The Whakatāne Art House is showcasing the work of around 100 Whakatāne artists in its annual winter exhibition, which runs until Sunday.

The exhibition features a wide range of artwork, including paintings, pottery, woodturning, quilting, fibre crafts, wood carvings and handmade bags, highlighting the variety of creative talent within the Whakatāne Society of Arts and Crafts.

A winter theme has also been incorporated, with hand-knitted jerseys and other fibre-crafted items on display.

“We have 150 artists that belong to the art society, and when there’s an exhibition they will rally and put a piece in, which is really, really lovely,” spokeswoman Pam Mossman said.

Among the featured works are hand-dyed quilts, intricate pottery, and photolike paintings of the Bay of Plenty area.

Mossman said the exhibition reflected the diverse range of artistic styles and skills found within the society.

“It’s a very talented art house,” she said.

Unlike many exhibitions, visitors are encouraged to interact with some of the displays, with “Please Touch” signs inviting them to feel the tactile fibre art pieces.

“Yes, please touch. It’s just the opposite of what you normally see because we want people to go, ‘Oh yes, that’s nice.’ They’re very tactile,” Mossman said.

Artists also take turns staffing the exhibition, giving visitors the opportunity to meet the people behind the work.

“The artists who have their work on the walls here; they come and sit and run the thing as well.

“We have different artists every day, but it’s really cool because if you come in, you get to meet the artists who have done the work in here,” Mossman said.

Many artists continue knitting, sewing or working on other projects while greeting visitors, giving people a chance to see the creative process in action and ask questions about the artwork on display.

The exhibition has already attracted strong public interest, with sales exceeding expectations.

“Saturday was so busy, there was no time to do anything,” Mossman said. “This morning I think we’re about up to about a dozen pieces already today, and it’s a quiet day.”

She said the exhibition had drawn both visitors from the region and tourists travelling through Whakatāne.

Many people discovered the exhibition through social media, while others stopped after noticing the large promotional signs and flags outside the Arts House.

“People were coming along the road and saw the flags, and the gate was open. They said, ‘We always wanted to have a look in here,’ so they came in,” Mossman said.

The winter exhibition is slightly different from previous years, with the society extending the event to a full week instead of its usual winter weekend exhibition.

The society also holds a larger summer exhibition, which typically runs for four weeks.

Beyond the exhibition, the Whakatāne Society of Arts and Crafts hosts classes throughout the week, including painting, fibre crafts, embroidery and quilting.

Mossman said the groups met regularly at the Arts House, providing opportunities for people to learn new skills and connect with other artists.

The society is also encouraging new members to join and bring fresh ideas.

“We’re always looking for new members,” Mossman said, adding that new people often introduced different perspectives and creative ideas to the group.