An avant garde rooftop and exhibitions of creative works from the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic's graphic design students opened last night to student band Cicada Circus.

The garden designed by artist, Laurie Steer, has transformed the Polytechnic's Bongard rooftop from a large glazed courtyard with one of the best views in the city to a colourful playful garden.

The rooftop of the BOP Polytechnic Bongard Centre building has been transformed into a colourful wonderland.

The glazed balustrades a mass of drawings by Emily Armstrong, the paddling pools inviting children young and old to play.

The Bay of Plenty Polytechnic brought its end of year exhibitions forward this year to coincide with the biennial Garden & Artfest.

Last night students, their families and visitors were exposed to artworks created for finals by the diploma students.

The exhibitions start in the foyer with blown up photographs by Nicole Troost and a wall of smaller works by a selection of students. Exhibitions either side of the garden include artwork and photography by final year art and graphic design students.

The rooftop is open daily from 10 – 4pm with a performance by Anna Coddington on Friday evening outside from 6-10 pm.

Meanwhile the Garden & Artfest Garden Trails opened yesterday with Area One – Katikati, Pahoia and Omokoroa – flooded with happy festival visitors.

The weather was fine with an occasional very light shower which did nothing to put off the garden goers who started arriving as soon as the gates opened.

Katikati was particularly busy; the gardener themselves were surprised at the numbers.

The Kauri Point and River Cottage gardens near Katikati were popular with Garden & Artfest visitors.

The River Cottage garden was so busy they had to make a mercy dash to town for more catering supplies. Claudia Gorringe's Standards of Excellence Topiary Nursery and Potting Shed Café tables were all taken.

Fay Cairns small rose garden right in Kakikati was full of people enjoying Devonshire teas among her gorgeous roses.

Visitors to the St John Ives' coastal garden at Kauri Point loved the Italian ambience.

Area Two - Te Puna, Bethlehem and Tauriko - is open today and promises to be equally busy.