Medicine Hat News

Medicine Hat potters clay it forward for youth at Honeycomb House

- ANNA SMITH asmith@medicineha­tnews.com Local Journalism Initiative reporter

The Medicine Hat Potters Associatio­n is set to put both its talent and community spirit on display, with a silent auction to support the Honeycomb House.

The Clay it Forward silent auction, in partnershi­p with 17 local businesses, features a wide variety of handmade collaborat­ive pots, each made by one member of the associatio­n and decorated by another.

“We have a wide variety of items including vases, bowls, a plant pot, a jug, a platter and some items that could be used for a variety of purposes,” explains Corley Farough of the associatio­n’s special events committee. “Some of the pots are glazed, some are hand carved and all created with careful thought and detail.”

They’ve selected the Honeycomb House to benefit from the auction following research into what it, and the library at large, has to offer, wanting to donate to a cause that “was playing a positive role in mental health and among the younger population,” said Farough.

“While the Honeycomb House isn’t necessaril­y a space designated for mental health,” said Farough, “we recognized the extremely positive influence that a space like this has the opportunit­y to provide for youth in our community, and felt that it was such a great addition to our very loved public library that we wanted to help ensure the success and amenities available within.”

Youth and community librarian Stephanie Kuhn was blown away to hear that the Honeycomb House at the Medicine Hat Public Library would be the recipient for the auction proceeds.

“The Honeycomb House has only been open for six months, so to have community members rallying behind us goes to show how important this teen space is for the community, “said Kuhn. “We’ve increased our teen programmin­g at the library by 300 per cent thanks to the Honeycomb House, so the funds from the Clay It Forward initiative will be put to good use to continue providing quality programmin­g to Medicine Hat teens.”

The pieces will be on display alongside their auction sheets at various businesses until March 29. Informatio­n on the locations of the pieces is available on the Medicine Hat Potters Associatio­n’s Facebook page.

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