by Carole Epp | Jan 21, 2012 | Uncategorized
Medicine Hat – The Potters’ Guild of British Columbia (PGBC) and Alberta Potters Association (APA) have developed a new collaborative travelling art exhibition. The show, titled “Alberta / BC in a Box,” is on display at Medalta’s Yuill Family Gallery from January 17 – February 16 with a public reception on Saturday, February 4 from 2:00 – 4:00pm.
The idea of two clay exhibitions traveling simultaneously in Alberta and BC began to take shape in 2010. The works would be of reduced size (boxed at 6”x6”x6”) so that it can be transported with ease. This constraint presented challenges to some of the artists, many of whom are comfortable working on a much larger scale. The artists, for their part, met the challenge head-on and created work which shows a deep connection to the rich culture, heritage and landscape of the artists’ home. Although the PGBC is presenting its third manifestation of its travelling exhibition, this is the first to be developed in collaboration with the APA. BC-in-a-Box 3: The Edge of Here is the British Columbia contribution to the project while the APA theme is Wide Open.
The exhibition at Medalta marks the only time that all artwork will be in the same place. With ceramics on the move across two provinces, viewers will be exposed to a wider variety of artists than can normally be seen. Everyone is welcome to attend the public reception on Saturday, February 4 from 2:00 – 4:00pm.
The Historic Clay District is a 150-acre National Historic Site in Medicine Hat, Alberta which encompasses a number of historically significant clay factory sites. One of the centerpieces of the Historic Clay District is the Medalta Potteries National Historic Site, which features an industrial history museum, major industrial archaeological excavation, contemporary ceramic artists-in-residence program and working pottery. It is one of eight major attractors within the Canadian Badlands and receives significant support from the Government of Canada, Government of Alberta and City of Medicine Hat.
For more information, visuals or interviews, contact:
Quentin Randall
Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator
Medalta, in the Historic Clay District
403.529.1070
[email protected]
medalta.org
by Carole Epp | Nov 29, 2011 | Uncategorized
Throughout December, The seven artists currently in residence in our Shaw Centre will be exhibiting and selling their work in our brand new Yuill Family Gallery. All of these ceramic artists are well-established in their field (many nationally & internationally) and their work is very unique. They’re visiting Medicine Hat for the year and have already made themselves at home in our community. For the art collector in you, this exhibition will be very interesting. It is also the first opportunity this new group of visiting artists will have to showcase their work to the community. We hope you can all make it so we can show them how Medicine Hat appreciates its artists. The exhibition runs from December 1 – 16 with the grand opening on December 1 at 7:00pm. We hope to see you all there.medalta.org
by Carole Epp | Nov 5, 2011 | Uncategorized
In September 2009, the Friends of Medalta Society received over $3 million in funding from the Federal Government’s Economic Action Plan which would enable them to strengthen economic opportunities in Medicine Hat. On Saturday, November 5, 2011, the Friends of Medalta will be unveiling their new gift shop, changing exhibit gallery, major reception gallery and collector’s gallery at the Medalta Potteries National Historic Site, which is a centerpiece of the Historic Clay District.
“Today’s grand opening of Medalta’s new facilities marks an important milestone for a cultural landmark that plays a vital role in attracting visitors to our community while preserving our past,” said LaVar Payne, Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. “Our Government is proud to have contributed to an initiative that is creating economic benefits and jobs in our community.”
In addition to the Federal Government’s support of the enhancements at Medalta, the Government of Alberta contributed over $1 million, primarily from the Major Community Facilities Program, while the City of Medicine Hat contributed $365,000.
The construction work created significant jobs for local workers over the past two years, positively impacting the local economy during tough economic times. With the enhancements completed, Medalta is expected to be a major regional destination, drawing additional visitors to the area, further impacting the local economy.
“Thanks to the Community Adjustment Fund and Canada’s Economic Action Plan, we have been able to hire a significant amount of local workers,” explained Historic Clay District Executive Director Barry Finkelman. “With these new facilities now open to the public, this region will see additional and sustained economic benefit from being a strong tourism draw.”
To celebrate Medalta’s enhancements, a grand opening celebration is being held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2011. At that time, it will be dedicated the “Yuill Family Gallery” and will feature greetings from Federal, Provincial and Municipal representatives. Everyone is welcome to attend this event.
For more info:
Quentin Randall
Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator
Medalta, in the Historic Clay District
p. 403.529.1070 e. [email protected]
by Carole Epp | Aug 7, 2011 | Uncategorized
LOCATION: Medalta Potteries – 713 Medalta Ave SE
Koi Neng Liew (website) This exhibition is the culmination of Liew’s year-long ceramic arts residency at Medalta’s Shaw Centre. The exhibition, which is on display in one of Medalta’s Kiln Galleries, features a number of the artist’s striking large-scale sculptures. As an active part of Medicine Hat’s cultural community, you are invited to the opening reception, which will feature remarks by the artist. As members of Medicine Hat’s active cultural community, we hope you are able to show these visiting artists how much we appreciate the Arts.Visit the Medalta Website for more images from this amazing exhibition.
by Carole Epp | Jul 22, 2011 | Uncategorized
Find out more about the Medalta Historical District here.
Xanthe Isbister was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Honors degree from the University of Manitoba in 2004, and her Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2008. Following her graduate studies, she had the opportunity to live and create work in a studio in Roswell, New Mexico. Since moving back to Canada, she has had the opportunity to teach at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and the University of Manitoba. Most recently she was awarded a Special Opportunities Grant from the Manitoba Arts Council and attended the year long residency at the Medalta International Artists in Residence in Medicine Hat, Alberta. She has exhibited both nationally and internationally including the National Council on Education for Ceramics Arts, the Alberta Craft Council and is creating work for an exhibition at the Gardner Museum in Toronto, Ontario this coming fall, 2011. www.xantheisbister.com.
