PERKATA GALLERY was establish since 1985 by Datin Judith Satem and Mrs.Shelley Woollam as a subsidiary income support for Sarawak Association For The Welfare Of Intellectually Disabled Children. The school is a non-profit charitable organisation and operates the School for Mentally Retarded Children in Kuching. Initially it only sold cards bearing scenes of Kuching and a Recipe Book, "Made in Sarawak". Then in 1988 it came under Persatuan Bagi Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Terencat Akal, Sarawak (PERKATA SARAWAK). In 1988-1992, Mrs. Christine Davis started designing T-Shirts for sale. Mr. John Darmody offered the use of beautiful photographs of Sarawak for the production of the famous photocards. Sale began expanding to Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.

PERKATA GALLERY was opened at Taman Sri Sarawak Mall in 1992 where two assistants were employed to manage the stock and deal with customers under the continued supervision of Datin Judith Satem. In 1992-1993, the range of goods offered by Perkata increased. New additions included Sarawak postcards, Sarawak Desk Calender, Note Cards, Seasonal Greeting Cards. For the designs on the Greeting Cards, Perkata is indebted to Australian artist, Marian O'Brien. Then the Official Opening of Perkata Gallery by YABhg. Datuk Amar Puan Sri (Dr.) Hjh. Laila Taib on 19 August 1998.