"As the Nelson Mandela Museum, we want to collect the history of Tata Nelson Mandela throughout South Africa and in Qunu... because of his role to change the life of the people here," said museum CEO Khwezi Mpumlwana, using a title of respect for elders.
"That's why we decided to call on local artists to be part of the collection of Nelson Mandela's legacy," he said at the launch.
The paintings and drawings are portraits of Mandela and his family.
The exhibition follows a project to teach business and artistic skills to young artists from the impoverished province.
Mandela was in 1990 released from 27 years in prison and was elected South Africa's first black president four years later. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and served one term before stepping down in 1999.
The museum was opened in 2000 in the village where he grew up and which he returned to after retirement.
A host of celebrations are planned across the country for his 94th birthday on July 18.
Last Wednesday South African President Jacob Zuma launched a 127-million-rand ($15-million, 12.5-million-euro) project to build a bridge linking two tribal territories in the hilly province.
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