COROLLA — Without knowing exact numbers, officials say they believe more than 15,000 people attended last week's 7th annual Under the Oaks Arts Festival.

"I think we hit a record attendance this year," said Kim Barbour, the show's organizer.

The festival was held last Wednesday and Thursday at Heritage Park at the Whalehead Club. Barbour said she believes the week's nice weather and the selection of talented artists attributed to the show's success.

"I had a lot of wonderful feedback," said Beverly Branch, who also helped organize the festival. "People told me they thought it was the best show ever."

This year's artists — who came from North Carolina, Virginia, Indiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Florida — exhibited a variety of work including oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, photographs, ceramics, pottery, jewelry and other decorative arts.

Several vendors who have participated in past festivals said Under the Oaks was one of their favorite shows because of the setting and the number of art enthusiasts it attracts. On Thursday, Donna Drew, of Copper Creations of Melfa, Va., said sales were so good that she was down on inventory.

"I love this show," said visitor Nancy Cross, of Mechanicsburg, Va." It's not reproduction art like a lot of other shows have."

The show was juried and one of the top prizes went to Sheep Incognito artist Connie Togel, whose paintings are inspired by nature and the environment. However, her main subject is sheep. Togel's unique exhibit drew a steady crowd of visitors. Artist Russell Yerkes took the top prize, and Florida artist Scott Casey won third place for his ceramics.

Horace Bell, chairman of the Whalehead Preservation Trust, said he believes the number of Heritage Park visitors is up this year with an average of 100 people a day touring the Whalehead Club.

The art show's success also appears to benefit other aspects of the Currituck community. For instance, Barbour said that the Corolla Library did quite well with its bake sale, as did the Chamber of Commerce with a silent auction.

"I believe that this was, by far, the best one (art show)," said Chamber president

Shannon Kinser.