THE artistic force within our region is being highlighted in an exhibition that opens tonight.

Created by Allora artist Dorothy Haig, the exhibition titled RADF, Southern Downs Retrospective draws on 40 cultural events and projects to celebrate 20 years of RADF.

Mrs Haig has spent the past month researching what projects people have applied for across the region, and said she thoroughly enjoyed it.

"I could have spent weeks reading about the different things," she said.

"After I picked the range of projects, I had to contact the individuals and talk to them and then see if I could get a photo of them."

There are 10 portraits of the people behind the projects, all very well known in their communities.

Mrs Haig said she made sure she got a variety of people and projects from Wallangarra and Stanthorpe, to Leyburn, Allora, Warwick and Killarney.

"This is Brian O'Grady," she explained, pointing to a photo of a veteran Allora man.

"He wrote the book Salute the Fallen, which includes all the people in our district who have lost their lives in the three major wars. He applied for and got RADF to help publish the book."

Other RADF-funded projects Mrs Haig has highlighted in her exhibition are the framing of tapestries from old Warwick families at Pringle Cottage and the publishing of Echoes of Italian Voices by Stanthorpe author Franco Arcidiacono.

RADF grants are jointly provided by the State Government and Southern Downs Regional Council.

Mrs Haig said she hoped the exhibition made people realise the RADF grants were available to be applied for.

The exhibition will open tonight at the Town Hall from 5.30pm and will be on display each day until Sunday, December 11.