Vision Statement
The Friends of Medalta Society is dedicated to developing the Historic Clay District as “A world-class cultural district with a heart of clay”.
Mission Statement
The Friends of Medalta Society (the “Society”) fosters an understanding and appreciation of the Medicine Hat Clay Industries National Historic District (known as the “Historic Clay District”), its importance in the development of Medicine Hat, and its impact across Canada through collection, preservation, exhibition and interpretation.
Medalta Staff
The Friends of Medalta Society is a not-for-profit organization established in 1986 which is dedicated to the restoration and development of Medalta Potteries National Historic Site and the 150 acre Historic Clay District as a world-class artistic and cultural hub. Within the District are the historic Medicine Hat Potteries, Hycroft China Provincial Historic Resource, the Medicine Hat Brick and Tile Provincial Historic Resource and the National Porcelain Site. Together, Medicine Hat’s clay industries formed one of Western Canada’s earliest and largest industries.
*Staff photos taken by James Farrell
Nolan Schotanus
Maintenance Summer Student
Tania Wagenaar
Production Assistant
Terry Murphy
Maintenance
Friends of Medalta Society
Randy Lehr
Chair
Melinda Arthur
Secretary
Kimberley Knight
Vice Chair
Trudy Golley
Director
Lorne Simpson
Director
Dennis Schneider
Director
Clint Lawrence
Secretary
Linda Robertson
Director
Ryan Cook
Treasurer
Brad Ambrosi
Director
Mike Onieu
Executive Director
Laurie Switzer
Recording Secretary
2020 Supporters
Allen Dillman
All-Niter Esso
Amy Duval
Ann Hall
Ann Renee Lasante-Lehr
Anton Cu Unjieng
Ashlee Welz
Astrid Kruse
Baumann’s Ventilation & Plumbing Ltd.
Brent Hider
Carole Epp
Chandel Lovig
Charles Curtis
Charles & Patricia Bouman
Cheryl Stromsmoe
Christine Foster
Christine Townsend
Cindy Meier
Clayton Sissons
Craig Henderson
Craig & Andrea Best
David Stalwick
Dean Brandt
Dennis & LaDonna Schneider
Diamond Link Fencing
Dietrich Brand
Donna Sheardown
Ed Pharm Partnership
Estate of Luke Lindoe
Fraser Valley Potters Guild Assoc.
Gena Lacoste
Graeme Cruickshank
Greenbarn Potters Supply Ltd.
Greg’s Remedy’s Rx
Guy Ambrosio
Gwen Strojich
Harvey & Loretta Fix
Hilary Munro
Hope Smith
Hugh Prodan
Ian & Phyllis McLaughlin
Jamie McIntosh
Jane Mackay
Jennifer Demke-Lange
Justin Boodhoo
Kelly Schlenker
Ken Blair
Kimberley Knight
KIWANIS Club of Medicine Hat
Kristin Hobson
Laurie Berg
Laurie Switzer
Lindsay Steiner
Lorne Simpson
Louise Proulx
Lyndsay McCarty
Maiah Crowley
Malcolm & Jennifer Sissons
Margareta Hedin
Mark Leeder
Marlene Semrau
Melinda Arthur
Michelle Stigter
Mireille Perron
Nicola Anderson
Orrie Whitford
Partek IT Solutions
Phyllis Pudwell
Plainsman Clays Ltd.
Pullen-Philmore Holdings Ltd.
Rachelle Knutson
Randy A Lehr
Robin DuPont
Saamis Rotary Club 973
Sacha Lay
Safira Lachapelle
Sandi Ratch
Sayler Steinke
Scott McCreath
Short Grass Ranches Ltd.
Siobhan Jubelius
Steven Lazzer
Terry Baumback
The Curtin Family
Tom Plante
Tourism Medicine Hat
Tyler Totman
Vancouver Island Potters Supply
Vernon McNalley
Virginia Marsh
Wayne Baumback
William Butler
Honour Roll
Honour Roll recipients have made significant contributions to the Friends of Medalta Society. Many of the Founding Committee members continue to offer their services as advisors and volunteers for the society, as do many retired members of the Board of Directors. Volunteers are selected for the extraordinary effort they have extended to the society’s various programs, and staff are chosen for their selfless dedication and perseverance in achieving the goals of the Historic Clay District.
Linda Rossler
Cody Weiss
Dave Stalwick
“The Kiln Diners” Bert and Donna Propp & Dennis and LaDonna Schneider
Jacquelyn Penner
Gwen Strojick
Larry Switzer
Sharon Aaltonen
Wayne Baumback
Allen Dillman
Darla Sawatsky
Quentin Brehmer
Earl Morris
Len Vandervaart
Jim Adams
Phyllis Harvey
Bert Kleis
Jim Pratt
Len Mitzel
Joyce Yamamoto
Barry Finkelman
Jacquie Heard
Marilyn Pacheco
Ken Zollner
Rino Basso
Ronald Getty
Basil Leismeister
Tony Schlachter
Lorne Simpson
Laurie Switzer
Brian Unger
Bill Yuill
Paula Armstrong
Nancy Beatch
Bert Hargrave (posthumous)
Allan Jensen
Audrey Malek
Phyllis McLaughlin
John Moldon
Carol O’Brien
Rob Renner
Malcolm Sissons
Dan Taylor (posthumous)
Annette Unger
Sharon Zollner
Yvonne Anctil
Bill Bauman
Dianne Finch
Jack Forbes
Arne Handley
Darcey Howells
David Jamieson
Reiny Lehr