Artist In Residence Solo Art Exhibitions 2024
May 8, 2024
Yoga in the Kiln
July 18, 2024
Spring at Medalta has been bustling with events and exciting developments. Our Bees and Blossoms event attracted a lively crowd with live music, over 40 vendors, and plenty of family activities. Dinner in the Kiln (DITK) was a huge success, offering a cozy dining experience in our historic kiln with delicious dishes from local restaurants. Guests enjoyed the Jim Marshall Opening Reception, and we had a blast at Country Dance Night. We proudly hosted the Alberta Provincial Firefighters Convention and celebrated Father’s Day with a vibrant market. Looking ahead, mark your calendars for the “Car Show + Market @ Medalta” on July 11th and our upcoming Country Dance Night on June 29th. Explore our diverse summer workshops on various dates and don’t forget to join us for our Annual General Meeting on June 27th. We’re also excited to dedicate the Turning Room to Deb Kusler, recognizing her generous support for preserving our Historic Clay District. This spring we also welcomed new team members, Michael Scholz and Jolina Galera, as well as our energetic summer staff. Keep reading and you will discover how you can support us through our new Claymates program and contribute to preserving our community’s rich heritage. Click each tab below to learn more.
Annual General Meeting
We are excited to announce our Annual General Meeting on June 27th at 6:30 PM at 713 Medalta Avenue. Join us as we review the past year (2023) and plan for the future.
Turning Room Dedication
Medalta is proud to announce that we are dedicating the Turning Room (Museum) in honor of Deb Kusler. This dedication recognizes her generous donation to Medalta for the preservation and restoration of the Historic Clay District.
Welcome New Employees
We are thrilled to welcome two new permanent team members to Medalta: Michael Scholz, our new Fund Development Manager, and Jolina Galera, our new Collections Manager.
We are also pleased to welcome our new summer students. Nick Holt and Berlyn Rowinski, hired under the Young Canada Works grant, along with Olivia Allen and Anna Taylor, hired under the Canada Summer Jobs grant, will be joining us as Education Assistants for our summer youth programs. Additionally, we have hired Sophia Lavigne and Sarah Lewall as Museum Interpreters under the Canada Summer Jobs grant.
Claymates
Claymates is Medalta’s new monthly giving program. By being a Claymate, your monthly donation gives Medalta reliable and stable support all year around. Monthly gift amounts are specified by donors and are automatic, which in turn lowers admin costs increasing the impact of your gift. Donations made by Claymate members are used to maintain our historic collections and buildings, increase creativity in the community through our artists-in-residence program, deliver our education programming to youth, and support other aspects of our operations such as utility bills. Claymates help ensure Medalta receives the support we need when we need it.
Medalta requires regular ongoing financial support from individuals. Being a charity without regular and/or guaranteed government funding means Medalta relies on private donations to maintain its role in the community. By working together and making consistent donations, Medalta’s mission of preserving the unique heritage of the clay industry in Medicine Hat will continue to grow. In addition, being a Claymate gives donors the knowledge they are part of a larger community of regular donors collectively contributing to the longevity of Medalta.
We encourage you to become a Claymate and commit to a monthly donation to Medalta. By doing so, you will accompany Medalta’s artists, board, staff, and community in a unique way. The steps to become a Claymate can be found here – medalta.org/donate/
Medalta is committed to the highest standard of donor stewardship by committing to uphold the Donor Bill of Rights. This promises transparency and appropriate use of donations. The Donor Bill of Rights is available on Medalta’s donation webpage – medalta.org/donate/
Past Events (March – June 2024)
Bees and Blossoms (April 5th and 6th)
Our Bees and Blossoms event was a hit! With live music from Derek Hintz, 13th Ave, the Ukulele Group, and Kelsey Porter from Taking August, and Sara Dell the museum was alive with energy. Over 43 vendors and 1,600 visitors filled all the museum rooms, enjoying snacks from the Copper Leaf Café and fun activities like face painting and mini-games for kids. It was a fantastic way to kick off spring and celebrate our community.
Dinner in the Kiln (DITK) (April 6th)
Coinciding with Bees and Blossoms, our Dinner in the Kiln event sold out! Guests enjoyed an intimate and cozy dinner set in the historic ambiance of our kiln, making it a standout event of the season featuring 5 local restaurants.
Jim Marshall Opening Reception (April 10th)
Art lovers gathered for the opening reception of the Jim Marshall exhibit, marking the start of an exciting exhibition period at Medalta. The extraordinary works on display drew a great crowd.
Country Dance Night (April 27th)
Over 100 guests danced the night away at our Country Dance Night. It was a fun and lively evening, perfect for showing off dance moves and enjoying a vibrant social gathering.
Alberta Provincial Firefighters Convention (April 29th – May 1st)
We were honored to host the Alberta Provincial Firefighters Convention, featuring visits from the Premier of Alberta and the Mayor of Medicine Hat. The event highlighted Medalta as a top venue for significant gatherings.
Private Bookings and Event Rentals
This spring, we hosted seven private bookings, including weddings and corporate events. These special occasions allowed guests to enjoy Medalta’s unique charm and atmosphere.
Father’s Day Market (June 6th)
Our Father’s Day Market was a fun-filled celebration with beer tasting, live music, a bouncy castle and food trucks. Families and visitors enjoyed a festive atmosphere, making it a perfect way to honor dads and welcome summer.
Upcoming Events
Car Show + Market @ Medalta
Date:Thursday, July 11th
Time: Market hours 4-8pm | Car Show hours 5-8pm
Location: 713 Medalta Avenue SE
An exciting evening at Medalta! Explore a stunning lineup of classic and modern cars and shop at our artisan market featuring local crafts, art, and unique finds. Admission is free, so bring your friends and family! Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for updates.
Country Dance Night
Date: Saturday, June 29th
Time: 7:30 PM
Get ready to dance the night away with Winstyn Horton, a seasoned country dancer, and his partner at Medalta! They’ll guide you through various country dances, including the energetic country swing dance. Enjoy a fun night with a DJ and a fully stocked bar. Admission is by donation (suggested $10 per person). Don’t miss out!
We look forward to seeing you at these fantastic events!
2024 Summer Workshops
We have an amazing lineup of ceramic workshops this summer. You’ll have the chance to explore unique slab building techniques or discover the traditional Japanese art of Nerikomi.
Whether you’re interested in learning about atmospheric firings or delving into the cultural and spiritual aspects of indigenous pottery, our diverse selection has something for everyone.
Take a look below to learn more about each of our workshops!
“Slab Building Buildings” with Carly Slade
Carly Slade will lead students through the process of making a miniature scale model of a building of their choice. The workshop will include a wide range of working methods including extensive information on Carly’s slab-building techniques, how to apply texture, stamping with found objects, surface application of underglaze, and techniques for scaling images for 3D application.
“Nerikomi Intensive” with Eiko Maeda
Eiko Maeda guides participants in a 5-day workshop exploring nerikomi handbuilding techniques. Starting with basic patterns and clay handling, attendees progress to slab building, utilizing plaster molds to shape patterned sheets into objects with increasing depth.
“Salt, Soda, and Surface Decoration” with Lael Chmelyk
Lael Chmelyk guides participants through the atmospheric firing process, with a focus on salt and soda techniques. Emphasizing collaboration with the kiln, students learn surface decoration, including slip layering, inlays, resists, glazing, printing, and textural elements.
“Learning from the Land: Making Indigenous Vessels” with KC Adams
KC Adams leads a transformative journey into Indigenous pottery, focusing on cultural and spiritual aspects. Participants learn clay basics, vessel construction, firing, and cooking, promoting well-being through Indigenous knowledge systems. No prior clay experience is required.
