"There were a lot of visits to The Green Shed," Kathryn Spurling said, with a laugh.

That's just the start of the recycling at The Artists Shed, a new gallery opening in Fyshwick this weekend.

It's the result of a collaboration between artist Margaret Hadfield and historian Kathryn Spurling and their "mutual love of art, history and the underdog".

It's part art school, part art supplies shop, part gallery - and being billed as "the largest privately-run art space in Canberra".

The new space is in Wollongong Street, underneath a heating and cooling store, but is a world away from the workday hubbub of Fyshwick.

Ms Hadfield has her work there, from portraits of Lauren Jackson and Natasha Stott Despoja to a 10-metre long mural showing the darker side farming life which was commissioned for the Ballarat Biennale of Australian Art.

She and Dr Spurling are also focused on rescuing art that might be deemed unfashionable but with some love and attention, can be restored to back to its former glory.

They are about honouring "artistic heritage and the talents of Australian visionaries", rather than flogging another mass-produced print.

"It's about not going to the department store to buy a splash of colour to match the curtains," Dr Spurling said.

The pair have found and restored artwork from old farm sheds, auction houses and op shops, even dumpsters.

That's where the love of the underdog comes in.

They noticed quality paintings by very talented artists; depictions of Australian landscape, life, flora, fauna, and culture, being discarded as unfashionable.

"It felt the right thing to re-discover and recycle these works of art," they said.

Among their collection is works by Canberra artist Lindsay Cameron-Smith, Judy McConchie and Christine Golder. There are also indigenous artwork and artefacts. And they have plans to restore and sell furniture.

Jeanette Zvargulis and Dennis Mortimer are among the artists who have already rented space in the gallery.

"Galleries are closing down all over the place, and here I am, stupid enough to open one. But I still believe in quality art and allowing people to see it," Ms Hadfield said.

And the building has a good vibe. Owners Janine and Robert Terzi, former art students of Ms Hadfield, offered it to her.

"They fell in love in one of my art classes and later married. I can't guarantee that for everyone," Ms Hadfield said, with a laugh.