The gallery is subject to the history of 54b/c Bute Street, a building that has housed artist’s studios since 1979. By the mid nineties, these premises had deteriorated to the point of being not only unusable but dangerous. The top floor suffered severe rain ingress as well as suffering a thriving colony of pigeons and occasionally seagulls. Parts of the façade were beginning to become unstable and increasingly likely to collapse. Although still being used by the artists, it was becoming increasingly difficult to see this usage continuing. Speculators were beginning to hover, for even though it was, at this time, worth only negative equity, the site itself represented value.

In 1997, Butetown Artists initiated the capital project that would eventually repair and refurbish these premises. Part of this project included a public art gallery alongside provision for 16 studios. The first stage of this was the gift of the building to be maintained as an arts facility in perpetuity.

This project, which finally totalled £1,052,660, was completed in 2002. Funding was received primarily from the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Fund, with other substantial contributions from Cardiff City Council, CADW, Foundation for the Sports and Arts and the now disbanded Cardiff Bay Development Corporation.

The gallery is situated on the ground floor, with access from two sides, including disabled access. It is certainly one of the best spaces in the city, possessing 1,926 square feet with 228 hanging wall space.