By Alex McCuaig

Going old school

Back to the future: Medalta production ramps up to mitigate pandemic impact

Oct 2, 2020 | 2:32 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The city’s hundred-year-old ceramic industry was the toast of Western Canada for much of the 1900s.

But the buildings that once powered the local economy fell into disrepair after shuttering in the 1980s only to rise again to become the National Historic Clay District in this century.

Medalta rebounded to become a world-renowned contemporary ceramic arts centre and museum, and now is facing another struggle due to COVID-19.

“Revenues are down about 80 per cent across all departments which is a significant hit,” said Medalta’s executive director Mike Onieu. “We’ve cut expenses where we can but the simple fact is we’re not getting people through the door.”

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

2h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

The museum was able to reopen, some of the international and local artist programs were able to resume and summer camps were able to run with reduced capacity. But there are a number of revenue streams still radically impacted.

Weddings, markets and other events held at Medalta have seen either reduced capacity or cancellations.

There has been one bright spot.

“We know demand for our wares always exceeds our capacity,” said Onieu. “We are looking to put more Medalta ware into coffee shops, restaurants, homes. We think it’s a great product. It’s all handmade using the same equipment that’s been used at Medalta for 100 years.”

The Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta recently stepped in with a $50,000 grant from a federal COVID relief package they administer for social enterprises like Medalta.

The Emergency Community Support Fund grant – designed to help such non-profits support ongoing revenue generation – is something that fits well into Medalta’s needs, says foundation coordinator Niki Grey.

“The two kilns that were purchased with their grant is going to be significant, save weeks on production and be able to stock the market within Medalta here,” said Gray.

Production manager Lisa Miklash says some products like the half-gallon crocks can’t be made fast enough to meet demand.

“It’s very busy in this production studio. All the wares that go out into the gift shop fly off the shelves. It’s been difficult to keep up,” said Miklash.

Medalta is also selling numerous items – ceramic steins, cowboy hats, Medicine Hat Stampede & Exhibition mugs – from the Hycroft China factory which were left when it closed in the early 1980s. Some of them have been since rebranded with current company logos.

Onieu says despite the success, Medalta still needs to raise funds and is encouraging Hatters to donate as part of its Buy a Brick campaign.