Smeltzer House Visual Arts Centre

Reminiscent of early settler days, this historic site is now home to the Smeltzer House Visual Arts Centre.

A brief history of Smeltzer House

Smeltzer House is 100! This house that now graces one of Sherwood Park’s mature neighbourhoods was built for Maurice Smeltzer and his family back in 1920. Across the road and to the east of their homestead, the house was home to three generations of the Smeltzer family until it was sold in 1974. Strathcona County purchased the house and three-acre parcel in 1976. The smaller garage was built at about the same time as the house; the larger garage was built in the mid-1950s.

Learn more:

• More history on the family and their house
• Strathcona County’s history and heritage

Arts and culture programs

The Smeltzer House Visual Arts Centre offers a variety of courses for all ages involving pottery, drawing, glass fusing, and various arts and crafts. For youth and adults, pottery classes are offered in the Clay Hut and glass fusing classes in Studio One. The pottery studio has been operating out of the Clay Hut for over 25 years.

Arts and culture programs: Visual arts programs at Smeltzer House

Book the gazebo

The gazebo is located in the grounds of historic Smeltzer House in a beautiful and intimate botanical garden setting. The gazebo can be booked for events from the first week in May through to September 30, and is available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. County programs use the garden and take place year-round, primarily during school holidays. Public access to the site is not restricted during gazebo bookings.

There is no power or washroom access at the site.

The site is suitable for: 

• Events with fewer than 80 people (max. chair allowance is 80)
• Short ceremonies 
• Photo sessions

Please note due to the nature of the site, it is not suitable for:

• Large or private events 
• Events involving food, drink or alcohol
• Events that require large pieces of equipment to be brought onsite 

Further information or booking availability:

• 780-467-2211
• facility.bookings@strathcona.ca