Long before Medalta’s historic buildings were restored and the Shaw Centre for Contemporary Ceramics welcomed artists from around the world, Gwen Strojich was exploring the site as part of a pottery field trip.

At the time, the grounds were largely ruins. Gwen, a hobby potter from Calgary, visited with fellow ceramic artists from Fairview Pottery. She still laughs about leaving with an unexpected keepsake—a salt brick from one of the old kilns that she has held onto ever since (pictured above with her pottery).

That first visit sparked a connection that would grow over the decades.

Clay has been part of Gwen’s life for nearly fifty years. Beginning in the late 1970s, she immersed herself in Alberta’s pottery community, spending countless hours at Ceramics Canada and Fairview Pottery. She worked alongside and learned from many talented artists, including renowned potter Dave Scholes, and at one point served on the board of the Alberta Potters’ Association.

While she no longer makes pottery due to the physical demands of the craft, her appreciation for ceramics remains as strong as ever.

“It’s always been a part of me,” Gwen says.

Over the years, her connection to Medalta continued through friends and fellow artists, including longtime friend Elaine Zimmer, whose work has been exhibited at the site. But it was a visit to the Shaw Centre for Contemporary Ceramics in 2013 that transformed Gwen’s admiration into active support.

Having recently received an inheritance, Gwen was considering how she might use the funds in a meaningful way. During a tour, she learned that Medalta was fundraising for a new Blau kiln. Inspired by the vision for the facility and the opportunities it would create for artists, she made her first gift.

What began as a single donation soon became a lasting commitment.

Today, Gwen’s support helps artists through the Gwen Strojich Fellowship, which provides financial assistance, studio access, and accommodations for an emerging ceramic artist. She has continued to support Medalta year after year, with additional contributions directed toward the Medalta International Artists in Residence program and equipment for the Shaw Centre.

For Gwen, supporting Medalta has never been solely about facilities or programs. It’s about people.

“I have a love of clay and the people I’ve met through it,” Gwen says.

That sense of connection remains important to her. Although travel has become more difficult in recent years, Gwen still tries to visit when she can, often making a point of meeting the fellowship recipient she helps support. When artists find themselves in Calgary, she extends an open invitation: stop by for coffee, and she’ll have cookies ready.

Even from a distance, Medalta continues to be a meaningful part of Gwen’s life.

What keeps drawing her back is the same thing that first captured her imagination decades ago: the creativity, curiosity, and community that surround ceramic art. She believes Medalta offers something truly special—not only for artists, but for Alberta’s broader arts community.

By investing in emerging artists and helping sustain opportunities for creative growth, Gwen is ensuring that the ceramic community she has loved for so long continues to thrive for future generations.

At Medalta, we are incredibly grateful to have Gwen’s continued support in helping keep our ceramics program alive.