A Day at Ardmore

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN OUR SPECIAL ARDMORE DAY - WE ARE NOW FULLY BOOKED - PLEASE EMAIL [email protected] - to be placed on the wait list

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT

Please join us at ARDMORE for a Day of Art, Culture & Creativity

in the KZN Midlands.

Saturday , 13 June

Set in the rolling beauty of the KZN Midlands, this is more than an outing — it is a day designed to awaken creativity, nourish the soul, and celebrate the extraordinary spirit of Ardmore.

Spend the day immersed in art, storytelling, equestrian elegance, and warm Midlands hospitality. From hands-on creativity with celebrated Ardmore artists to an unforgettable dressage performance and a leisurely harvest-table lunch accompanied by renowned historian Douglas Rattray, every moment has been thoughtfully curated to inspire connection, beauty, and joy.

Whether you come with friends, family, or simply a desire to create something meaningful, you will leave carrying far more than a handmade artwork — you will leave with memories.

THE EXPERIENCE

09:00 | Arrival & Welcome Refreshments

Your morning begins with a warm Midlands welcome. Enjoy freshly brewed coffee, cappuccino, or rich hot chocolate as you settle into the inspiring surroundings of Ardmore.

Please arrive by 09:00 to settle in and fully enjoy the experience ahead.

09:30 – 11:30 | Your Art Class Begins

Meet your Ardmore artist, settle into the studio, and ease into a guided morning of artistic discovery.

No previous art experience is needed. Whether you are 8 or 80, Ardmore’s artists will gently guide and encourage you, helping you discover the simple joy of creating with your hands.

This is a relaxed, uplifting, and deeply personal experience — an opportunity to slow down, connect creatively, and learn from renowned Ardmore artists in an intimate and inspiring environment.

CHOOSE YOUR CREATIVE JOURNEY

Sculpture Experience

Work with clay under expert guidance as you mould and shape your own original artwork. Learn foundational sculpting techniques, creative detailing, and the expressive Ardmore approach to storytelling through form and texture.

Your finished piece will be professionally fired in the kiln and ready for collection in mid-July — a lasting keepsake from your day in the Midlands.

OR

Mug /Plate Decoration Experience

Paint and decorate your own Ardmore-inspired mug while learning decorative techniques, pattern work, and visual storytelling through design.

This expressive and joyful session allows you to create a functional artwork that reflects your personality and creativity. Your mug will be glazed and ready for collection in mid-July.

11:30 – 12:30 | The Art of Dressage & Ardmore Atelier on the Arena

Following your art class, guests will move to the dressage arena for an unforgettable fashion showcase and equestrian performance.

11:40 – 12:00 | Ardmore Atelier on the Arena

Ardmore artists, joined by their children, will grace the red carpet at the dressage arena, presenting exquisite looks inspired by Ardmore fabrics and designed by the artists themselves.

The showcase promises to delight and inspire with its imagination, colour, and creativity — a vibrant celebration of wearable art in the heart of the Midlands.

12:10 – 12:30 | The Art of Dressage

Be captivated by a breathtaking dressage display presented by Megan and Catherine, daughters of the Ardmore family, accompanied by the enchanting rhythms of the live marimba band from Thembelihle School.

Dressage is often described as the ballet of horse and rider — a refined art form celebrating harmony, trust, precision, and grace. Every movement reflects years of dedication and the quiet, unspoken connection between horse and human.

Against the magnificent Midlands landscape, this elegant performance becomes more than a spectacle — it is emotional, meditative, and deeply moving.

12:45 | Harvest Table Lunch & Storytelling with Douglas Rattray

The experience continues at the Ardmore Gallery verandah with a leisurely harvest-table lunch served in true Midlands style.

Guests will also enjoy a captivating talk by renowned South African historian and storyteller Douglas Rattray, who will share fascinating interpretations and stories from the legendary Anglo-Zulu War battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift.

Rich in history, humour, and humanity, his storytelling brings the landscape and its past vividly to life.

HARVEST TABLE MENU

Welcome Drinks

Guests are welcomed with a glass of red or white wine.

A welcome glass of apple juice will also be available.

Harvest Table Selection

Please help yourself to a generous seasonal spread including:

• Honey Baked Gammon with Mustard Sauce
• Beef Fillet with Mustard Crust & Chimichurri
• Coronation Chicken topped with roasted almonds and caramelised onions
• Cocktail Portuguese Rolls
• Butter Chicken Filo Pies
• Green Herby Salad
• Vietnamese Vegetable Spring Rolls
• Za’atar Roasted Cherry Tomatoes on Lemon & Chilli Yoghurt
• Turmeric & Lime Roasted Chickpeas on Hummus
• Green Cous Cous Salad with Cumin & Roasted Pistachios

Sweet Treats

• Date Balls
• Brownies
• Wedgewood Nougat Wedges

Beverages Available for Purchase. Terra del Capo Sangiovese | Terra del Capo Pinot Grigio(available by the glass or bottle) Soft drinks Still water Sparkling water

EXPERIENCE PRICING

Art Experience Adults: R800 | Children: R500

Dressage Performance, Harvest Table Lunch & Douglas Rattray Talk Adults: R800 | Children: R500

Spaces are strictly limited to keep the experience personal and meaningful.

Come create, connect, and celebrate art in one of the Midlands’ most beautiful settings.

ABOUT THE ARDMORE COMMUNITY FUND

Our mission is to give the youth of the KZN Midlands the gift of creativity — building confidence, encouraging critical thinking, and nurturing practical skills that help them grow and thrive. Through access to the arts, we create safe, supportive spaces where young people can express themselves, discover their strengths, and believe in their potential