Exhibition designers, creators and curators took on a slightly different role yesterday as the final countdown began for the grand opening today of the MTG (Museum Theatre Gallery) by Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott and Minister of Arts and Culture Chris Finlayson.
They were spotted applying the final cleaning and polishing touches to the exhibit cases - ensuring the mounted artworks were aligned and straight, and looking the very best they could for the most critical appreciation of all - the public.
"There have been some long hours put in," MTG marketing team leader Pam Joyce.
"It's gone well."
For the staff, today is the culmination of three years' preparation - from the design and building of the $18 million redevelopment through to the cautious and exact assembling, collating, labelling and storing of every last one of thousands of items.