Kilns are being fired and ovens are roaring, as many of the island’s leading ceramicists prepare for their annual arts show.

The Manx Potters’ Fair, which is set to take place at Braddan Church Hall on Saturday, November 20, from 11am, will feature the work of nearly 20 different potters and artists who create with ceramics and clay.

A host of artists and artisan crafters, including the likes of Faye Christian, Celine Appleyard, Felicty Wood, Steve and Sally Black, Shareen Jewell, Vici Blackburn, Colleen Corlett, Kathryn Cain and many more will all be showcasing their work, which will include ranges of inventive Christmas gifts and decorations, ornaments, sculptures, kitchenware and other hand-crafted decorative items.

The Potters’ fair is now in its fourth year and has always proved to be a popular event, allowing people to meet the people behind the art work and to buy a locally-produced unique gift item.

Ceramicist Anna Clucas, who will also be displaying her work, said that the fair also give the potter’s themselves the chance to meet up and share their ideas, techniques and secrets between themselves.

’It was an artist called Susie Heckles who started the Manx Potter’s Fair in 2018 from out of nowhere, really,’ said Anna.

’It was held down at the Engine House, in Castletown and it proved to be really popular.

’From that I and a few others put the Manx Potter’s group together. The idea of that was to get the Isle of Man’s potters together and give us all a chance to meet and say hello at least once every year.

’Artists are typically working by themselves at home and don’t often get the chance to meet up with one another, and the fair is a great way of keeping in touch and finding out what everybody has been up to.’

The Manx Potters’ fair is the only dedicated pottery showcase of the island and the number of clay artists who take part year on year reflect the growing popularity of pottery as a craft, hobby or art form.

’The fair is also a great way for artists like us to show off our work,’ said Anna.

’There is an abundance of talent on the island where creativity is involved.

’Having a fair solely exhibiting and selling ceramics ware, is definitely not an event to miss.’