Tales from the Historic Clay District

Dietrich Brand & Todd Herter – Fire Under Our Feet Brick Campaign Story

After years of service on the bench, Judge Dietrich Brand has stepped retirement—leaving behind more than just a legacy in the courtroom. To mark this moment, he and The Medicine Hat & Brooks Bar Association purchased a brick through our Fire Under Our Feet campaign, becoming part of the story here at Medalta.

We had the chance to meet with Judge Brand, his wife Kitt, and President of the Medicine Hat & Brooks Bar Association, Todd Herter, who stopped by to share in the moment and show his support. The three of them walked through the site, shared some laughs, and talked about what it means to be part of something lasting.

Judge Brand’s brick is now included in the growing path in the Historic Clay District—surrounded by names and memories from people who care deeply about this place and what it represents. It’s a small marker with big meaning, and we’re grateful he chose to include us in his next chapter.

If you haven’t seen the bricks yet, they’re worth a visit. Each one tells a story—and we’re always building more.

Congratulations, Judge Brand, on your retirement—and thank you for supporting the continued story of Medalta.

History You Didn’t Learn in School

Every corner of the Historic Clay District has a story to tell—some expected, some a little unexpected. This is where art, industry, and people’s lives all intersected… sometimes in very surprising ways. Take this, for example:

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, Medicine Hat’s kilns were known across the country—not just for pottery, but for offering the warmest (and cheapest) place to sleep. As men rode the rails across Canada in search of work, word spread about the kilns’ lingering heat. At night, up to 40 travelers would huddle inside to rest, finding comfort among the bricks. The agreement? By morning, they’d clear out so the factory could get back to work.

These are the kinds of stories that live on in our walls.

Events

Tongue on the Post Folk Festival – January 21-25

TOP returned to Medalta once again for their 19th Festival, hosting performances in the historic kiln, Reception Gallery, Deb Kusler Turning Room, and the Yuill Family Gallery. The event drew 1,000 guests through the doors, and we look forward to hosting their special 20th anniversary festival in 2026!

Dinner in the Kiln: Spring Equinox – March 22

Our first Dinner in the Kiln experience of 2025 was another sell-out success! Collaborating with Tourism Medicine Hat once again, a specialty 6-course spring menu created by 6 different chefs wowed guests as they dined in our historic beehive kiln. Many of the guests were repeat diners, hopeful for another memorable event. Others were first timers who had never stepped foot in Medalta before! Guests were also invited to wander through the Yuill Family Gallery to close the evening, taking in the Medicine Hat Potter’s Association exhibition. Reviews were high yet again and following a social media reel shared by Tourism MH that hit over 90,000 views, Dinner in the Kiln is sure to return!

Bees & Blossoms Spring Market – April 4-5

The first weekend of April served as our way to kickoff the Alberta spring, with our second annual Bees & Blossoms Spring Market! With over 30 vendors to shop, live music, food by MT Nest Café, kid’s activity, and a sold-out workshop hosted by Botanicals, around 2,000 guests filled the museum. The community’s response to our two-day markets continues to grow and vendors are favoring the extended experience.

Medalta International Artists in Resdience Program

Student Award Recipient

Every year in May, we are lucky to host 5 Student Award Winners from post-secondary institutions across Canada for One-Month in our Rotary Classroom space. This program is one example of our advocacy work to engage with emerging contemporary ceramicists. Each student who is selected for the program must be enrolled in a ceramics program and should be in their third or fourth year of their studies. After completing their residency, each student gives a short presentation to their cohort about their time and experience at Medalta.

All studio fees, on-site lodging, and kiln firing fees are covered by Medalta, and each institution provides a $1000 stipend for the student to go towards material costs, travel fees, and/or cost of living expenses.

This year is the 11th annual Student Award program – and we are hosting Thomas Paik from Sheridan College (Oakville, ON), Alex Wang-Chung from Emily Carr University of Art + Design (Vancouver, BC), Manny Davies from University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, MB), Rayna Johnson-Menard from Alberta University of the Arts (Calgary, AB), and Duncan Ryans from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (Surrey, BC).

New Kiln

The Medalta International Artist in Residence program is excited to announce the purchase of a new kiln! Through the continued support of Gwen Strojich, who generously funds Medalta’s only fellowship residency for mid-career artists, the MIAIR program was able to purchase a new electric kiln. This large oval kiln (GX-4227D) has the largest square footage of all our electric kilns totaling 16.5 cu ft. The unique ovular shape provides artists the flexibility to create pieces of a substantial size and asymmetrical shapes.

If you are interested in donating directly to the MIAIR program to support the continued expansion of our internationally acclaimed residency please visit: https://medalta.org/donate/

Rare Finds

Dragons in the Collection

These three gold dragon cobalt vases represent some of the most treasured and rare pieces in our vast collection! Various styles of vases were produced by Medalta, with each being assigned a style number. From left to right, these are Medalta vases in styles no. 112, 108, and 101, all made between 1930 to 1932. These hand-made vases were only made for a few years and are not seen very often. The dragon relief design was also one of the very first designs introduced when Medalta started producing artware in 1930. But what makes these vases really stand out is the use of a gold trim which highlights the dragon against a cobalt base. The cobalt glaze was considered as one of Medalta’s premium glazes as the deep, royal colour was difficult to produce correctly. The use of gold trim made a Medalta piece extra special as it was expensive, required more time to decorate, and needed extra firing, making the overall product more expensive to purchase. If you happen to own one of these visually striking vases, then you have got quite a prized piece in your hands!

Sources:

• FOMS PastPerfect database: MD.1995.039.001, MD.1995.039.002, MD.1996.045.072.
• Getty, Ronald M. Know Your Medalta: Vases. 1995, pp. 17, 23-24, 51-56.
• Douglas, Bruce G. Medalta’s Lamps. 2008, pp. 10-11.

Summer Programs

Unplug & Play: Discover the Magic of Summer at Medalta

Step away from screens and into a world filled with wonder, creativity, and adventure. Nestled in the heart of Medicine Hat’s Historic Clay District, Medalta is transforming the traditional museum experience into a lively, immersive playground of hands-on learning and imaginative play for all ages.

Whether you’re a curious child, an energetic teen, or an adult looking to reclaim the joy of discovery, Medalta’s summer programs promise something magical. Each session includes dynamic adventures like scavenger hunts, trail walks, active games, art projects, science experiments, and of course—clay projects.

Our summer program is designed for children to make new friends, experience nature, explore the unknown, and have fun. We take pride in ensuring our program is much more than basic childcare, it is rich and vibrant, and provides experiences that become treasured, lifelong memories. From puppetry to bottle rockets, from mythical creature creations to teamwork challenges, our programs are designed to spark confidence, collaboration, creativity, and cultural exploration in every participant.

At Medalta, the entire museum becomes your playground. The Reception Gallery transforms into a vibrant activity hub, where kids can build forts, race through obstacle courses, dance, and play classic games like musical chairs and relays. Our walking trails and nearby parks offer fresh-air freedom and the perfect backdrop for nature-inspired play.

New This Summer: Programs for Teens & Adults

In addition to our popular children’s day camp, we’re thrilled to introduce summer experiences tailored just for teens and adults. In a world that moves too fast and demands constant digital connection, we offer something rare: a chance to unplug and play. Join us for creative rejuvenation, where you can explore mindfulness, movement, social connection, and tactile creativity through hand-built clay sculpture and pottery. Rediscover the simple joy of making something with your hands, connect with others in a meaningful way, and immerse yourself in the rich history of craftsmanship and industry that lives at Medalta.

Medalta Summer programs provide hands-on, screen-free fun and cultural experiences rooted in art, history, and imagination. Our programs are welcoming and inspiring for all ages, creating opportunities for personal growth and confidence building.

This summer, don’t just make memories—make magic. At Medalta, clay meets creativity, and adventure lives around every corner. Let your imagination run wild. Let your hands get messy. Let your inner child—or your actual child—roam free!

Registration is open now. Spaces fill quickly, so reserve your spot today and be part of a summer that’s anything but ordinary.

Birthday Parties @ Medalta

Celebrate your kiddo’s big day with a little mud and a lot of magic. Our birthday parties kick off with a 1-hour clay sculpting session, where party guests hand-build their own ceramic creations with help from one of our expert clay guides (no experience needed — just imagination!).

Once the masterpieces are made, head to our private boardroom for cake, snacks, and gift-opening time. You’ll have the space for the full party — that’s 2.5 hours total.

What’s included?

• Clay sculpting session
• Private boardroom access
• Time for cake, presents & more

Whether you’re celebrating a tiny tot or a creative tween, we’ve got the space, the clay, and the good vibes.

Ready to book? Learn more here.

Medalta International Artists in Residence – Solo Exhibitions

Mark your calendars for May 23 for the opening reception at 6pm! We can’t wait for you to see it all come together.

Our Year-Long Artists have been quietly building, researching, and creating in our studios since September 2024. Now it’s time to share what they’ve been working on! Over the next few weeks we will be featuring each of our 3 Year Long Artists but for now, here’s a peak into their exhibition themes.

Stefanie Smith – The Watchers @smithceramics
Stefanie Smith’s sculptural world is home to unseen guardians—strange, silent figures who watch over our world and others. Her work invites us to look closer at what lies just beyond the visible.

Etty Anderson – FANCY PRONK @e_tt_yyy
Etty Anderson reclaims queer histories through lush, subversive still life sculpture. With rich surfaces and loaded symbolism, FANCY PRONK offers a sensory and conceptual meditation on transformation, resilience, and queer joy.

Melanie Barnett – frogsong @melanie.barnett.ceramics
Mel Barnett’s ‘frogsong’ traces the tangled roots of place, memory, and belonging. Through porcelain and storytelling, they reflect on disappearing ecosystems, rural rituals, and the quiet ache of being from somewhere you no longer live.