The funeral service honouring the life of Bill will take place at Medalta at 1:30pm

Bill was one of Medalta’s biggest supporters since the 1980′s. He was a founding board member of the Friends of Medalta Society in 1986 and again took a leadership role when the Friends of Medalta undertook a major fundraising initiative between 2004 & 2008.

Bill’s passion and ambition are a positive examples for all and we are proud to have known him.

Memorial gifts in Bill’s memory may be made to the Friends of Medalta Society (713 Medalta Ave SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 2S8) or the Medicine Hat Community Foundation (104, 430-6th Ave SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 3K9).

From the dawn of mankind, clay has recorded our creativity. The earliest humans skilfully formed beautiful items from clay to satisfy their artistic souls. Come explore and learn both the ancient and modern clay skills of hand building and wheel throwing.

Beginners and those with some clay experience can gain confidence by creating artistic and functional pottery pieces that are glazed and fired. Clay and tools may be purchased at the first class for a small additional fee.

Enjoy the thrill of bringing clay to life with your own hands! Instructors for these courses are visiting artists who are participating in the Medalta International Artist in Residence Program.

Session 1:

-          Where: Shaw Centre (Medalta Potteries). 713 Medalta Ave SE

-          When: 6:30pm – 9:30pm, Mondays, February 6 – April 9 (9 weeks)

-          Cost: $149.00 + GST

Session 2:

-          Where: Shaw Centre (Medalta Potteries). 713 Medalta Ave SE

-          When: 6:30pm – 9:30pm, Tuesdays, February 7 – April 3 (9 weeks)

-          Cost: $149.00 + GST

Session 3:

-          Where: Shaw Centre (Medalta Potteries). 713 Medalta Ave SE

-          When: 6:30pm – 9:30pm, Wednesdays, February 8 – April 4 (9 weeks)

-          Cost: $149.00 + GST

Session 4:

-          Where: Shaw Centre (Medalta Potteries). 713 Medalta Ave SE

-          When: 6:30pm – 9:30pm, Thursdays, February 9 – April 5 (9 weeks)

-          Cost: $149.00 + GST

REGISTATION:

Register online through Medicine Hat College. Website

Over the course of ten weeks, you and your little artist will explore ceramic art, painting, music, drawing and more … all in a fun, encouraging atmosphere at Medalta.

Each session is lead by an experienced art instructor who will give your child the confidence to create on their own (with just a little help from you). The goal is to have fun and get those little hands dirty as your child makes masterpieces for your fridge, walls and shelves.

The cost includes all art materials and instruction for you and your little artist.

$100 + gst

2 – 5 years

Medalta, in the Historic Clay District
713 Medalta Ave SE

Mondays:

10:00am – 11:30am

February 13 – April 23

To register, contact:

ron@medalta.org

403.529.1070

If there was ever a time to celebrate, it’s when one of your friends and colleagues is appointed to the Order of Canada.

A reception to celebrate Les Manning’s appointment to the Order of Canada will take place on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 7:00pm at Medalta’s Shaw Centre. Everyone is invited to attend and celebrate his lifelong dedication to the arts.

“In 2010, the idea of two clay exhibitions traveling simultaneously in Alberta and BC began to take shape. The works would be of reduced size (boxed at 6”x6”x6”) for shipping considerations. Consequently,  scale is also a factor in how we view the show.  Philosopher Gaston Bachelard, in referencing the use of miniatures in art and literature, noted that:  “…the minuscule, a narrow gate, opens up an entire world” – this analogy is an apt descriptor for the pieces in the exhibition.

Though diminutive in size, these works expand into many ‘worlds’ through their diverse approaches, concepts and techniques  while echoing the subtitle: ‘Wide Open’. Appreciation and delight is to be found in our interactions with the many forms, surfaces, coloration, function, decoration and subject matter.”

- Alberta Potters’ Association

This exhibition is on display in Medalta’s Yuill Family Gallery from January 17 – February 16 and is the only time that all artwork will be together in one place.
A public reception will be held on Saturday, February 4 from 2:00 – 4:00pm in the Yuill Family Gallery. There will be no charge to view the exhibition on this day.

It is a fun, interesting display which features a wide range of artistic styles.

Everyone is welcome to view this display during regular museum hours (regular museum rates apply – no charge for Medalta members).

It is a fascinating piece of architecture which has literally been buried for a century. Despite its age, it is in remarkably good condition and is the centerpiece of our recently re-opened and re-designed Kiln Room which also features a gift shop and Yuill Family Gallery.

You can read more about The Dig by clicking here or visit us during our regular museum hours.

In the meantime, have a look at these photos of the archaeological site, taken by Visual Musings Photography.

Until Spring, we’re open Tuesday to Saturday the rest of the year with the exception of holiday weekends, in which case we are closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Hours
12:00pm – 4:00pm Tuesday – Friday
10:00am – 4:00pm Saturday

** Medalta will be closed on November 11 – 14 as we celebrate Remebrance Day **
** Medalta will be closed from December 20 – January 3 as we celebrate Christmas **

Museum Admission Rates
Adult:                  $10
Senior (55+):    $8
Youth (<18):     $8
Children (<5):   FREE
Family (2 & 2): $25
MEDALTA MEMBERS: FREE

In recognition of a body of work that spans four decades, Medicine Hat artist Les Manning was named a Member of the Order of Canada. The announcement, which came on December 30, 2011 from Canada’s Governor General’s office, celebrated “his contributions to the promotion of ceramics, as an artist, teacher and arts advocate.”

Manning – who grew up near the community of Provost, Alberta – credits his high school art teacher, Mrs. Ruth Auburn, for encouraging him to pursue a career in the arts. Manning recalls Mrs. Auburn and her husband organizing all the necessary paperwork to enrol him in Alberta College of Art and even driving the 400km to Calgary to begin his studies. “Her trust in my skill as an artist gave me great confidence,” Manning explains. “I promised myself I would complete the [Alberta College of Art] program in her honour.”

After graduating from Alberta College of Art in 1966 with a Ceramics major, Manning spent some time working in a production studio, teaching community art classes and engaging with the Banff Centre of the Arts while squeezing some time in for studio work. In 1973, Manning was named the first Director of the Ceramics Studio at the Banff Centre and played a pivotal role in designing the facilities which made it a world-class destination for ceramic artists around the world.

During his twenty-five year tenure at the Banff Centre, Manning engaged with many arts organizations. His term as President of the Alberta Potters’ Association opened the door to become Chair of the organizing committee which brought the International Academy of Ceramics’ (IAC) assembly to Calgary and Banff in 1973. In addition, he served as Vice President of the IAC for eight of his twelve years as a member of the Council.

Manning was instrumental in the creation of the Canadian Craft Council and served as its first President until 1975. He was also President of the Alberta Craft Council from 1986 to 1988.

Following his time at the Banff Centre, Manning moved to Ontario for six years before returning to Medicine Hat, Alberta in 2001 to assist with the expansion of the Medalta International Artists in Residence program. Manning donated his time to Medalta for eight years and was instrumental in the design of new artist residency facilities – named the Shaw International Centre for Contemporary Ceramics – at the Medalta Potteries National Historic Site, which is a centrepiece of Medicine Hat’s Historic Clay District.

Medalta’s Shaw Centre marked the fourth studio facility in which Manning was heavily involved. He was also instrumental in designing studio spaces for the Haliburton School of Art, which is a satellite campus of Sir Sandford Fleming College in 2002 and the Fort Saskatchewan Pottery Guild (Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta) in 2003.

“I can’t imagine anyone more deserving of the Order of Canada than Les,” says Historic Clay District Executive Director, Barry Finkelman. “He gave us eight years as a dedicated volunteer with the goal of seeing the Shaw Centre facilities come to life. We now welcome artists from around the world and all of them are excited at the possibilities the studios present.”

Fellow ceramic artist and current Alberta College of Art & Design Instructor Greg Payce was equally thrilled with Manning’s appointment. “I have known Les for over thirty years and have watched with enthusiasm, awe, and respect as his career has developed.” Payce, who is an internationally known artist in his own right, went on to say “[Manning] is arguably the face of Canadian ceramics internationally. His selfless and tireless advocacy has truly shaped the Canadian and International contexts for both current and future generations of artists.”

Manning’s career is highlighted by his tireless commitment to community-building and acting as an advocate for the arts. In addition to his community work, Manning’s artwork is included in permanent collections around the world, including Japan, China, Egypt, Turkey and Korea.

After forty years of community service, Manning says he is looking forward to spending more time in his studio at Medalta’s Shaw Centre. “It’s incredible to even be considered for the Order of Canada. All of the efforts which got me there made for less time in the studio. Now that I’m home in Alberta, I have been able to find the time to pursue the ceramic work I really started to do forty years ago.”

A reception to celebrate Les Manning’s appointment to the Order of Canada will take place on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 7:00pm. Everyone is invited to attend and celebrate his lifelong dedication to the arts.

The Historic Clay District is a 150-acre National Historic Site in Medicine Hat, Alberta which encompasses a number of historically significant clay factory sites. One of the centerpieces of the Historic Clay District is the Medalta Potteries National Historic Site, which features an industrial history museum, major industrial archaeological excavation, contemporary ceramic artists-in-residence program and working pottery. It is one of eight major attractors within the Canadian Badlands and receives significant support from the Government of Canada, Government of Alberta and City of Medicine Hat.

- 30 -

For more information, visuals or interviews, contact:

For Immediate Release

Friends of Medalta Society acquires Medicine Hat Brick & Tile Site from I-XL Industries Ltd.

December 22, 2011

Medicine Hat – On Thursday, December 22, 2011, I-XL Industries Ltd. announced that the Medicine Hat Brick & Tile site has been acquired by the Friends of Medalta Society (who act as Stewards of the National Historic Clay District) in an effort to further preserve Medicine Hat’s industrial heritage. The plant was flooded in June 2010, and although the site was cleaned up, I-XL announced in September of that year that the plant would not re-open.

The acquisition includes land, buildings and equipment directly related to the Brick & Tile site which represents a total appraised value of approximately $3M. The balance of the site (north end of the I-XL property) will be retained by the Company.

I-XL Industries Ltd. has owned and operated the Medicine Hat Brick & Tile site since 1929. I-XL Industries Ltd. President Malcolm Sissons announced additional financial support which is intended to maintain and restore the site in the short-term and act as seed money for future cultural development in relation to the Brick & Tile site. The total value of the cash donation from I-XL to the Friends of Medalta Society is estimated at approximately $4M.

The Brick & Tile site is an important part of Medicine Hat’s heritage, with over a century of history, dating back to 1886. Sissons, who is also Chair of the Historical Resources Committee for the City of Medicine Hat, explains, ”when the June 2010 flood forced us to cease operating the brick plant, we didn’t want to see that industrial story fade away. We feel the Friends of Medalta Society are in the best position to ensure this local heritage lives on through interpretation of Medicine Hat Brick & Tile.”

Historic Clay District Executive Director Barry Finkelman echoed Sissons’ comments. ”A large part of Medicine Hat’s story is about the early industrialization of Alberta. That history begins with our community’s clay industries and, quite specifically, the site on which Medicine Hat Brick & Tile was built. It would have been unfortunate to lose such a unique piece of our past which is why we are so pleased with I-XL’s commitment to preserving this community’s legacy.”

The vision for the site includes tours of the historic brick plant, the re-creation of a soft mud brick interpretive site, which will explain the brick-making process as it was done in the late 19th Century, as well as residence facilities for visiting artists to Medalta’s International Artists in Residence program.

“This is a very exciting announcement,” explains Finkelman,” as it provides us the opportunity to share more of our community’s story in a meaningful, interactive way. We look forward to working with I-XL and other partners over the next number of years to bring this new vision for Medicine Hat Brick & Tile to life.”

The site is currently under consideration as a Provincial Historic Resource and is thought to be the oldest industrial site in Alberta.  Of significant interest are the layers of industrial development from hand-made brickmaking to the robotic era.  A recent excavation revealed brick rubble from the 1880’s period. The “frozen in time” condition of the facilities represents the operation as it was in 2010.

The Historic Clay District is a 150-acre National Historic Site in Medicine Hat, Alberta which encompasses a number of historically significant factory sites, including the Medicine Hat Brick and Tile site. One of the centerpieces of the Historic Clay District is the Medalta Potteries National Historic Site, which features an industrial history museum, major industrial archaeological excavation, contemporary ceramic artists-in-residence program and working pottery. It is one of eight major attractors within the Canadian Badlands and receives significant support from the Government of Canada, Government of Alberta and City of Medicine Hat.

The I-XL Group of Companies was founded in 1912 as the Redcliff Pressed Brick Company Limited by James Hargrave, Herb Sissons and other shareholders.  In 1929, it acquired the Medicine Hat Brick and Tile and moved its head office to that site.  Major modernization started in 1953 with the construction of a tunnel kiln, and subsequent additions of automated handling equipment.  In recent years, brick manufacturing at the Medicine Hat plant site represented about 15% of the Company’s total sales.  As I-XL enters its 100^th year in 2012, it recalls fondly its brick manufacturing history in Redcliff and Medicine Hat. 

- 30 -

For more information, visuals or interviews, contact:

This is when the studio kicks into high gear! Up to 16 artists at all stages in their career share the studio for a dynamic month of creativity. Students, professionals and even non ceramic people mix it up for an exciting time of experimentation, learning and of course a highly social atmosphere. Six of our full year residents will act as mentors so you can start to actualize your ideas from the minute you arrive. All firings are included.

June @ Medalta

June 1-29, 2012

Price

$675/month

Availability

Six openings

Apply here.