Fired Up!

Celebrating 40 Years of Clay, Culture, and Community

On Saturday, May 2, 2026, Medalta in the Historic Clay District invites you to celebrate a major milestone of 40 years of The Friends of Medalta Society (FOMS) with a full day of creativity, community, and clay.

As part of our “Legacy Series,” Fired Up! is a free, family-friendly event that brings together hands-on experiences, live demonstrations, and interactive programming across our historic site.

Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Time: 10:00 am  – 5:00 pm
Location: 713 Medalta Ave SE, Medicine Hat, AB
Admission: Free | All ages welcome | No registration required

 

🔥 What to Expect 

Education Showcase 

Step into a world of curiosity and creativity with our Education Department’s immersive hands-on experience designed for all ages!

• Explore a mini pop-up museum filled with intriguing historical objects from our study collection. Each one ready to be touched, examined, and puzzled over as you guess its original purpose.
• Continue your journey at the clay sensory station, where you can feel clay in every stage of its transformation, from raw earth to finished ceramic.
• Then unleash your artistic side at the decorating station, adding your own flair to bisque fired mini brick walls in a playful, graffiti inspired activity perfect for all ages.
• Little builders will love the Kids’ Play Station, an imagination rich zone stocked with miniature bricks, LEGO, blocks, and a giant puzzle.
• Before you go, explore our lesson displays and teacher resources showcasing the diverse educational programs we offer, from clay science to historical inquiry, highlighting the many ways students can learn, create, and discover with us

Roaming Tours

No bookings are required ahead of time! Various guides will be placed throughout our spaces all day long, so that you can come explore at your own pace. Enjoy informal, drop-in guided experiences throughout:

• The Medalta Museum (led by experienced interpretive guides)
• The Shaw Centre for Contemporary Ceramics (led by professional ceramic artists & current artists in residence)

Live Demonstrations

Watch skilled makers like our “Jigging Master” Lisa bring clay to life in Medalta’s historic production spaces, using historic equipment that is still operational over 100 years later!

Community Clay Project

Choose to be part of something big! Each person will get a chance to contribute their own piece of clay to a large-scale outdoor sculpture led by the Medalta International Artists in Residence (MIAIR) program.

Sculpture details to be announced soon!

Selfie Station

Snap a photo at our beautifully decorated kiln and share your experience using #medaltafiredup. Sponsored by Brenda’s Design Room.

Giant Yard Games

Enjoy outdoor games for all ages including Plinko, Tetris Tumble and more! Sponsored by Grand Rental Station.

On-Site Bar

A cash/card bar will be available during the event including a new beer collaboration with Medicine Hat Brewing Company.  We will also be offering a variety of non-alcoholic options including the famous Nitro Cold Brew from Station Coffee Co.

Celebrate With Us

For 40 years, The Friends of Medalta Society has worked to preserve Medicine Hat’s clay heritage while building a vibrant future for ceramic arts and community connection. Fired Up! is your chance to experience that legacy firsthand.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates and more events in our anniversary year.

📞 403.529.1070

📧 reception@medalta.org