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RESIDENCY APPLICATIONS DUE BY FEB 15

The Bray Resident Artist program offers an unprecedented opportunity to work within a community of global artists actively creating new work.

APPLY TODAY
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apply for residency by feb 15

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join our team

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HOLIDAY SALE

Photo of Raven Halfmoon with her art work Sculptures

Residencies

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About The Bray

Upcoming Events

View the events calendar.

open studio days

February Open Studio Days

February 3 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Learn More
open studio days

February Open Studio Days

February 4 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Learn More
Kristy Moreno

Residency Applications Due

February 15
Learn More

Artist Amplified; Sunshine Cobb & Giselle Hicks

February 16 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Frances Senska Center for Education and Engagement
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Announcements

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    employment opportunities

    The Bray is hiring for several positions, please visit our employment opportunities page to view our open positions.

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    THE BRAY ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    We’re thrilled to announce Rebecca Harvey as the new executive director of The Bray! 

    Download the press release to learn more.

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    OPEN CALL FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINATIONS

    The Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts (The Bray) seeks individuals for consideration to serve on the Board of Directors.

    Please view our Open Call Nominations document for more information about The Bray’s Board member qualifications, responsibilities, financial stewardship and contributions as well as the Nominations form.

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    PODCASTS

    Join us to listen and learn from our groundbreaking clay podcasts on The Bray's own Brickyard Network. Our podcasts can be found on your favorite podcast apps. 

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    DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

    Read our diversity, equity and inclusion statement.

    Learn More
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Diversity and Inclusion at The Bray

The Bray exists to promote excellence and enhance commitment and investment in the ceramic arts while actively working towards increased inclusion, representation, belonging and equity in the ceramics community. See our Strategic Plan to learn more.

The Bray respectfully acknowledges all Indigenous communities — past, present, future — whose land we reside on in what is now known as Helena, Montana, including the Salish, Crow, Bannock, and Blackfeet tribes. See our Native Lands Acknowledgement to learn more.

Get to Know Us

InstagramArchie Bray on Instagram  FacebookArchie Bray on Facebook  YoutubeArchie Bray on Youtube  VimeoArchie Bray on Vimeo

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The Bray exists to promote excellence and enhance commitment and investment in the ceramic arts.

Archie Bray Foundation
Live and work in Montana with a group of global ar Live and work in Montana with a group of global artists! Apply by February 15 to be considered for a 2023 residency at The Bray. Link in bio or visit archiebray.org
A warm welcome to the newest long-term resident ar A warm welcome to the newest long-term resident artist at The Bray, Simphiwe Mbunyuza! @simphiwe_mbunyuza_sculptor 

Simphiwe Mbunyuza (b. 1989; Eastern Cape, South Africa)
creates masterful objects and vessels combining stoneware, leather, fabric and steel. Mbunyuza’s richly textured, confounding ceramic objects are featured traditional African iconography and cultural symbols. Furthermore, to produce his work Mbunyuza uses a coiling technique that has been employed by the Xhosa people
for centuries.Elegant and graphic, Mbunyuza’s forms and colors unify in his extraordinarily distinct ceramic objects.

Long- and short-term residencies are available in 2023! Get your application in by Feb 15 to be considered. Link in bio or visit archiebray.org 

#archiebray #archiebrayresidency #simphiwembunyuza @archie_bray 

#archiebrayfoundation #thebray #archiebrayresident #simphiwembunyuza
Freely experiment @archie_bray — apply today for Freely experiment @archie_bray — apply today for your chance to be a 2023 resident! Link in bio. 
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Repost from @chickensarecuter
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I've made two of these weird roadrunner pots now. They're not exactly practical (to fire or to use), but I'm enjoying the combination of loose and tight elements. If I make something twice, there's probably a reason, right?

#archiebray #archiebrayresidency
Join local area artist, former Long Term Resident Join local area artist, former Long Term Resident Artist, and upcoming Visiting Artist Sarah Jaeger for our new Speaking of Pots series!  Organized and run by Sarah, Speaking of Pots is free and open to the public. Meeting from 2-3pm the last Sunday of the month from January – May* this conversation based series intends to increase knowledge and awareness of handmade pottery. 

“I love to talk about pots with other makers, and with non-makers who just love pots. This series of conversations offers an opportunity to consider any aspect of pots (form, surface, materials, techniques, aesthetics, intention, etc.) and to share ideas, and answer questions. It’s often the case that we get so involved in our process of making, that we don’t step back, and ask, “why?” Or, “what do I want to say?” These conversations can help us look at the bigger picture, learn how to really see the pots we are making, or simply clarify some technical questions we have.
 
To get things started, I will bring a few cups from my own collection, to consider and discuss. Everyone has feelings about cups! We’ll see how the first conversation goes, and decide as a group what the topic of the second will be. We’ll meet upstairs in the education building, right next to the library, so we’ll have an excellent resource at hand. We can make tea, and bring snacks to share…an informal salon at the Bray, and it’s open to anyone!”
 
Where: the Frances Senska Center for Education and Engagement kitchen/lounge, outside the library (2nd floor)

When: Jan 29th, Feb 26th, March 26th, April 30th, May 21* (not held May 28th due to Memorial Day weekend)
Apply TODAY! Resident applications close February Apply TODAY! Resident applications close February 15 to be considered for a 2023 residency. Long-term, summer and short-term residencies are available. 

Pictured is long-term resident and @lillstreet Fellow Megan Thomas. @chickensarecuter As an artist, Megan Thomas seeks to tell stories about how people and animals respond to biological and emotional scarcity. Vessels are inspired by anthropomorphic pottery that appears in the early ceramics records of many cultures. While very old pottery may not divulge all secrets to modern viewers, many of these pots seem to be prayers for bounty or attempts at understanding. She finds interest in how environmental and personal collapse might mirror each other. As cycles of ecological boom and bust manifest themselves in the archaeological records of past cultures, so might the cycles of emotional dearth and plenty manifest themselves in the archaeological record of one human’s soul.

Megan Thomas grew up in Hamilton, Ohio. She studied ceramic sculpture and painting at Bowling Green State University as an undergraduate student and graduated with an MFA in ceramics from Utah State University in 2020. She is an enthusiastic birdwatcher.

#archiebray #residentsatthebray #archiebrayresidency #archiebrayfoundation
FEB 15 is the deadline for 2023 residencies this y FEB 15 is the deadline for 2023 residencies this year! The Bray is actively committed to promoting, celebrating and sustaining the ceramic arts on a local, national and international scale. In the words of Archie himself, The Bray makes available, “for all who are seriously and sincerely interested in any branch of the ceramic arts, a fine place to work.” 

Apply for your chance to work alongside ceramic artists from across the globe TODAY! 

Link in bio or visit archiebray.org
Interested in a Bray residency? Watch this newly r Interested in a Bray residency? Watch this newly released video to get more info on what to expect, facilities, funding and more! Visit the link in bio or www.archiebray.org/residencies/apply 

Apply by Feb 15 to be considered for a 2023 residency!
Give a warm welcome to our newest long-term reside Give a warm welcome to our newest long-term resident artist and Speyer Fellow @janinamyronova 

Janina Myronova (Wroclaw, Poland; Ukraine) creates narrative through figurative forms and composed backdrops. Utilizing a specific and distorted representation of the body, each composition shows a different personality and personal story to collectively reference a graphic novel and arcing story. Imparting her own emotion through linework, Myronova’s works are strategically charged with color to saturate and amplify their individual stories.

Janina Myronova received her MFA from the Department of Ceramic Art at Lviv National Academy of Fine Arts (Lviv, Ukraine) in 2012, an MFA from the Department of Ceramics and Glass at The Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Fine Arts and Design (Wroclaw, Poland) in 2013, and her PhD from the Department of Ceramics and Glass at Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Fine Arts in 2019. Continually developing her work and practice, Myronova has attended numerous residencies including opportunities’ at the New Taipei Yingge Ceramics Museum (New Taipei, Taiwan), Clayarch Gimhae Musem (Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea), Lefebvre and Fils (Paris, France), the Polish Sculpture Centre (Oronsko, Poland), and the International Ceramic Research Center (Guldagergaard, Denmark), International Ceramic Studio (Kecskemet, Hungary), Northern Clay Center (Minneapolis, United States).
Come on out for Open Studios tonight (Friday) 5-7 Come on out for Open Studios tonight (Friday) 5-7 pm and Saturday, 12-2 pm! The resident artist studios are open to the public on the first Friday and Saturday of each month—come see art in progress and chat with our residents!

Interested in being a resident artist? Apply by Feb 15 using the link in our bio. 

#archiebrayresidency 

In the event of inclement weather, we ask that you wait for the next Open Studio event.
Come work alongside a group of rad artists! Apply Come work alongside a group of rad artists! Apply for a 2023 Bray residency by February 15th. Short- and long-term residencies are available. Find more details and apply using the link in our bio. @archie_bray @kristy.moreno
Jason Burnett couldn't be more THRILLED to be retu Jason Burnett couldn't be more THRILLED to be returning back to the Archie Bray Foundation. As a long-term resident from 2019-2021, he was able to experience the intense creative energy happening both at The Bray and within Helena, MT. Burnett's experiences as an artist lead him to multiple craft organizations in a variety of administrative roles. His experiences range from program development, event coordination and creation, fundraising, retail and sales, and more.

So why is he "thrilled"? Overseeing ABF Events and Auctions provides Jason the opportunity to work with many of The Bray's communities, artists and as Archie puts it,"all who are seriously and sincerely interested in any branches of the ceramic arts..." Burnett is looking forward to working alongside The Bray's talented and dedicated staff, promoting and sustaining success through creative collaborations, education and outreach, and many other branches.

This is a new era for The Archie Bray Foundation. The world changed in 2020, and like most organizations, The Bray was forced to change with it. Burnett is looking forward to being a contributing member of The Bray's team, and experiencing the continued success The Bray has as a leader in the field of ceramics.

Welcome Jason! @jasonbburnett
Education and Research at The Bray; Education Assi Education and Research at The Bray; Education Assistantship

Perhaps one of the largest revamps to an existing educational program is our freshly re-designed Education Assistantship, which saw 6 incredible participants arrive in 2022.  @hollyrindge.pottery @sarah.katherine.evans @autumnonopeia @colenanbarbarian @murielcondon and @clay_by_allyson helped usher in the new program by accomplishing some seriously impressive studio goals and assisting with: studio operations, permanent collection research, events, kiln maintenance, data entry, audio/visual improvements, curriculum development, and engagement programming.  We are excited to have @neon.exe @agrishamceramics @marce_clay and @pants.gif join us in 2023 as newly accepted applicants! 

Formerly a summer internship, the Assistantship is now recognized as a formal educational program designed for emerging professionals to expand their studio practice while building operational and nonprofit knowledge.  Participants dedicate 25 hours a month towards designated tasks determined by participant interests and organizational needs, receive a monthly stipend, discounted materials and firings, free 24/7 studio access and space, professional development through 1:1 and group mentorship opportunities and paid teaching opportunities.

For more information on the program, including how to apply, visit our website.  Don't forget to continue following along for more educational programming highlights as we wrap up 2022. 

Support The Bray through a tax-deductible year-end gift before midnight Dec 31! Link in bio.
The global pandemic’s impact was vast, and The B The global pandemic’s impact was vast, and The Bray was no exception with a two year prolonged closure of our Education and Research programming. Resurfacing with a new approach in spring of 2022 we wanted the very first classes offered to show our thanks and honor our Helena Healthcare Community for their tireless efforts throughout the pandemic.

Initially offering 3 free clay classes, we quickly put 7 more classes on the books to meet demand. In total we offered 10 classes to 123 Healthcare workers in the spring, and in the fall we ran another 10 classes serving 139 Healthcare workers with support from the Horn Foundation. The response from participants was heartwarming with many sharing remarks similar to “this was one of the most relaxing two hours of recent memory” and “… just a really nice opportunity to shake it off.  It’s very meditative”. As 2023 rolls in, we look forward to providing more unique opportunities to our incredible Helena community! 

Read a write up of the program in the March 17th issue of the Helena Independent Record, and continue to follow along for more educational programming highlights as we round out the 2022 year. 

Support Bray programs through your year-end tax-deductible gift before midnight, Dec 31st at archiebray.org or through the link in our bio. 

@archie_bray #healthcareappreciation
“The Bray was by far the best residency experien “The Bray was by far the best residency experience I have ever had. It is a huge risk to be an artist, I am so grateful that people donate to residency programs like the Archie Bray.” —Austyn Taylor, @austynaustynaustyn Mendocino, CA Summer Resident 2022
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Make your tax-deductible donation to The Bray by 12/31 at midnight, link in bio
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Apply for a Bray residency by February 15!
#archiebrayresidency #archiebray
Education and Research at The Bray: Engagement Pro Education and Research at The Bray: Engagement Programming

One of the areas we are most excited about in our new approach to Education and Research is the newly developed Engagement Programming.  Designed for two way partnerships with schools, non-profits, and traditionally underserved populations, and offered at minimal to no cost to participating groups.

This year we had the opportunity to work with 413 students from such groups as: Native Connections Youth Camp with Helena Indian Alliance, Shodair Youth Counseling, Girl Scout Troop #3846, Helena School District PEAK students, Powers School District, East Helena High, and Helena Healthcare Workers. We are honored to provide exceptional and innovative educational offerings to such groups and look forward to expanding our reach in 2023!

Continue to follow along for more educational programming highlights through the new year. If you’d like to get your group involved please email education@archiebray.org today.

Support The Bray through your tax-deductible year-end donation at archiebray.org or through the link in our bio.
“Coming into The Bray, I didn't have any expecta “Coming into The Bray, I didn't have any expectations regarding support from other residents, but into my residency, I found that this greatly helped me navigate this space, especially as a young black woman. This, in addition to the financial support and the support from staff made this a safe and welcoming experience for me.” –Maya Beverly, 2021 summer resident, based in New York
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Make your tax-deductible donation to The Bray by 12/31 at midnight, link in bio
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Apply for a Bray residency by February 15!
#archiebrayresidency #archiebray
Education and Research at The Bray; Year in Review Education and Research at The Bray; Year in Review

2022 piloted our new approach towards Education and Research at The Bray.  We launched 8 new, or highly revamped, educational programs and served a staggering 895 participants!  We are proud to offer innovative programming that elevates the ceramic experience for students, educators, artists and the general public. Curious how the numbers break down?  Check out the snapshot below, and follow along over the next few weeks for educational programming highlights of 2022.

Engagement Programming (formerly Outreach) = 413 students served
Education Assistantship = 6 accepted emerging professionals
Educator Professional Development = 62 Educators served
The Bray Incubator = 22 participants
Artist Amplified = 220 unique (non-repeat) audience members
Experience Classes = 21 students
Continuing Education = 80 unique (non-repeat) students
Guided Tours = 71 participants

Visit our website to learn more about our educational offerings and how to get involved!

Support Bray initiatives through your year-end gift at archiebray.org or at the link in our bio.
"The support of organizations and donors allows tw "The support of organizations and donors allows two fundamental things to happen; it gives an artist freedom to grow and develop; and it creates a means by which the community can engage in the art making process. Art opens many doors of communication and is an under-utilized tool in the development of a sense of belonging." —Sharbani Das Gupta, Summer 2021 Bray Resident
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Make your tax-deductible donation to The Bray by 12/31 at midnight, link in bio
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Apply for a Bray residency by February 15!
#archiebrayresidency #archiebray
Due to the forecasted frigid temps of less than -3 Due to the forecasted frigid temps of less than -30°F, The Bray Clay Business and Sales Gallery will be CLOSED Wednesday and Thursday, Dec 21 and 22. The final day to shop in person before the new year is tomorrow, Tuesday, 9-5 at the Clay Business and from 12-4 in the Sales Gallery. 

Online shopping is always an option 24/7 at the links in our bio, orders will begin to be filled Jan 3rd. 

#winterinmontana #brrr
The Bray Clay Business continually supports cerami The Bray Clay Business continually supports ceramic artists from the serious to the curious. Bray Clay stocks Bray Patch and Bray Poxy—supplies you can’t get anywhere else—as well as kilns, wheels and other studio equipment, tools, glaze and underglaze, raw materials, and so much more. The knowledgeable staff at Bray Clay is available to help with any technical questions you may have.

Sales from The Bray Clay Business directly support The Bray programs and residencies. Shop Bray Clay online at archiebrayclay.com or stop by 9-5, Mon-Sat. Closed Dec. 23-Jan 2 for winter break.

Support The Bray initiatives and artist in residency programs directly through your tax-deductible year-end gift before Dec 31! Link in bio.

Image from Theaster Gates Invited Artist Program, featuring artists Gavin Chura and Deshun Peoples. @churapottery @deshunpl
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