It'll be an evening of hellos and goodbyes during a special event taking place at the Tauranga Art Gallery today.

Night Owl Cinema is inviting the community down to the gallery to farewell local artist Owen Dippie and his wife Erin before their departure to Auckland later this year.

This Friday the Tauranga Art Gallery will play host to a special event to farewell local artist Owen Dippie and his wife Erin, plus kick off Night Owl Cinema's Winter Movie Season. Photo: Luke Balvert

Along with giving the Dippies a warm sending off, Friday evening will see the start of Night Owl Cinema's Winter Movie Series.

The free event will begin with a presentation of Owen's artwork and a print sale, followed by a screening of The Radiant Child - a documentary on New York City artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Speaking to SunLive earlier this year Erin Dippie said the pair would be venturing off to America towards the end of May for a big painting trip that will last for close to three months.

It will be Owen's fifth trip to the States and the talented artist has several jobs lined up, mainly in Los Angeles and New York.

Upon their return from overseas the couple would then look to relocate to Auckland.

'Our families are still down here so we'll keep coming down,” says Erin. 'But if anyone comes up with more jobs I'm sure Owen would love to keep painting down here.”

The Tauranga Art Gallery is expecting a full house for the event and everyone is welcome, but seating will be limited.

The Gallery can fit up to 300 people in total, with no more than 100 seated, so if you don't want to miss out then make sure you head along early.

Celebrating OD with Night Owl Cinema takes place at the Tauranga Art Gallery this Friday, starting 6pm. Screening of The Radiant Child at 7:30pm. Entry is free and a cash bar will be available.

Tauranga Art Gallery. Photo: File