A new arts centre supporting local First Nations artists in north-east Arnhem Land is almost ready to throw its doors open.

The new multi-million-dollar culture and arts centre is designed with the tree lines on the shores of Lake Evella, on the edge of Gapuwiyak, and blends into nature in the small township 220km west of Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory.

The small Yolŋu town is in the middle of Miyarrka, a region around Arnhem Bay, and the Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts Centre joins other arts centres in Arnhem Land on an Aboriginal arts trail.

Aboriginal Elder in the Gapuwiyak community and master fibre artist, Lucy Malirrimurruwuy Wanapuyngu, helped establish the original art centre in the community in 2007.

She said she was excited for the opening of the new one in 2025.

"I'm proud, I tell you," she said.

The centre has seen construction from a small number of Army engineers from the 19th Chief Engineer Works based at Randwick Barracks in Sydney.

The work began in May last year, with project engineer Captain Joseph Chilvers making regular trips to the remote community to oversee the construction and delivery of the new facility.

"After spending five months in Gapuwiyak as a troop commander with 6th Engineer Support Regiment during the 2022 Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program, I wasn't expecting to return to the community, but I've enjoyed travelling in and out of the community as the works have progressed," Captain Chilvers said.

"Having the local knowledge and project management experience in the community has also been really helpful, particularly with addressing issues around logistics, sourcing materials in a remote location and engaging with community and local stakeholders."

Funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and with a financial contribution from the NT Government and support from Army, the new centre will build on the thriving current site, with its mixture of traditional and modern art from across the region.

Owned by Yolŋu members and with a Yolŋu Board, it supports more than a hundred artists from Gapuwiyak and surrounding homelands.

The new centre will have a public-facing museum and gallery, as well as a studio and workshop for local Indigenous artists to create art, as well as giving visitors the opportunity to learn from the artists themselves.

"They currently use the porch of the existing arts centre, but the community have really outgrown that facility," Captain Chilvers said.

In addition to a café, the fully air-conditioned arts centre will have office space and a large deck where the community can gather in front of the lake—a popular swimming spot for locals.

Much of the work involved in fibre art symbolises the sanctity of motherhood in Yolŋu culture, and Ms Wanapuyngu, who learnt the craft from a young age watching her family, has had her work displayed across the country, as well as travelling the world.

Having learnt from her grandmother, she started teaching when her daughter was in primary school, just as she had been taught.

"She come back from primary school, and I tell her to sit and learn weaving," Ms Wanapuyngu said.

"My family taught me everything and we used all the colour."

Having had exhibits across Australia, as well as in Japan and the United States, these days, Ms Wanapuyngu's daughter helps her mother collect, dry and dye pandanus palm, with the current centre selling Ms Wanapuyngu's art on her behalf.

"This centre was my idea for the future," she said.

"It was my idea for the people, all the young people."