About the artist

The story of Ardmore began in 1985 when Fée Halsted-Berning embarked on a journey to teach ceramics to a talented group of rural people on a farm in a remote corner of the KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. The name Ardmore comes from the first farm where Fée lived, located in the picturesque Champagne Valley. It was here that she first met Bonnie Ntshalintshali who became her first student. In 1990, under Fée's mentorship, they jointly received the Standard Bank Young Artist award.

 Ardmore Ceramic Art is created and produced by Zulu artists in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains. Each vibrant piece - be it a platter, teapot, vase, or bowl - features hand-painted flora and fauna, uniquely expressing African folklore and depicting the myths and legends of rural life. This embodies "The Vision and Soul of Africa," while also reflecting the economic and social upliftment of the Zulu people in KwaZulu-Natal.

The artists at the Ardmore studio receive training, guidance, materials, access to a studio and a guaranteed market for their work, all supported by a skilled marketing and administrative team. Over the years, Ardmore’s artists have won numerous awards and exhibited widely in South Africa and around the world. Ardmore artworks feature in leading galleries and collections, including the Museum of Art & Design in New York and the Museum of Cultures in Basel, Switzerland. The renowned auction house Christie’s has recognised Ardmore artworks as “modern day collectibles”.