WELCOME TO THE VAULT CULTURAL COLLECTIVE
January at The Vault
Happy New Year from The Vault Cultural Collective
HAPPY NEW YEAR from everyone at THE VAULT CULTURAL COLLECTIVE! The Vault would like to thank Strathmore and area for the incredible support the community has shown The Vault this past year as we uplift and support Strathmore and area’s cultural community. The Vault is excited for 2026 and looks forward to continuing to support the ARTS COMMUNITY in Strathmore and area!
"On The Road" with Calgary Sun’s Mike Drew
"On The Road" with Calgary Sun’s Mike Drew comes to Strathmore on Friday, January 23rd at 7 pm. The Vault is excited to have Mike Drew kick off the 2026 Vault Speaker Series in our Upper Gallery!
Photojournalist Mike Drew has been touring the backroads of central and southern Alberta since 1991, taking photographs and writing stories for the Calgary Sun that have been enjoyed and shared by hundreds of thousands of readers. His travels take him out of the city to the wide Alberta skies where the foothills are sparsely treed and the prairie vista takes precedence over just about everything. Whether driving lonesome highways, hiking along coulees, tramping through sagebrush or fly-fishing bright streams, Drew patiently documents this enormous landscape and becomes one with its unique and varied environments. The resulting stories and images are always infused with Mike's characteristic sense of joy, wonder and excitement.
Join us at The Vault for a great evening with photojournalist Mike Drew!
Chasing the Northern Lights to Norway with Alan Dyer
The Vault Cultural Collective is excited to have Alan Dyer present Chasing the Northern Lights to Norway on Friday February 20th, 7 pm, in The Vault Upper Gallery. Alan will take us on a guided tour of one of the most scenic places on Earth — the coast of Norway — to explore the sights of land, sea and sky! Alan has visited Norway frequently in the last few years to chase the Northern Lights on a coastal cruise with the Hurtigruten ferry service, and enjoy the fjords and scenery above the Arctic Circle. Join us on February 20th as we travel to Norway through Alan's presentation!
COMING SOON AT THE VAULT CULTURAL COLLECTIVE
The Vault Cultural Collective Event Team is already planning Vault Speaker Series Events for 2026! Here's what's COMING SOON!
Francine Cunningham (Southern Alberta Arts Liaison, Consultant for the Canada Council of the Arts - author, poet, craftsperson) - Canada Council Presentation - February 6th, 7 pm
Author Reading with Award Winning Indigenous Author Francine Cunningham – March 6th, 7 pm
2026 Strathmore Performing Arts Festival Instrumental Night - March 18th, 5 pm
Francine Cunningham (Southern Alberta Arts Liaison, Consultant for the Canada Council of the Arts - author, poet, craftsperson) - Canada Council Presentation - April 17th, 7 pm
Katy Langenhoven - Jewelry Making Workshop for the Special Women in Your Life - May 2nd, 10 am - 1pm.
Shelly McElroy - The Road to McKnight Boulevard (Including information about Noel Barlow of Barlow Trail Fame) - November 6th, 2026, 7 pm
Spotlight on Three Vault Volunteers
Congratulations to Angela Reeves and Jette Brown, the two DIRECTORS of Strathmore Theatre Players’ Guild’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL! Such a wonderful production! In addition to directing A Christmas Carol, Jette Brown is The Vault’s Secretary and both Jette and Angela Reeves are Vault Volunteers! The Vault is thrilled you share your time volunteer time with Strathmore Theatre Players’ Guild and The Vault Cultural Collective! BRAVO to you both on directing an amazing A Christmas Carol!!
The Vault Cultural Collective was thrilled to do the ticketing for the Strathmore Theatre Players’ Guild A CHRISTMAS CAROL this holiday season! Vault volunteers Rhonda Stockwell and Karen Kirkeby were instrumental in making sure everything went off without a hitch! A very special THANK YOU to Rhonda and Karen for all your efforts on behalf of The Vault and Strathmore Theatre Players’ Guild! A very special THANK YOU as well to RHONDA for being at every performance to insure the ticketing went smoothly!
The Last Vault Speaker Series Event of 2025 - The Astronomy and Cultural Significance of the Longest Night -with Roland Dechesne
A huge thank you to Roland Dechesne on his wonderful Vault Speakers Series talk on the Winter Solstice on Friday December 19th in the Vault’s Upper Gallery. Roland’s talks are always thought provoking and the Winter Solstice did not disappoint! Great questions and discussion! Congratulations Roland!! The Vault is already planning for more inspiring Vault Speaker Series events for 2026!
Christmas Wreath Centrepiece Classes With Yvonne Way
The Vault Cultural Collective offered TWO Christmas Wreath Centerpiece classes with Yvonne Way this Christmas season due to popular demand! Thank you Strathmore and area for your support! And WOW, the Christmas Centerpieces were so beautiful! Christmas creativity was on full display! Thank you to Yvonne Way for her amazing guidance and expertise!
2nd Annual Christmas Carol Sing Along
What a great night at The Vault, The Vault was merry and bright! The 2nd Annual Christmas Carol Sing Along Friday December was so much fun and there was great audience participation! A huge shout out to Brenda le Graff and Friends, the 6 piece band knocked it out of the park! Thank you to everyone who braved the snow and cold, it was a joyful night of Christmas music!
The Vault's Annual Christmas Party
The Vault Cultural Collective held its annual Christmas Party Wednesday December 3rd at Pizza 249! Our amazing volunteers, spouses and Vault life time members celebrated the season together, so much fun!! Thank you to Pizza 249 for their amazing hospitality! From all of us at The Vault, MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The Vault Participates in the SWCC Cookie Walk
What a great day at The Vault! Lots of COOKIE WALK participants and even SANTA stopped by! So much fun! Thank you to the Strathmore Wheatland Chamber of Commerce for organizing such a great family event! The Vault Volunteers were excited to share The Vault with the young and young at heart in the Community!
Make a Christmas Present Jewellery Workshop
Saturday November 22nd was a great morning at The Vault Cultural Collective! What a great turn out for Katy Langenhoven’s Make a Christmas Present Jewelry Workshop! A big thank you to all who took part, we had ages 5 and up! So much fun! We are really looking forward to more Jewelry Workshops with Katy in the future! Stay tuned!
Western District Historical Society Presents “Media & Communications of Old”
The Vault Cultural Collective is EXCITED to announce a new HISTORICAL EXHIBIT entitled “Media & Communications of Old!” The exhibit was curated by Wanda Reinholdt and inspired by items in their family farm history museum called The Hall of Farm located in John and Wanda’s home on the Reinholdt Farm near Hussar, Alberta. The exhibit is open for viewing Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm.
The Town of Strathmore Places 2nd in Participating Mid-Size Communities with a population of 10K -75K in Alberta Culture Days 2025!
INCREDIBLE NEWS! The Town of Strathmore placed 2nd in Participating Mid-Size Communities with a population of 10K -75K in Alberta Culture Days 2025! A huge thank you to all those agencies in Strathmore that offered Cultural events during September and helped showcase Strathmore's vibrant arts, culture and heritage! Thank you to The Vault Cultural Collective, the Strathmore Municipal Library, Wheatland FCSS,
Wheatland Society of Arts, Hope Bridges Society Strathmore & Wheatland County and the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS). Thank you to our AMAZING SPONSORS; Alberta Culture, the Wheatland Wind Project and Elemental Energy! Together we offered an amazing array of events and exhibitions! CONGRATULATIONS to everyone involved in Strathmore's 2025 Alberta Culture Days and THANK YOU to everyone who participated in an event!
Shelly McElroy Presents McKnight: Ace, Warrior, Big Brother
On Friday November 7th, 7 pm, The Vault Speaker Series featured Shelly McElroy presenting McKnight: Ace, Warrior, Big Brother in The Vault Upper Gallery. The audience met the person who gave McKnight Boulevard its name and learned the tender story of this complex young man and his family. This presentation was created with exclusive interviews with the McKnight family and excerpts from a never-before-seen letter from McKnight to his parents. The audience was enthralled can't wait until Shelly McElroy's's book DUNKIRK AND BATTLE OF BRITAIN TOP GUN is released in 2026! Congratulations Shelly, The Vault and all those in attendance are so proud of you!!
Shelly McElroy Featured on CBC Calgary Radio
On Tuesday November 11. Shelly McElroy's research on "Willie McKnight: Ace, Warrior, Big Brother" was featured on CBC Calgary Radio! Congratulation Shelly! The Vault is so excited your research and upcoming book release is being shared with an even wider audience! Your Vault Speaker Series presentation was captivating and we are thrilled your work is getting the recognition it deserves! BRAVO!! The Link to the CBC Calgary interview and story can be found below.
What's New At The Vault Cultural Collective
A huge THANK YOU to Cave & Cathy Starling for their generous donation of a very comfy chair and ottoman for the HISTORY CORNER in The Vault’s Lower Gallery. Drop in for a visit, put your feet up and browse through our collection of historical books, newspapers, artwork and more! Thank you Cave and Cathy Starling, we love our new chair!!
The Vault has a new home for its projector and sound system in the Upper Gallery! No more carrying it up our magnificent staircase! The Vault Event Team is very excited it is in the Upper Gallery! A BIG THANK YOU to The Vault Business Team for this new addition!!
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!
Ed Anderson - The Vault's Featured January Artist
The Vault Cultural Collective is thrilled to feature Ed Anderson as The Vault's Featured January Artist! Don’t miss Ed's Extended 'Out of Africa" Exhibit, showing in The Vault Upper Gallery until March 1st 2026, at which time ‘Out of Africa’ will join a larger body of Ed Anderson’s Art Work for a March 2026 Solo Exhibit in the Strathmore Municipal Library Gallery. Congratulations to Ed Anderson, The Vault's well deserving January Artist of the Month!
Ed Anderson's ‘Out of Africa’ Exhibit Extended Until March 1st 2026
Drawn from personal experience while on African Safari, Ed Anderson offers original African Themed Art as he shares the Majesty of African Wildlife and the Beauty of Scenic African Landscapes. Don’t miss this Extended Exhibit, leaving The Vault Upper Gallery March 1st 2026, at which time ‘Out of Africa’ will join a larger body of Ed Anderson’s Art Work for a March 2026 Solo Exhibit in the Strathmore Municipal Library Gallery. Visit the Upper Gallery as The Vault continues to Celebrate the Continent of Africa!
The Vault Welcome Figurative Artist Emmeline Keeling
Welcome Figurative Artist Emmeline Keeling to The Vault.
In her ART, Emmeline brings Surreal Stylistic Imagery to The Upper Gallery, flowing with a Rich Colour Palette and expressing True Emotion through the Human Form. Experience this Beautiful Exhibit, with a visit to The Vault.
ART in the Heart of Downtown Strathmore AB.
Daniel N Hendricks - The Vault Art Team
NEW!! The Vault Offers Art Books for Research and Enjoyment
The Vault Art Team and The Vault Lower Gallery are proud to offer the Community a small resource of Art Books to include; Art Instruction, Art Reference, Art History and Photography. Please study at your leisure while enjoying the comfort of our beautiful wing chair or lay the resource out, over our large conference room table.
These Resource Books must remain in The Lower Gallery and are available for your use Tuesday to Saturday 10 AM TO 4 PM.
Thank you to Vault Artists Carol Burns and Dan Hendricks and Friend of The Vault Dany Skelling for their generous donations.
NEWS FROM OUR VAULT CULTURAL COLLECTIVE PARTNERS
Arts On 817's Season 8
Arts on 817 has launched Season 8! Season and Individual Tickets are available at The Vault and at smoreuc.com. All Concerts are held at Strathmore United Church.
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 Art Show
Congratulation to the Chestermere Fine Art Guild! The Guild had a wonderful show running at the Strathmore Municipal Library in December featuring artwork created by members of the Chestermere Fine Art Guild! They also held a MEET THE ARTISTS reception from 1 - 3 pm on Saturday December 6th! Congratulations to all the artists showing! It is a wonderful Art Show!!
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! Check out the Guild's December Art Classes in Chestermere and their November & December Art Exhibition at The Strathmore Library. So much to look forward to! For more information visit www.chestermereart.ca. The Chestermere Art Guild would love to see you at any of their upcoming events!
Strathmore Communities in Bloom - Bloom in Strathmore - Grow Your Community
Looking for leadership experience that actually means something? Strathmore Communities in Bloom is recruiting new Board Members—and yes, this fits into a busy professional life.
Communities in Bloom is a national program focused on sustainability, placemaking, and community pride. Locally, we turn those values into real projects and events that make Strathmore more vibrant and livable.
Why this is great for young professionals:
• Governance experience (hello LinkedIn upgrade )
• Project management you can point to
• Networking with engaged community leaders
• A chance to make visible impact—without a huge time drain
The commitment:
• 3–4 evening board meetings per year
• 2–3 community events (usually Saturdays)
• Lead or support 1–2 projects you care about This is a hands-on, idea-welcoming board—your voice matters here.
Interested? DM us or email cibstrathmore (at) gmail.com to learn more.
Hope Bridges Society's Community January Calendar of Events
Music Discovery: Instructor: Kate Ager (Accredited Music Therapist) Time: Weekly, Tuesdays from 11:00am - 12:00pm / 1:15pm - 2:15pm Dates: January 6, 13, 20, 27 Location: Hope Community Covenant Church
Way2Move: Instructor: Courtney Campbell/ Adaptive Sports Instructors Time: Weekly, Thursdays from 1:00pm - 2:00pm Dates: January 8, 15, 22, 29 Location: Strathmore Motor Products Sports Centre
Adaptive Yoga: Instructor: Courtney Campbell (Certified Yoga Instructor) Time: Bi-weekly, Wednesdays from 10:30am - 11:30am Dates: January 14, 28 Location: The Bank Athletic Club
Moving and Grooving: Instructor: Marie-Claire O’Donoghue (CCC, DMT) Time: Bi-weekly, Thursdays from 10:30am - 11:30am Dates: January 8, 22 Location: Hope Community Covenant Church
Make and Mingle: Instructor: Guest Crafters/Artists/Makers Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 10:30am - 12:00pm Location: Hope Community Covenant Church Participants are asked to pre-register for classes by email at coordinator@hopebridges.ca as class sizes will be limited.
The Strathmore Theatre Players' Guild Presents Nana's Naughty Knickers
Congratulations to the Strathmore Theatre Player's Guild on a fantastic "A Christmas Carol" production in December 2025! Sold out shows and rave reviews, BRAVO!
The Strathmore Theatre Player's Guild's next production will be Nana's Naughty Knickers by Katherine DiSavino. Performances will be held March 11th to 28th, 2026 at Hope Community Covenant Church. More details to come!
Strathmore Performing Arts Festival 2026
REGISTRATION for the 2026 Strathmore Performing Arts Festival is now OPEN and CLOSES February 1st.
SPONSORSHIP opportunities are currently available!
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 Matt Blais
The Strathmore Musical Arts Society will be presenting Matt Blais on Saturday February 28th at the Strathmore Travel Lodge.
Cocktails are at 6 pm, Dinner at 7 pm and the Show at 8 pm.
Tickets are $60 and at available at The Vault and strathmorearts.com.
The Wheatland & Area Hospice Society is starting 2026 with a Valentine Vintage Wine Raffle Fundraiser, and we welcome your support!
Tickets ($100/each) are available at wheatlandhospice.ca.
FIRST Prize: 6 bottles of Opus One (1997)
SECOND Prize: 4 bottles of Brunello Di Montalcino (2018)
THIRD Prize: 2 bottles of Brunello Di Montalcino (2018)
The Wheatland Society of Arts Winter Programs
The Wheatland Society of Arts has released its Winter Courses, Workshops and Programs Guide for January, February and March 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 hosted their community fall pumpkin harvest on Thursday October 9th (just ahead of the snowy weather that moved in on the weekend). In addition to the pumpkins, the last of our sunflowers were cut as well. The winner of the door prize photo donated by Dan Hendricks was Zoe Conti. All in all, 2025 was a very successful year for our project. Hope to see you all again next year! 🎃 🌻 🎃🌻
Strathmore's Youth Theatre Company Willy Wonka Tickets Now On Sale
Golden tickets have arrived! YOUTH THEATRE COMPANY'S WILLY WONKA hits the stage this JANUARY 2026 and tickets are officially on sale. Our cast of sweet-spirited performers (ages 8 to 70!) has been stirring up a world of pure imagination, and we can’t wait to share it with Strathmore.
Secure your seats now for performances on Jan 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 & Feb 1, 2026 at youththeatrecompany.ca before the Wonka gates close and the chocolate river carries them away.
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