She described the works on show as "challenging and beautiful" and said stories told through art were not always easy.
"Through this we are trying to tell the stories only arts and culture can tell ... reflecting your creative lens on the development of the journey of our township, district and council," Mrs Chadwick said.
It is envisaged there will be three exhibitions a year in the galleria where the walls have been painted white and furniture removed to give prominence to the artworks.
Artists exhibiting in the Whakapapa show are Kereama Taepa (screen prints); Christina Hurihia Wirihana (weaving); Jane Johnson-Matua (ceramic works); Tawhanga Mary-Legs Nopera (digital storytelling); Michael Staite (paintings - including a series of work objecting to the proposed eastern arterial route).
Most of the exhibition will be on show until next April. Works by Wirihana and Taepa will be taken down before Christmas and replaced by other artwork.
Members of the public will be able to view the exhibition during council opening hours of 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Some of the artwork will be for sale and people can pick up a price list from the executive reception area and pay at the customer services desk downstairs.
Rotorua artists interested in exhibiting in the council galleria are encouraged to add their name to Council's Creative Communities database which they can do via the "creative email sign-up" on the council's Facebook page.