The first weekend of Artists Open Studios was a roaring success, according to one of the event's organisers.
Open Studios, Wanganui's foremost arts event, kicked off over the weekend and will continue next weekend, March 29-30. It is an annual event that sees more than 100 artists in 70 studios open their doors to the public.
Co-organiser Esther Topfer said about 800 people went through Starting Point - the Open Studios "taster" exhibition at the Wanganui Community Arts Centre - over the weekend.
"The hub at Duncan Pavilion had a massive crowd and actually ran out of food at one point."
The number of out-of-towners visiting studios was particularly pleasing, she said, though a few studios did not get the numbers they had hoped for.
"Overall, it was a very successful weekend," Ms Topfer said.
Greg Betts said his studio Bricksticks, which was a hub for 11 artists, had a "wonderful" weekend.
Mr Betts estimated about 150 people passed through each day.
"There wasn't a time when the place was empty, it was a constant stream of people all day. People just seemed happier and more chatty this year."
And that translated into sales for Mr Betts.
"Last year I sold eight kauri spoons over the whole four days of Open Studios, but this year I sold several chairs and 20 kauri spoons on Saturday alone."
Lyndsay Patterson from Chronicle Glass said while the studio was usually busy during the weekends there had been a marked increase in sales, particularly on Saturday.
Carmen Simmonds said her weekend had been "quietish", although an error in the Open Studios trail guide meant some visitors had gone looking for her in Waverley.
But a number of collectors from Auckland had visited her and sales had been good, she said.
Marton artist Steuart Welch exhibited his steel sculptures at Paloma Gardens, near Fordell, and had about 100 people visit over the weekend.
"Considering how far we are from Wanganui, I thought that was pretty good," Mr Welch said.