School administrator Liz Hawker said 130 artists had descended on Wānaka for the week-long school, which finishes on Friday.
All but one were from New Zealand - book arts tutor Phil Ridgeway had travelled the furthest, from Sydney.
Mrs Hawker had found time to enjoy Wellington printmaker Michel Tuffery’s sessions but her administration duties meant she was falling behind the rest of the class.
"I am a printmaker myself, so it is nice to take a moment and come in and learn something. We are life-long learners here at the Autumn Art School," Mrs Hawker said.
"I have been coming here for 26 years. I am swearing like a trouper but loving every minute," printmaker Rae-ann Sinclair, of Hawea, said.
Tuffery, an award-winning Wellington artist of Samoan, Tahitian and Cook Island ancestry, said he was equally enjoying his time sharing his skills in mark making with sharp tools and printing with his class.
It was the first time he has been at tutor at the long-standing Autumn Art School.
The event is organised each year by the Upper Clutha Community Arts Council.
This year, 11 tutors were invited, including writer Catherine Chidgey, botanical artist Jo Ogier and contemporary painter Gary Freemantle.
The arts council awarded scholarships so two promising Mount Aspiring College pupils, Isabella Noble-Kirkbride and Aryenyo Emasu (both 16), could taking painting courses at the school.
The school will be open to the public from 12.30pm-2pm on Friday at Mount Aspiring College.
