The White Lodge : The Story So Far..........

Created by ceramic artist and international development expert Ben White, The White Lodge (TWL) is a non-governmental organisation (and registered charity) which specialises in setting up long-term development projects in Latin America. We currently work in the specialist areas of ethical trading / Fair Trade, international trade, arts & culture, small business development and sustainable agriculture. Visit our Interact section later in the year to learn more about TWL and its projects.

Art & Craft Projects : Ethical Trading & Style

Sick and tired of meeting wonderful artists and artisans around the world who's work goes unrewarded, I decided to set up an art & craft gallery and web-site to bring their fantastic work to you!. I started trading in 2004, and our various arts related business projects have expanded slowly and sustainably over the following years.

Our approach is to mix world class arts & crafts with ethical trading, which is unusual as most people do not associate fine art and crafts with the developing world (mainly due to decades of negative media coverage and general ignorance about life in developing nations). We aim to bring you the finest quality work from our stable of artisans in Latin America, whilst simultaneously pushing back the boundries of Fair Trade. Our strict ethical policy ensures that we help to transform the lives of our artists through our intimate one-on-one working relationship.

Design & Style..........The focus of our arts & crafts is on unique, unusual and exclusive products and designs, which generally fit into a 'classic' or 'contemporary' mould, ie. they blend into British and European homes and gardens. Our arts & crafts are perfect for people who are looking for something exclusive, interesting, a little bit different, inspirational, and with a story attached to it - often without paying art gallery or other such premium high street prices.

The Clay Boutique Shop & Newspaper

Launched in 2008, The Clay Boutique is the online arm of our arts & crafts projects. The web-site is divided into two parts, an online (e-commerce) shop where you can purchase items, and an Interact section which acts as an online newspaper, where you can learn more about our projects. The latter will be up and running in autumn, but the shop is open and ready for business now!.

Romney Marsh Art & Craft Gallery

Located in the unique area of Romney Marsh in South Kent and situated in a newly renovated stable, our gallery is a fascinating blend of British and Latin American art, craft and design. The gallery combines our pioneering work with artists in Latin America with a new exhibition space for UK artists.

By spring 2009, we hope to have monthly exhibitions of work from British artists, and until then you can view the La Ceramica Collection (and other crafts) in the three rooms which are already open. The gallery also reflects my interest in economic, social and environmental issues, which is expressed through our projects in Latin America and our strict ethical trading and environmental policies. Read the Visit our Gallery section to learn more about the gallery.