Cunningham has set up her temporary studio in one front room where visitors can view her sculptural artworks along with her signature range of jewellery made from vintage silverware.
Garland's studio in the room opposite has a range of her paintings, prints, sculptures and mixed media works.
Both artists have held solo studios in previous years and found the sharing experience "worked brilliantly".
"We've hired an eftpos machine and that worked well because I think you can miss out on sales when you're cash only," says Cunningham.
Garland said there were a lot of "cash and carry" sales and visitors left the studio with plenty of the artists' smaller items.
Cunningham closed her Flying Dog studio in Drews Ave last year and set up a home-based workspace separate from her family living areas whereas Garland says she is happy to work anywhere in the house.
"The plaster is prepared alongside the peas sometimes," she says.
Whanganui galleries also reported good visitor numbers for the first weekend of open studios.
"We had around 400 visitors through on Saturday," said Jim Norris of Fine Arts Whanganui.
"There were a lot of sales and people particularly liked Julie Laird's 'Manrobe' piece."
Visitors can see a sampling of studio artists' work at the Starting Point exhibition at Whanganui Community Arts Centre before charting their courses for the weekend.
Space Gallery owner Sarah Williams said there were plenty of visitors to Fleur Wickes' and Glen Hutchins' exhibitions which will continue next week.
Judy Webby of Wanganui Arts Society said there were plenty of visitors to Cooks Gallery where artists were busy at their easels or working on needlepoint creations while chatting to visitors.
The Brunswick Art Collective opened their rural studio for the first time in 2018 and member Keeley Eastwood said they have extended their studio space this year.
In addition to their converted shed studio at 107 Campbell Rd, the collective of five artists and two guests has set up a room inside the cottage.
"Between us, we produce photography, prints, stitch and felt work, mixed media, paintings, Vedic art and weaving crafts," says Eastwood.
Artists Open Studios is on again this weekend from 10am until 4.30pm this Saturday and Sunday. Trail guides can be purchased from the Whanganui Community Arts Centre or downloaded from the website, which also has extensive information about artists and events.
