The Nelson Arts Festival is being declared the best ever in sales and
positive comment.

Nelson City Council Festival director Annabel Norman says there were record
ticket sales.

³People really responded to our programme and we¹ve had the largest number
of sell-out shows ever,² she said. ³We¹ve also had big turnouts at our free
shows and community events.²

Annabel said the Manifest Sculpture Exhibition was another success -
attracting works of excellence from New Zealand¹s top sculptors and
achieving some Œexciting¹ sales.

The festival began on October 11 and wound up last night with a full house
for the Topp Twins, a thoughtful solo show at the Suter, a hilarious comedy
at the Deutz Lighthouse and a lot of tired children and adults who¹d enjoyed
the Fulton Hogan Family Finale at Albion Square.

The Nelson Arts Festival is presented annually by the Nelson City Council as
a celebration for locals and an attraction for visitors.

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