Although Mr Wheeler, who died in June this year, was best known for paintings depicting Otago's built heritage in the 1980s, two of his rare early murals are now on display together for the first time.
The former artist and Waitaki Boys' High School art teacher was instrumental in setting up the gallery as a member of the Forrester Gallery establishment committee.
He was the first artist to display works at the Forrester Gallery in 1983.
Gallery director Warwick Smith said exhibiting the two murals, which date back to the 1960s, was a way to pay tribute to the man.
"To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time these murals have come together in a gallery setting," Mr Smith said.
"This is really a tribute to Colin. He was a widely known and widely respected artist, and [his death] was a great loss to our community."
Mr Smith said the murals had been commissioned by the National Bank and the now defunct Waitaki County Council in the 1960s, and harked back to Mr Wheeler's days as a commercial artist.
He said people who frequented the National Bank or the county council offices might remember seeing the murals.
The exhibition, which opened last week, had already been a hit with the public, Mr Smith said.
"People have really been excited seeing these murals."
Two of Mr Wheeler's other works, donated by the North Otago Museum, and a portrait of Mr Wheeler painted by his friend and fellow artist William Sutton, will also be on display.
It was hoped photographs of some of Mr Wheeler's other works could be added to the exhibition during the next seven to eight weeks, Mr Smith said.
