At The Bray, we believe that Black Lives Matter. We stand in solidarity with Black, Indigenous and communities of color and all oppressed and marginalized peoples. We understand that statements of solidarity must be accompanied with action.
In 2020 The Black Lives Matter movement illuminated the intolerable violence, inequities and injustices aimed at the Black community in the United States. At The Bray, we are taking an honest look at ourselves as individuals and as an organization. The Bray has been a place for artists to work in a safe space of equity and respect once they are on campus, but we recognize that we can and must do a better job of representing the diverse range of makers, artists, craftspeople, designers and thinkers who make up our residents, staff, board, students, volunteers, supporters and creative partners.
Looking back at our history, The Bray has supported artists from different cultures, races, genders and sexual orientations. However, many groups, particularly the Black community, have been severely underrepresented. This lack of full representation and societal exclusion is a problem at The Bray, a problem in the ceramic arts field, and a systemic issue in our country that needs to be addressed. We can do better. The Bray is committed to actively improving the conditions in the ceramics community and working to be anti-racist in every facet of what we do.
The Bray Board of Directors and Staff are currently engaged in long-term strategic planning to change the present and future of the organization. Collectively, we have made a commitment to prioritize diversity at The Bray in all aspects of the organization.
We acknowledge the many ways in which organizations perpetuate structural racism and oppressive systems. We humbly acknowledge our mistakes, and we commit to continually learn from them in order to grow as an organization on this journey toward liberation. We understand that statements of solidarity must be accompanied with action. While we have much work to do in these areas, and it will not happen overnight, we are identifying our shortcomings and are committed to enact real long-term change. We invite all of you to be in conversation with us at The Bray and value your ongoing feedback and suggestions on how The Bray and the field of ceramics can strive and thrive together to be an inclusive, inviting and actively anti-racist community. Improvements in diversity at The Bray are long overdue and we will keep you updated with transparency as we create and implement concrete and inclusive strategies. It is with full commitment that we are working to shape and nurture long-term systemic change within our field.
Over the past 9 years we have fully engaged in building the infrastructure and public access to our programs through facilities improvements that have included a new education facility, administrative offices and a new sales gallery. We would be remiss to have dedicated so much time, energy and investment into The Bray and not make it available to ALL who are seriously and sincerely interested in the ceramic arts. Together we stand with Black Lives Matter and for an equitable present and future in our community.
Join the Conversation
We invite all of you to be in conversation with us at The Bray and value your ongoing feedback and suggestions on how The Bray and the field of ceramics can strive and thrive together to be an inclusive, inviting and actively anti-racist community. If you are willing, please share your thoughts with us at feedback@archiebray.org.
