Groups of enthusiastic potential artists rolled up their sleeves and got stuck into learning to craft pots and clay sculptures at a local art gallery this week.

The Isle Gallery, at Tynwald Mills, held the Great Manx Build-up and Throwdown between Monday and Wednesday, under the expert eye of top UK-based ceramicist and TV personality Richard Parker.

Advice and help was also on hand from Isle Gallery artist Anna Clucas and local ceramicist Faye Christian, who offered advice and tips on how to use a potter’s wheel for the first time.

Some chose to construct their pots and bowls on a potter’s wheel,and others built theirs up using thick lengths of clay, and created some stunning examples of vases, jugs and ornaments.

Others employed a decorative technique known as ’Sgraffito’, a medieval Italian method of applying a coat of a contrasting clay onto another, and scoring designs into it.

Richard was impressed by the abilities of the group, and said it was great to see how pottery can be turned into such a social activity.

’It is brilliant to see so many wonderful ideas from so many people who have never thrown a pot in their lives,’ said Richard.

’Their imaginations have really been fired up by the whole experience. They are already talking about when they can come back to the gallery and do some more.

’That is really what ceramics is all about. Getting people young and old and getting them fired up, and getting people creating, and also getting people out and meeting new people, and talking.

’Many of the people here hadn’t met each other before, and they are all sat here talking, chatting, interacting, making plans to meet up afterwards. People who would never had met otherwise,’ he continued.

’It’s a very social thing and it is great to see.’

’Everyone here today has got different levels of ability. There are some wonderful ideas, and some people here are really pushing themselves and their levels of creativity to the limit.

’They are bouncing ideas off each other, and, thanks to that, there are some really good pieces being produced.

’I think a lot of them are surprising themselves.’

Richard himself specialises in medieval pottery, and he said he also dabbles in earlier styles, something that he hopes to find out more about during his stay on the island.

’I do a lot of medieval pottery, and I also have a couple of pieces of Viking-inspired pottery on the go,’ he said.

’I’m looking forward to going to have a look at some of the Viking bits and pieces you have in Peel and at the Manx museum, and hopefully get some more ideas.’