Join us at Mt Ascension Brewing Co for a very special Artist Amplified event in conjunction with this years Greater Helena Gives campaign! Hear from our three first year resident artists, Sarah Alsaied, Austin Coudriet, and Laura Dirksen as they share and discuss what they’ve been working on in their studios, their aspirations, and what adventures they took getting here. Grab a beer, support the arts, help celebrate and raise awareness for nonprofits like ours to make our Helena community as special as it is!

Our Artist Amplified lecture and demonstration series allows artists and art enthusiasts to share their history, process, and conceptual motivations with the public through various presentation formats. We can’t wait to discover what Sarah, Austin, and Laura have to share!

In Person:
       Mt Ascension Brewing Co
       317 Cruse Ave
       Helena, MT 59601

Join Us Virtually – Link goes live at time of event (no registration needed)

About the Presenters   

Sarah Alsaied is an artist from Kuwait currently based in Montana, United States. Alsaied earned a BA in Studio Arts with ceramics emphasis at University of Southern Indiana (2018) and an MFA with sculpture emphasis at Wichita State University (2022). In 2021, Alsaied contributed in organizing, co-creating, and co-designing of Juneteenth Parade Float in Wichita, KS, and Reimagined Mascot Puppet for Home Coming Parade for Wichita State University. Recently, she finished a residency at the New Harmony Clay Project Center. Currently, Alsaied is a long-term resident at the Archie Bray Foundation. Outside of the studio, Alsaied is a wanderer that enjoys cooking, sporty activities, fashion, and games.  View Sarah’s Work Here

Austin Coudriet was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 2019 he earned his BFA with a dual emphasis in sculpture and ceramics from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. There he focused on fabricating large ceramic sculptures and expanding his skills in the wood shop. Austin is currently a long term artist in residence at the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts located in Helena, Montana. Here he is able to pursue his passions of teaching, and working as a studio artist. He divides his studio practice between creating design-oriented sculptures, ceramic furniture, and hand-built vessels. View Austin’s Work Here

Laura Dirksen is from Maria Stein, Ohio. She received her BFA from Bowling Green State University specializing in ceramics and painting in 2019. Afterwards she completed a two-year Post Baccalaureate Program at Kent State University. Laura recently received her MFA from Penn State University in Spring 2023, before joining us at the Archie Bray Foundation. View Laura’s Work Here

Thank you to our generous Artist Amplified sponsor, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana

email kposewitz@archiebray.org to learn more about sponsorship opportunities