The exhibition launched last Sunday afternoon with over 70 breath-taking abstract works entered across a range of mediums.

Best in show went to artist Adrienne Conway for her dream-like rendering titled 'Flight of Fancy.'

Art Society president Barry Cranston praised the quality and colour on show in the new exhibition.

"The brightness, the colour, the vibrance of this exhibition speaks for itself," Mr Cranston said.

"We're delighted that The Queanbeyan Age has been a sponsor of this exhibition for so long. It's great that we can put this exhibition on every year."

The Queanbeyan Art Society now has over 300 members, with members travelling from as far away as the Riverina, the South Coast, and the Goulburn district for Society events.

"And around 40 per cent of our members coming here from Canberra. So we must be doing something right," Mr Cranston laughed.

n The Queanbeyan Age abstract exhibition will hang at the Art Society Gallery (Trinculo Place, Queanbeyan) until the end of March.

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Although Julian has had previous experience managing cafes, the beauty of being the owner is being able shape your business the way you like it. The pair is happy with the current cafe set up, but they're slowly introducing other elements, including live music and art works.

"I want to focus on coffee and light meals rather than something fancy like fine dining. I want something I can run during the day, six days a week," Julian said.

"Our aim is to create a friendly, family environment somewhere you can bring the dog along on the weekend. I'd like to do gallery shows or something eventually ... we're playing it by ear at the moment."

Alison, 20, said the house lent itself to being a cosy and homely spot.

"We want to create a space where customers feel welcome," she said. "When they sit inside and we have the fireplace lit in winter we want it to feel like their own house."

The Mill House Courtyard Cafe is located at 57 Collett Street. It is open for breakfast and lunch six days and closed on Tuesday.