Ardmore Ceramic Art was established in 1985 through a special collaboration between Fée Halsted and Bonnie Ntshalintshali. From diverse backgrounds, they recognised in each other the true artistic skill to envision, create, produce and sell unique ceramic pieces. Their exuberant exotic style has been both locally and internationally recognised and Ardmore’s pieces have found their home in numerous art collections around the world. The studio has stayed close to its KZN roots and has trained and developed local artists, changing their lives. Ardmore uses its distinctive imagery and styling to make functional, superb quality ceramic and non-ceramic products including dinnerware, tapestries, furniture, fabrics for soft furnishings, and more. And, you can just pop in!
Just off the winding road that leads through the Midlands Meander - with immaculate horse stables, dressage arenas and beautiful trees - amidst rolling hills and meandering rivers lies the Ardmore Ceramics Studio, where unique pieces of art are crafted by a team of amazingly creative, meticulous people.
In this ridiculously picturesque setting is a showroom with the most wondrous creations... multicoloured, quirky and sometimes quite mad these ceramics are full of African beasts and birds, wrapped around vessels, vases, teapots and more. And every piece is mindblowing. I’ve seen Ardmore’s highly collectable pieces before, but visiting the studio where the magic happens was quite special.
There are 3 main studios, each full of people carefully creating their current masterpiece. Each piece is conceptualised by the team, brainstorming and sharing. Inspiration comes from African proverbs, photographs of creatures and sheer imagination!
In the first studio, the artists carefully mould the structures with clay, adding all the embellishments. In the second, the details are added – tiny markings, patterns, textures and other fine details. In the third, the pieces are painted – often using the wildest and brightest colours imaginable.
This means that along the way, from conception to showroom, each piece passes between many hands, and thus each creation really is a team effort, The sense of comaraderie and love among the team is palpable – a combination of gentle, quiet, passionate creativity.
A visit to Ardmore Ceramics Studio is highly recommend and the best news is that it’s close to delicious places to stay, like Hartford House and Fordoun Hotel and Spa - making for a great excuse to plan a weekend trip to the Midlands…