Pottery pleases public at Whanganui's Artist Open Studios

President Jim Farley with volunteers Pauline Walton, Pat Townsend and Elaine Clark prepping for another busy day. Photo/ Bevan Conley

Carefully crafted turtles and cheeky looking pigs were among the treasures that glistened through the window of Wanganui Potters Society's studio.

The workshop, located on Taupo Quay, had its doors open on Saturday and Sunday to debut in Whanganui's 2018 Open Artist Studios.

President of the society Jim Farley said more than 400 people had turned up on Saturday which was great to see.

"People can buy a bit of pot, we glaze them, then take them to the Raku kiln which they seem to be really interested in.

"We leave the pottery there for 30 minutes at more than 1000C ... then we put them on a tray, sawdust it, cover it with tin which burns out the oxygen and then glaze it with different colours."

Mr Farley said people had been really amazed to see what it turns out like.

"It's quite neat to see all the creations people have made."

The pottery society has been running in Whanganui for more than 50 years and has more than 70 members.

End result of a turtle made from an pottery newbie. Photo/ Bevan Conley