These paintings will form the centrepiece of the exhibition."

Mr Martin said the art pieces had been borrowed from private collections, some were from his own collection while there would be a number of original pieces.

Any of the works he was trying to reproduce from canvas would be replicated to recreate the original artwork, he said.

While the Lindsay name is synonymous with art in Australia, Eirene Mort was also significant in her involvement in the art world.

"The Lindsay works are exciting but it will also be wonderful to include a few art works by Eirene Mort, who is not that well known," Mr Martin said.

Glasshouse curator Bridget Purtill said Mr Martin's planned exhibition was a "real love job".

"It was wonderful to receive his proposal for the exhibition," she said.

"There has been, over a period of time, points of celebration from John Oxley to the current.

"These exhibitions have given a different point of view of a particular time period from the Birpai and colonial perspective.

"Unfortunately, Port Macquarie does not have much in the way of remaining heritage buildings. Hopefully this exhibitions helps cover that period of time."

Port Macquarie 200 is at the Glasshouse mezzanine floor from February 27, 2021 to April 18, 2021.

Thank you for valuing local journalism with your subscription. While you're with us, you can also receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.