Seductive curves and classic cherry-red lines turned heads toward the inaugural Jag ‘n' Arts in the Park event in Stoke.

The Stoke Sunday Market - in just its sixth week - hosted a gallery of about 20 classic Jaguar cars and a selection of works by Nelson artists on the grass in front of historic Broadgreen House yesterday.

The event was a collaboration with the Nelson Jaguar Drivers Club and was such a success that manager Janet Whittington is looking for other clubs to work with in the coming weeks.

Neither the art nor cars were for sale, but regular market stall owners did benefit from the display, which she said brought plenty of extra people to the park.

A "fabulous, sunny Nelson day" helped, attracting about three times more foot traffic to the park than usual.

Nelson Jaguar Drivers' Club president John Eales said the pilot Jags ‘n' Art in the Park event went "brilliantly" and he was already thinking about what to improve for next year's collaboration.

"Nelson is a pretty arty place and we have a lot of artists around, including several in our club who had never displayed before," Mr Eales said.

The artists got to show their work and the club got a chance to grow, he said.

The Nelson Jaguar Drivers' Club turned 30 last year, and boasts about 50 family memberships.

Mr Eales' 77 XJS was on display.

"Sometimes she gets sworn at, like the kids," he joked, but he said she was "a good girl" yesterday.

Ms Whittington said the market had been a success, and would continue in front of Broadgreen House on Sundays throughout the year.

"The main sign that it all went well was the number of smiles on people's faces," she said.

"One of the main reasons I started the market was that I felt that it's nice for Stoke to have a heart, where things happen. Somewhere to just go and enjoy the atmosphere," she said.

"It does provide an outlet for local businesses and fledgling enterprises to get started.

"But it's as much about the public enjoying themselves as making money."

- © Fairfax NZ News