Medalta receives provincial funding for its artists lodge
By Gillian Slade on September 5, 2018.
Aaron Nelson, executive director Medalta, stands in the kitchen of a building that has been transformed into an artists lodge called Stay and Play with Clay, thanks to provincial funding announced Tuesday.--NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADEgslade@medicinehatnews.com @MHNGillianSlade Provincial funding for Medalta announced Tuesday will enhance its plans for a unique artists lodge called Stay and Play with Clay. Artists, everybody from the professional to the beginner, will be able to come and stay on site for a weekend or longer and immerse themselves in the whole experience, says Aaron Nelson, executive director, Medalta in the Historic Clay District. The lodge, which was the former IXL Brick offices and now accommodates up to 13 people, is almost ready to be officially opened. The provincial grant of $23,625 will go toward research and a survey to determine the best way to manage the Stay and Play with Clay program and incorporate the current industrial museum and ceramic art programs, said Nelson. The artists lodge already works well with current programming but the idea is to go beyond that. “We are sitting on a gold mine of experience here,” said Nelson. Additional programs will give more people more experiences, he said. Someone with a full-time job may choose to travel here for a weekend in the artists lodge and participate in programs. Others may want to stay for weeks for a more advanced experience and participation in workshops. One of the pillars of Medalta is creativity and the artists lodge program may go beyond pottery because of the creativity the site inspires, such as photography, videography, writing and painting, Nelson suggested. “I think this grant will be really exciting for us to explore what creative offering we can offer in the hopes of getting tourists here for meaningful experiences,” said Nelson. “This grant will allow us to hone that down.” The total cost of the project is $31,000 with the province contributing $23,625. It will make it possible to consult with professionals across North America to develop a plan that is economically beneficial for the region, said Nelson. It is an initiative that will likely attract many more visitors to this specific niche market. Medalta was one of 13 recipients of the first intake of the Tourism Growth Innovation Fund to develop strategies and products that will help to expand tourism, particularly in smaller communities and niche markets, according to a press release from Alberta Culture and Tourism. 13
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