Howick Falls & Ardmore
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Port
Durban, South Africa
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
Information Not Currently Available
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$259
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 7 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Depart the quayside and drive via Pietermaritzburg to Howick, which is located in the heart of the Natal Midlands and approximately 95 km from Durban. View the magnificent Howick Falls, approximately 100 meters of spectacular display almost in the centre of the picturesque town itself. Known to the Zulu people as KwaNogqaza - Place of the Tall One - the falls were first seen by European adventurers in the early 19th Century, as transport riders and wagon trains pioneered routes inland from the coast. English missionary James Archbell was granted a farm here, but the rapid increase in horse-drawn traffic soon compelled the government of the day to expropriate a portion for the establishment of a village. This settlement was duly named Howick, in tribute to the Northumberland home of then British Colonial Secretary, Earl Grey.
Continue to a local restaurant for lunch.
After lunch visit the Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio, meet the artists as you view the process of throwing clay, sculpting, painting and finally firing of these unique pieces.
The story of Ardmore began in 1985 when Fèe Halsted-Berning lived on the farm Ardmore, in the Champagne Valley under the shadow of the Drakensberg Mountains. Her passion for ceramic art had been honed during her five years at the University of Natal where she studied fine art and then completed a two year advanced diploma in ceramics.
Fèe's first student was Bonnie Ntshalintshali, the daughter of a farm employee. Bonnie's natural aptitude for ceramic art soon attracted other members of Bonnie's family who asked if they too could learn from Fèe. This led to the creation of Ardmore, the largest ceramic art studio in South Africa. Bonnie became known as one of South Africa's leading ceramic artists, while Ardmore's exciting diversity of ceramic art has been endorsed by Christie's, London as ‘modern collectables'.
Fèe's merging of western ceramics technology with African art is only part of the story of Ardmore. Of even more significance has been her encouragement of their imagination based on nature, Zulu folklore and tradition. Fèe has been described as ‘a creator of artists'. As well as giving so much of her artistic ability to her creative team, Fèe has won numerous art awards, including the Standard Bank young Artist's Award which she jointly won in 1990 with Bonnie Ntshalintshali. The large group of sculptors and painters who produce ceramics under the Ardmore label amply demonstrate the diversity of talents that has emerged under Fèe's tuition. As she says: ‘The Zulu people have a wonderful sense of colour and rhythm and a gift for design and balance, all they needed was opportunity'.
The flamboyant ceramics have captured the attention of collectors worldwide – as a result of the many awards that have been won by the Ardmore artists and particularly as a result of the Christie's exhibition and art auction in London. The studio now consists of over 50 artists who mostly produce the decorative collectable ranges while a few concentrate on fine art.
Ardmore provides tools and facilities as well as training and guidance to artists to create these amazing works. The artists draw their creativity from African fauna and flora to create one of-a-kind ceramic artworks.
Since 1988 when Ardmore was hit hard by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Ardmore has pioneered the recognition & treatment of their artists & sculptors. At a time when ARV’s were not readily available in South Africa, Ardmore worked tirelessly with experts in the field to educate their staff in AIDS prevention & to provide medication to AIDS sufferers. The Ardmore Excellence fund receives 6% of all sales which is then used to meet medical expenses, counselling, education and training for the employees. Ardmore also believes in making art accessible to children in impoverished communities and holds weekend workshops at local schools every quarter. Budding artists are encouraged to pursue their talents in a fun and uplifting environment.
Return to the quayside in the late afternoon.