This is a quick post-event review. More news and photos from the day will follow soon.

There was a fantastic turnout on Saturday, with an estimated three thousand plus people coming through Dixon Park all day. And they didn’t want to leave!

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Artists
The artists shone. Some of the comments heard from professional artists and guests of honour:

“I had no idea the West Coast boasted such enormous talent”;”Amazing work”;”Great diversity of styles”.

Performers
The musicians and performers provided fantastic entertainment all day. The performers were talented and diverse and it was a wonderful day of such talent.

Participants
We cannot thank participants enough: sponsors, volunteers, wonderful committee, friends, etc. Tents contributed to the festive atmosphere, parking was well catered for, thanks to the Karoro Learning Centre. Catering was spectacular…we almost ran out of food early in the day but kept replenishing the really tantalizing tastes and kept going until 5pm (from 6.30am!)

Sponsors
The sponsors were overwhelmed. The event far exceeded their expectations. The sponsors were thrilled and will wholeheartedly support the vision of an annual event. Some of the sponsors’ comments:

“Great thing for the west coast”; “Keep it going year after year”; “History in the making”.

Great Spotted Kiwi
The sales of limited edition prints of Michelle Irwin’s “Great Spotted Kiwi” went very well and the Paparoa Wildlife Trust are delighted. The original sold for a very handsome sum. It was purchased by a patient of Grey main hospital and donated to the hospital for future patients to enjoy. Thank you so much for the buyer’s magnanimous gift to the hospital.

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South African Guests
The wonderful threesome from South Africa are delighted with the way the event went and are pleased to be connected to this group. There were many sales of African art work and there were wonderful song and dance exhibitions by the two men. They love New Zealand and hope to be back year after year to support this “awesome” event:

“wonderful ambience, wonderful people”

Art in the Park Committee
This incredibly superb committee are exhausted but oh so pleased with the overwhelming success of the inaugural event and planning is already underway for next year’s event.

Guests of Honour
The opening speeches were very supportive and encouraging. Mayor Tony Kokshoorn was so supportive of anything local and Minister of Tourism Damien O’Connor spoke of seeing the benefit on tourism for South Island. After the event they couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome and are already talking of the next event. Sincere thanks to both of them for their great support.

All our guests of honour were thrilled with the outcome of the inaugural event and encouraged the committee to make this an annual event, something the West Coast will become known for. The artists were delighted with the exposure and sales – all wish to be involved again next year.

A big thank you to all of the visitors to the Art In The Park whose vibrant presence and interest was the yardstick by which the success of the event was measured.