Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy watched carefully and asked lots of questions as artist Philip Stokes showed her how to dip rods into hot glass and make a paperweight.
Then she had a go at making one herself, at New Zealand Glassworks in Whanganui's Rutland St.
As well as her career in business and law, Dame Patsy is the patron of several arts organisations, including a close involvement with film.
She expressed an interest in buying some of the glass art on show at the gallery.
The visit is one of several she will make in Whanganui. On August 14 she was at Pūtiki Marae for Dame Tariana Turia's investiture.
