For the next three weeks, lovers of street art will have the chance to sample some of the best work in the Bay.
Owen Dippie, known locally for his large spray paint murals of people and objects such as Princess Di, Billy T James and the Rena, is hosting an exhibition at his gallery in Ashworth Lane.
Dippie said the exhibition was organised to give exposure to some of the Bay's lesser known street artists, as well show off work from some of his nationally and internationally renowned friends.
The artwork is an eclectic mix of styles, ranging from spray paint portraits to polystyrene super heroes and a mirror ball goat skull.
"It's a bit of an art show, showcasing some local artists ... just to show people that there's amazing talent down here [in Tauranga] that's usually frowned upon," he says.
"The main reason is to give a lot of young artists a space to exhibit their work."
He believes street art is often misunderstood and the exhibition gives people insight into talent that may otherwise go unnoticed or overlooked.
Kiwis are world leaders in the art form traditionally consigned to city walls and alleyways.
"New Zealand is great. It's so awesome that other countries respect our stuff, they like what Kiwis are doing," Dippie says.
He knows this first hand, having exhibited in New York last year as well as receiving numerous international commissions to redesign wall spaces overseas.
The OD Gallery has only been open since September last year but Dippie's presence in Ashworth Lane has already altered the look of the street.
In addition to the 5-metre Notorious B.I.G and Princess Di portraits adorning the walls of his warehouse gallery, other businesses in the lane have also signed up to his artwork revolution, offering up their walls to his spray cans.
Albert Einstein is almost finished on a wall facing the gallery and Bruce Lee, Bob Marley and Gandhi are all in the pipeline.
"For Ashworth, it's going to be the legends of time. Just people I admire. I'll do them all in black and white. I just want to turn it into a free gallery. That'll be the real gallery outside. It's art for art's sake. I don't get paid for it, it's just there to enjoy," Dippie says.
"The ultimate aim for this place is to create a gallery outside and then the gallery indoors. Eventually, every inch of this place will be painted."
Among the pieces on show in the indoor exhibition are works from Mr G, Elliot Mason, Paul Julian, Random Guy, Glen Smith, Rodney Mills, Ras and Phat1 as well as Dippie.
The exhibition at the OD Gallery on Ashworth Lane, behind Bodyline on Totara St, will run for about three more weeks.