WELCOME TO THE VAULT CULTURAL COLLECTIVE
August at The Vault
The Vault Hits 2 Milestones!
The Vault Cultural Collective has been open and serving Strathmore for 4 years AND...... we have 800 followers on Facebook! Two milestones for The Vault during the summer of 2025! WOW!! THANK YOU for your continued SUPPORT of The Vault! We hope to be Strathmore and areas Cultural Cornerstone for MANY years to come!!
What a BEAUTY!
The Vault looks radiant this summer! So fortunate to have this beautiful historic building in our community! Be sure to drop by and admire The Vault in the summer sun! A special thank you to Strathmore Communities in Bloom for the beautiful planters that adorn The Vault entrance!
The Vault ROCKS!
Elaine Wheeler, one of The Vault Cultural Collective's artists brought a gift to The Vault today, the most beautifully designed and painted rock! Elaine wanted her beautiful rock to be a doorstop, to keep our front door open, to welcome summer visitors into The Vault on beautiful warm days! Drop by to see the ROCK and THE VAULT!!
The Vault Has a Street Piano!
Look at what appeared outside The Vault! Thank you to our mystery piano provider! Come PLAY ME!
Stampede Parade Time at The Vault!
The Vault had a great time pampering artist Kate Smith, her family and friends, the VERY LUCKY winners of the Strathmore Stampede Parade Campaign! The Vault's Chair, Carolyn Steeves, Vice- Chair Donalda Ledene and Secretary Jette Brown enjoyed provided our special guests of honour with many special treats from The Vault! A special day for Cowboy and Cowgirls! Yahoo!!
The Vault's Second Annual Summer Drama Camp
The 2nd Annual Vault Summer Drama Camp was a HUGE success with 30 campers!! A huge THANK YOU to the Calgary Young Peoples Theatre drama camp instructors Laura and Breanne and to Ini and Tavish, our drama camp assistants! WOW! What a team!! Our drama campers had soooo much fun!!
Here are a few of the MANY positive comments The Vault received about our AMAZING drama camp!
1. My child loved ethos week so much. She came home everyday saying she had the best day ever!
2. My son came home every day happy and excited to share what activities he participated in!
3. What a great thing for the kids kids. Loved seeing the play!!
4. My son absolutely adored the camp and had nothing but positivity coming from the experience!
5. Great camp, kids LOVED it and were very excited to show all of their hard work at the play.
6. We will be back!
7. Our daughter had the best time. She was so excited everyday to come!
The Vault is already looking forward to the Third Annual Summer Drama Camp in July 2026!
The Town of Strathmore's Culture and Wellbeing Task Force
The Town of Strathmore's Culture and Wellbeing Task Force has awarded The Vault Cultural Collective a funding grant to support The Vault's ongoing programs, activities and special event programming aimed at enhancing and supporting culture and wellness in the community of Strathmore and area!
The Vault is ecstatic and VERY GRATEFUL for the incredible support!! Thank you Town of Strathmore!!
Strathmore FCSS LaunchesYouth Community Bingo Initiative!
The Strathmore FCSS has launched their Youth Community Bingo Initiative and The Vault is once again participating! Youth ages 11 - 20 can be one of the lucky 30 to collect stickers from local agencies including The Vault and receive a ticket to the Joyland Theatre or a pass to the Strathmore Aquatic Centre! The Youth Community Bingo Challenge runs the month of August. Spread the word!
Alberta Culture Days 2025
The Vault Cultural Collective and other community partners are very busy planning for Alberta Culture Days 2025! Be sure to check out the full Calendar of Events happening at The Vault Cultural Collective and other Strathmore locations.
The Vault is celebrating Alberta Culture Days in a big way with 7 events running through the month of September. You’ll experience a taste of the continent by immersing your senses in the sights, sounds and flavours of the cultures. Make jewelry and masks, sample foods, and travel the continent through photos and stories. Join us as we experience Africa!
The Vault can't wait to celebrate Alberta Culture Days 2025 with Strathmore and area in September! More in depth information is coming soon!
The Vault Speaker Series Presents Jambo! Jambo!
The Vault Cultural Collective will be featuring the continent of Africa throughout September during Alberta Culture Days 2025!
On Friday September 19th at 7 pm join Nancy and Dirk van Egmond for Jambo! Jambo! Visit Africa through Nancy and Dirk's slideshow, talk and discussion on their recent visit and experiences while visiting Africa!
Registration is FREE! Tickets In Person at The Vault or Online at thevaultonline.ca/collections/tickets will be available very soon!
THANK YOU TO OUR ALBERTA CULTURE DAYS SPONSORS!
What's New In The Vault History Corner
The Western District Historical Society recently added a new historical photographs to their display area in The Vault Cultural Collective's Lower Gallery! Thank you to the WDHS for always making Strathmore and area's HISTORY a priority! Be sure to drop in and visit The Vault's History Corner!
Historic Walking Tours of Strathmore & Gleichen Available
Did you know that the Western District Historical Society has developed 3 HISTORICAL WALKING TOURS of Strathmore and one of Gleichen? HOW COOL IS THAT! There is even an App called “On This Spot” available for download at onthisspot.ca/cities/strathmore.
The Vault also has pamphlets available for sale with “before and after” pictures, a map and information about each stop! An awesome summer activity for the whole family!
New Western District Historical Society Display “Before Indoor Plumbing and Running Water“ Features 19th Century English Crockery
The Western District Historical Society has a new DISPLAY at The Vault entitled “Before Indoor Plumbing and Running Water“ and features 19th Century English Crockery. The display was curated by Lynne (Mercer) Fair from some of her private collection. Lynne's father was born in England and when her grandparents emigrated to Strathmore in 1910 & 1911, they brought much of their household with them. None of the crockery in this display is her family’s originals, but the photos of the marble-top wash stands are part of her family’s English bedroom suites. Lynne is very proud that her family farm here is now in its fifth generation.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
When early immigrants came from Europe, many well-to-do families were able to bring much of their household belongings and furniture with them. These early porcelain washstand sets were used daily in the era of “carry it in and carry it out“ water usage and conservation. Early prairie settlers had to make do with very practical enamel wash basins and chamber pots, long before the invention of plastic. Usually water was heated in the side reservoir of a coal stove and then taken to the washroom basins for face washing, shaving, brushing teeth, etc. Each day the chamber pots had to be emptied and cleaned with the pre-used water. Full washstand sets could contain a wide variety of porcelain pieces, but of course many were broken and few complete sets are ever found today. European marble-top washstands were commonly used, but prairie settlers normally had smaller and simpler design wooden stands. Even these were rarely preserved in the 20th century when indoor plumbing and running water became common.
The Vault Develops an Advertisement for our Partners
Did you know The Vault Cultural Collective is made up of TWELVE Non-Profit Partners? The Vault is so proud to be a Collective for Not For Profit Arts Organizations in our Community! The Vault Art Team has developed an advertisement that our twelve Vault partners can use in their event programs, event advertising and newsletters that will indicate they are a partner in The Vault Cultural Collective. TOGETHER we are STRONGER!
The Vault Cultural Collective's New Highway Sign
The next time you are driving into Strathmore from the East, look for The Vault Cultural Collective's new highway sign! It is located at the Moore's Greenhouse turnoff. The sign was designed by Christine Foshaug, a Vault Board and Event Team member and constructed and installed by MagnetSigns Strathmore! Special thanks to Vault Art Team member Elaine Wheeler and her husband Scott for allowing installation of the sign on their property!
Strathmore Celebrates 2025 Seniors Week
Strathmore's Seniors Week ran June 2nd to 7th and the 2025 Seniors Week calendar was packed with many great events. The Vault Cultural Collective offered FOUR FREE events! Here's a look back at The Vault's Senior Week activities.
The Vault Presents Ken Stobbe - Keyboard Artist
The Vault Cultural Collective had lots of activities planned for Strathmore’s 2025 Seniors’ Week! On Wednesday June 4th from 2-3 pm, Ken Stobbe entertained the audience on the Patio in front of The Vault with a singalong using his keyboard. It was a beautiful afternoon of weather and music! Thank you Ken for the wonderful music and Thank you Strathmore Now for covering the event!
The Vault Presents Donna Gauthier - Watercolour Artist
On Thursday June 5th Donna Gauthier was Artist in Residence in The Vault Main Gallery from 10 am - 12 noon! Donna is a Vault Artist and a member of The Vault Art Team! Donna demonstrated her skills as a Watercolor Artist and created magic before her visitors eyes! A special thank you to everyone who came to support THE VAULT and Donna!
The Vault Presents Local Historian Shelly McElroy
A great night at The Vault! Thank you to local historian and Vault volunteer Shelly McElroy for her entertaining presentation “Cockshutts With Wings!” It was an informative and insightful look into a fascinating part of Canada’s history! The Vault is looking forward to more presentations with Shelly in the future! Thank you Shelly for a wonderful evening!!
The Vault Presents The Patio Set - A Flute and Piano Trio
What a great night of music at The Vault! A huge thank you to The Patio Set for a wonderful recital of music for flute and piano! So thrilled to see The Vault’s GP3 Digital Grand making beautiful music! What a great ending to Seniors Week at The Vault! Thank you to The Patio Set!!
The Vault Contributes to the 2025 Senior Power Conference
The Vault was well represented at this year's Senior Power Conference! The conference was held Friday May 30th at Hope Community Covenant Church from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, the kick off for Strathmore's 2025 Seniors Week. The majority of the 77 conference attendees registered at The Vault and The Vault was instrumental in planning the noon hour concert featuring Strathmore's The Locals! The Vault was also involved in the conference planning committee, the conference handouts and door prizes. Thank you to everyone who stopped by The Vault's Information Table!
2025 Strathmore Recreation and Culture Needs Assessment Results Released
On Wednesday March 19th, the 2025 Strathmore Recreation and Culture Needs Assessment Final Report was presented to the Town of Strathmore Town Council. The need for a Performing Arts Theatre was rated as Priority #2, followed by the need for Outdoor Public Art at #4, Event Hosting Facilities at #6 and Indoor Public Art at #8. There were also a number of conclusions featured that favoured investing in new Cultural Facilities, improving communication regarding cultural opportunities, clarifying culture's positive benefits through a renewed vision and policy and providing additional Town staffing and funding or fundraising support. The Vault looks forward to Town of Strathmore's action items stemming from the 2025 Strathmore Recreation and Culture Needs Assessment .
The Vault's Featured Art - The Wisdom of the Cree of Canada (1993)
The Alberta Foundation published five Heritage Project Books, from 1975 to 1998. The first being The Spirit of Alberta: An Illustrated Heritage (1978). The next four offer the reader Teachings, Wisdom and History on the Life of First Nations, ranging from the Canadian Rocky Mountains, East to the Hudson Bay and North to the Northwest Territories and Arctic.
These Publications are:
The Wisdom of the Stonies of Alberta (1983)
The Wisdom of the Blackfoot, Bloods and the Peigans of Canada (1988)
The Wisdom of the Cree of Canada (1993)
The Wisdom of the Dene of Canada (19980
The Vault Cultural Collective has been gifted the fourth publication; The Wisdom of the Cree of Canada (1993). Inside this publication you will discover ‘Stories of Cree Teachings’, with each story accompanied by a Colourful Watercolour Illustration by Artist Niitsitaipoyi (Henry StandingAlone) of the Blood Tribe (Blackfoot Nation). Opposite each teaching you will be introduced to a Cree Elder. This publication will remain a permanent fixture in the Lower Gallery of The Vault, located in ‘History Corner’, and will be yours to discover and enjoy during regular business hours, but cannot be removed from The Vault.
The Vault would like to acquire the other four of this series so if any of our readers could help us secure them, we would be extremely grateful.
The Vault Board of Directors, The Vault Art Team & The Western District Historical Society (WDHS)
Remembering Our History …
Carmen Erison - The Vault's Featured August Artist
The Vault Cultural Collective is thrilled to feature Carmen Erison as The Vault's Featured August Artist! Based in Calgary, Carmen's journey began at a fun paint and sip and her career has just taken off! "Whether it's a thrift store or a walk by the river, there's always something new to see. I love turning those inspirations into art."
Congratulations to Carmen Erison, The Vault's Featured August Artist!
NEWS FROM OUR VAULT CULTURAL COLLECTIVE PARTNERS
Arts On 817 Launches Season 8!
Arts on 817 is launching Season 8! Season and Individual Tickets will be available at The Vault and at smoreuc.com in the Fall of 2025. All Concerts will be held at Strathmore United Church. Here's a Sneak Peak!
Arts on 817 will be presenting The Wardens on Saturday October 25th at 7:30 pm! The Wardens don’t just sing about the land, they’re part of it. The Rocky Mountain-based band’s stories and songs rise from the very land they’ve protected as Canadian national park wardens. With haunting three-part harmonies and chilling tales, the band’s mountain music - blending folk, roots and western styles – reflects Canada's protected wilderness areas. Celebrating the return of wild buffalo, wrangling grizzly bears, lonely nights on the packtrail and reflecting on an environment in crisis, a performance by The Wardens has been dubbed “the quintessential mountain-culture concert experience."
Following the 2021 release of their third full-length album Sold Out at the Ironwood, band member Ray Schmidt was nominated Traditional Singer of the Year by the Canadian Folk Music Awards. The band has also received numerous regional nominations including 2022 Touring Artist of the Year by the BC Touring Council and Album of the Year by Country Music Alberta.
"The Wardens have an enviable live reputation...and are able to bring a modern take on a timeless musical tradition." - Martin Johnson:AmericanaUK 2022
Arts on 817 will present "Christmas with The Travelling Mabels" on Friday November 28th at 7:30 pm. The Travelling Mabels can hardly contain their excitement as they prepare to enchant audiences with their special Christmas Show! The show will feature two original songs, "Grandma's Kitchen" and "Follow That Star," alongside their heartfelt interpretations of timeless Christmas classics. You can expect to hear their renditions of "Operator" (originally by Manhattan Transfer), "Light Of The Stable" (inspired by Emmylou Harris), "Let It Snow," and a delightful tribute to Vince Guaraldi with their "A Charlie Brown Christmas" medley, which includes "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "O Tannenbaum," "Skating," and the beloved "Linus and Lucy."
Arts on 817 will present ONCUE on Saturday March 7th at 7:30 pm. ONCUE is an a cappella ensemble featuring smooth harmonies and creative arrangements, blended into a unique brand of top-notch entertainment. Their diverse and versatile repertoire has won them many awards and a strong reputation throughout Western Canada and beyond. ONCUE has released 5 albums to date and performs at dozens of events each year. As a professional ensemble of the Youth Singers of Calgary, ONCUE is a leader in the organization, acting as mentors to younger performers and featuring members of YSC's staff, alumni, and community.
The Season Finale will feature Diana Cohen (violin) and Roman Rabinovich (piano) in Recital on Saturday April 25th at 7:30 pm! Praised for her “incredible flair, maturity and insight,” violinist Diana Cohen, Concertmaster of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, will team up with her husband, Roman Rabinovich, a remarkable pianist, who has performed throughout Europe and the United States in venues such as Wigmore Hall in London, Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Centre in New York, the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory, the Cité de la Musique in Paris, and the Terrace Theatre of Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Together they will perform a program that explores the full range of the human condition, from its darkest lows to the bliss of romantic love, and virtuosity will be in full display, a real treat to end Arts on 817's Season 8!
Arts on 817 Opening Acts Return!
During the Arts on 817 upcoming concert season, each concert will begin at 7 pm with an Opening Act featuring young musicians from Strathmore and area. Arts on 817 is proud to support our talented youth!!
Chestermere Fine Art Guild Upcoming Events
The Chestermere Fine Arts Guild has so many events upcoming! Weekly Art Sessions, Bi-weekly Evening Hosted Art Sessions, Monthly Workshops and an Annual Art Show! So much to look forward to! For more information check out the poster and visit www.chestermereart.ca.
The Chestermere Art Guild would love to see you there!
Strathmore Communities in Bloom Holds Seed & Plant Exchange and Workshop
In these times of increasing food costs, everyone is encouraged to try growing their own food, no matter the size of their outdoor spaces. Join Communities in Bloom and a Master Gardener from the Calgary Horticultural Society for the "Growing Vegetables in Small Spaces' workshop on Saturday, May 3, at 10 - 11:30 am. Following the presentation, trade plants and seeds with fellow gardeners. All indoor and outdoor plants and seeds are welcome; the exchange runs until 3 pm. The event will be held at the Strathmore Municipal Library.
Hope Bridges Society Presents Justine Giles
Hope Bridges is delighted to announce that Justine Giles will perform live at Hope Community Covenant Church on Tuesday, September 9th, 2025, at 1:30 pm as part of our Community Concert Music Series!
Featuring our Music Discovery class with accredited music therapist, Kate Ager. Music Discovery encourages social interaction, connection, and community while making music.
The Music Series is open to the public and FREE TO ATTEND!
The Strathmore Theatre Players' Guild Holds Christmas Carol Auditions
The Strathmore Theatre Players Guild will be holding auditions for their upcoming production A CHRISTMAS CAROL on Thursday June 26th at The Vault Cultural Collective.
Here is a link to the audition form. https://www.strathmoreplayers.ca/auditions.
For more information visit strathmoreplayers.ca/events.
Auditions: There are two group sessions, one starting at 6:30 pm and the next at 7:30 pm. Auditions will consist of reading from the play and character work. No prepared audition piece or British dialects will be required.
Registrants will receive a confirmed start time via email by June 22nd.
Description: Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is set in Dickensian England in 1840, Christmas Eve. The cast is comprised of nine men and nine women.
Important Dates: There will be some flexible dates throughout July and August to collect scripts and talk about character before rehearsals start in September.
Rehearsals will be Mondays and Wednesdays with some Saturdays starting in September 2025.
Performances will be November-December 2025.
Strathmore Performing Arts Festival 2025
Congratulations to all the 2025 Strathmore Performing Arts Festival performers nominated to participate in the Alberta Music Festival Association's 2025 Provincial Music Festival! So many GREAT performances! Congratulations to all the SPAF 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place winners and to Sebastien Curran, Sarah Taylor and Wynn Phung for been nominated to perform in the Canada West Performing Arts Festival July 24 -26 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan!
Do you want to relive the 2025 Strathmore Performing Arts Festival? Why not check out the two videos below or visit strathmorepaf.com for all the latest information regarding the Strathmore Performing Arts Festival 2025 and 2026!
Strathmore Musical Arts Society Presents Over The Moon along with Special Guest Bards from the Bud
On October 4th, the Strathmore Musical Arts Society will be presenting Over the Moon along with Special Guest Bards from the Bud in Concert at the Strathmore Travelodge. Cocktails are at 6 pm, Dinner at 7 pm and Concert at 8 pm.
Tickets are already on sale at strathmorearts.com and The Vault.
Wheatland & Area Hospice Society Update
Rustic Elegance... Stepping up big time this November to celebrate 10 years of caring and compassion. Early Bird tickets are over half sold out... get individual seats or maybe a full table. Silent and live auction, a great meal, lots of fine stories, and a night's entertainment with Drew's full band.
The Wheatland Society of Arts Winter Programs
The Wheatland Society of Arts has released its Spring & Summer Courses, Workshops and Programs Guide and it is available at The Vault! For more information contact programming@wheatlandarts.ca, visit www.wheatlandarts.ca or call 403 934 6665.
Wheatland Quilters Launches Raffle
The Wheatland Quilters' Guild has launched their 2025 Quilt Raffle! This year's Quilt Raffle prize will be the beautiful Queen Size Quilt pictured. Proceeds from the Raffle will go towards purchasing fabric, batting and backing for comfort quilts that the Wheatland Quilters' Guild donates to various charities.
Tickets are $2 each or a book of 10 for $20. Tickets can be purchased at The Vault Cultural Collective or by emailng wheatlandquilters@gmail.com. The 2025 Quilt Raffle Draw Date was August 4, 2025
Thank you for your support of the Wheatland Quilters' Guild!
Western District Historical Society's Legacy Farm Sunflower Patch
The Western District Historical Society is once again inviting everyone to visit their Sunflower Field at the Klaiber Legacy Farm on August 29th and September 3rd fro 5 - 8 pm! The farm is located on 1001 East Pine Road. There is lots happening!
Bring your own camera for a photography session.
The Sunflower Harvest Night will be announced soon!
Donate and be eligible to win an original piece of photoart!
Coming Soon at the Youth Theatre Company Strathmore
The Youth Theatre Company has also announced Auditions for Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka for August! For more information visit www.youththeatrecompany.ca!
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge Treaty 7 territory—the traditional and ancestral territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy: Kainai, Piikani and Siksika as well as the Tsuu T’ina Nation and Stoney Nakoda First Nation. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3 within the historical Northwest Métis Homeland.
We acknowledge the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit who have lived in and cared for these lands for generations. We are grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who are still with us today and those who have gone before us.
We make this acknowledgement as an act of reconciliation and gratitude to those whose territory we reside on or are visiting.
Other Information About The Vault
RENTAL SPACE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE VAULT
The Vault Cultural Collective invites other non-profit organizations and the public to consider renting space at The Vault for meetings, demonstrations, small social gatherings or special events.
We are willing to make our open area second floor gallery, the Vault board room, or for that very special event, the whole building, available for short term rental.
Share in the enjoyment of meeting in an historic building and gallery!
Please come visit us to learn more about our space available for rent! To view the space in person and discuss your rental needs, please visit us at the Vault during operating hours.
Gift Certificates Available
The Vault Cultural Collective now has Gift Cards available online and Gift Certificates available at the store! The perfect gift for that special someone!
Donations are Welcome
Are you interested in donating to the Vault Cultural Collective?
PLEASE CONSIDER A DONATION
The VAULT Cultural Collective is a non-profit organization founded in 2021. We exhibit work by Local ARTists and ARTisans and are a Collective for all things Cultural. If you Love ART and the ARTS, please consider a Monetary Donation in your name or in the name of another ART Lover.
If you know someone who enjoys the ARTS, please forward this site.
All donations are Gratefully Accepted.
Donations can be e-transferred to:
thevaultcc2021@gmail.com
or
Visit us at The Vault, you will be glad you did!
The Vault Cultural Collective
136 2nd Avenue
P.O. Box 2163
Strathmore, Alberta, Canada
T1P 1K2
Phone: 403-901-1654
Email: thevaultcc2021@gmail.com
Website: thevaultonline.ca
Vault Memberships Available
The Vault Cultural Collective is now recruiting members! However you are connected to Arts & Culture or Local History in Strathmore and area, we welcome you to join our Collective! For more information or to purchase a membership visit The Vault at 136 2nd Avenue, phone 403 901 1654, email thevaultcc2021@gmail.com or visit thevaultonline.ca. Become a member of The Vault Cultural Collective, there is strength in numbers!
Location
The Vault Cultural Collective
136 2nd Avenue, Strathmore, Alberta T1P 1K2
(Beside Value Drug Mart)
(403) 901-1654
thevaultcc2021@gmail.com
Tuesday - Saturday: 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday - Monday: Closed