Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s 32nd Art Show and Sale started off with a bang on its first two days, with the featured artist, Barbara Harris, selling 25 of her paintings on the first night.

“We had an amazing night last night,” said Melissa Hlinovsky, NSA’s annual fund coordinator.

Every hallway in the Lower School was filled top to bottom with paintings. About 204 artists contributed pieces to the event, and there were at least 1,000 pieces of art lining the halls.

Most of the artists continue to contribute to the art show after the first night. Once they sell a handful of paintings, they will replace them with others they have completed. The only caveat is that they cannot bring something they used in years past.

On Saturday morning, Harris had brought 15 more paintings to fill the spots that were empty.

“My house is basically wiped out,” Harris said.

In addition to the hanging art, there were two rooms filled with three-dimensional art, which totaled about 2,000 pieces of items such as jewelry, pottery and blown glass creations.

Friday night was the Sponsors’ Reception, and 164 sponsors attended to enjoy the first night of the show and get first dibs on the paintings. On the first night, 28 paintings sold.

On Saturday, the Lower School campus was filled before 11 a.m. with people, and tags were being taken away left and right. Many of the attendees had been to the art show in years past.

“I remember when it began,” said JoAnne Hunter, former NSA English teacher. “It has grown so much.”

The artists could also be found roaming the hallways, taking in the other art as well as discussing their art and their day jobs with other attendees.

“I’m usually painting from 7 a.m. on Saturday to 6 p.m.,” said Edward Vann, a speech pathologist at CHKD. “I donate a lot of paintings to the CHKD. Painting gives me so much, and I feel like I need to give back.”

Other artists at the show have the opportunity to give 100 percent of their time to their craft. Deborah Jeanne Barfield, a Suffolk resident, is now retired and gets the chance to dedicate more time to her jewelry.

When visitors walked into the Lower School, they had the opportunity to see the featured artist complete a painting live. Harris painted a small scene from a photograph she took; the focal point was an interesting-looking tree.

“I get the basics done in two hours,” Harris said. “I go back a few days later and add little finishing touches.”

The art show and sale will continue until Feb. 4.