Join us for a class at The Bray!
Whether you’re a total beginner or looking to inspire your existing studio practice – The Bray offers Adult (16+) continuing education classes for all ages, abilities, and backgrounds! Our Continuing Education Classes are 10 weeks long and meet for 3 hours once a week! Students are taught by professional artists and have access to open studio time 7 days a week from 8am-10pm (outside of other scheduled classes) to practice what they're learning.
We offer 2 sessions annually, Spring and Fall. General registration typically opens 6 weeks prior to the start of classes, with early member registration opening a week before general registration. Become a member today to receive access to early registration!
DISCOVER BELOW:
- Upcoming session information
- Our current class offerings
- Frequently asked questions
- Our current classroom policies, details on experience levels, and our online classroom calendar!
Upcoming Session Information
For questions, email our Education Coordinator at education@archiebray.org
Fall Session 2026 Continuing Education Classes
Keep Calm and Wheel On
Saturdays 10am-1pm, September 12th – November 14th
Instructor: Caroline Roberts
Discover the fundamentals of pottery in this beginner-friendly wheel throwing class with Bray long-term resident, Caroline Roberts. Learn essential techniques, from wedging and centering to pulling and glazing. Perfect for novices, this hands-on course guides you from a lump of clay to your own finished, functional ceramic artwork. Discover more about Caroline here.
*A minimum of 6 is required to run this class
Level: Beginner
Cost: $395
Please see FAQ section at bottom of page to see what's included with your registration fees.
Give It a Spin: Beginner Wheel (Back by Popular Demand!)
Mondays 6-9pm, September 14th – November 16th
Instructor: Marian Draper
Get acquainted with the potter's wheel this fall with long-term Bray resident Marian Draper. In this beginner-friendly course, you’ll explore the foundational skills of wheel throwing, including centering, pulling, trimming, and glazing. Whether you are touching clay for the first time, eager to be reintroduced, or hoping to refine established skills, this is the class for you! Learn more about Marian here.
*A minimum of 6 is required to run this class
Level: Beginner- Advanced
Cost: $395
Please see FAQ section at bottom of page to see what's included with your registration fees.
Stacked and Rooted; Ceramic Sculptures for the Garden
Tuesday 6-9pm, Septeber 15th – November 17th
Instructor: Kaitlin Smrcina
Enhance and refine your sculpting skills while creating works sure to transform your garden space! In this intermediate handbuilding class, long-term Bray resident, Kailtin Smrcina, will introduce design and building strategies resulting in two complementing outdoor works: a medium‑sized garden sculpture and another modular, stackable piece composed of multiple smaller elements. You’ll practice additive adornment and layered applique methods to elevate your works while exploring weather‑ready surfaces and handbuilding techniques meant for durability. Investigate creative approaches to size and form while crafting unique ceramic works designed for your backyard's landscape.
An ideal class for those comfortable with basic clay skills looking to expand into ambitious sculptural work and explore how ceramics can transform garden and outdoor spaces. Discover more about Kaitlin here.
*A minimum of 6 is required to run this class
Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Cost: $395
Please see FAQ section at bottom of page to see what's included with your registration fees.
Beyond the Classroom
Wednesdays 9:30am- 12:30pm, September 16th – November 18th
Instructor: Anvil Williamson
Develop your clay knowledge beyond the classroom by exploring the technical and material processes involved in a ceramic studio practice with Bray staff member, Anvil Williamson. Take a deep dive into material science, glaze mixing, and studio systems including waste reduction and efficiency through reclamation and plaster tools, loading and programming electric kilns, and more!
Anvil will provide weekly 30-minute lectures with supporting resources and lab projects, along with individualized assistance and technical demonstrations as needed, with an emphasis on hand-building.
Intermediate experience suggested but all levels are welcome. Perfect for makers curious about starting or elevating their own individual practice outside the classroom. Learn more about Anvil here.
*A minimum of 6 is required to run this class
Level: Intermediate suggested, all levels welcome!
Cost: $395
Please see FAQ section at bottom of page to see what's included with your registration fees.
Ceramics and Print
Wednesdays 6-9pm, September 16th – November 18th
Instructor: Nathan Anthony
Explore and experiment with the relationship between printmaking and ceramics! Ceramics and Print will introduce a number of print processes also used to transfer imagery and create texture onto clay surfaces. Alongside long-term Bray resident, Nathan Anthony, you’ll learn techniques including relief, screen, mono, and intaglio adjacent printing methods on simplistic hand-built forms. Whether you're new to form and surface decoration or looking to expand your creative toolkit, this beginner to intermediate level class offers a unique opportunity to explore the possibilities of print on clay. Discover more about Nathan here.
*A minimum of 6 is required to run this class
Level: Beginner - Intermediate
Cost: $425 ($395 + $30 Lab Fee for materials)
Please see FAQ section at bottom of page to see what's included with your registration fees.
You Might Also Be Interested In:
Mid-Range Soda; Atmospheric Firing Seminar
Class Meets: 2-5 pm October 3rd, 10th, 17th, & 24th
Kiln Loading/Firing: October 17th
Kiln Unloading: October 24th
Instructor: Eliza Weber
Join Bray resident alum Eliza Weber for a four-week, hands on seminar exploring cone 6 soda firing. Through a curated slideshow, discussions, and guided kiln experience, you’ll gain an in depth introduction to this specialty firing technique while firing your own work! Begin by acquainting yourself with artists working with this firing process and glazing your works. In the following weeks, prepare and load a cross-draft soda kiln, participate in the firing, and conclude the course by unloading and reviewing the results together.
Students will bring finished bisqueware suited for cone 6 firing, and will have access to class glazes and slips within the seminar. Discover more about Eliza here.
*Some ceramics experience recommended. Plan to get anywhere from 1 medium sized sculptural piece to 10-20 functional pieces in the firing depending on group works and class size. With plenty of variables to consider, your instructor will be there to help navigate space realities in an equitable manner.
Before signing up, please note that to enroll in this seminar-style class it is necessary to:
- Be available for each class session.
- Understand there is no studio time/making time as a part of this class.
- Understand this class is intended for students who are enrolled in another Continuing Education class or have studio access elsewhere.
*A minimum of 6 is required to run this class
Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Cost: $175
Experience Levels
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Beginner
My experience in clay is limited or long ago, and I'm not very comfortable working independently. I'm seeking to learn basic clay techniques and am excited to have a good time while learning something new!
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Intermediate
My understanding of clay basics is strong but I still have lot of questions. Having taken multiple classes before, I feel comfortable working independently but I'm ready to expand my knowledge and advance my skills!
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Advanced
My clay knowledge is expansive! I have taken classes while exploring clay independently for years. At this stage, I am looking to challenge myself with new perspectives, insights, and understandings in clay!
FAQ
Yes. We do not offer any drop-in or studio rental options.
The Bray's Education and Research program offers unique educational opportunities for many student types through a variety of class formats. Continuing Education Classes are one component of our extensive programming.
We are not intended to function as a maker space or collective studio. However, Helena is home to a wonderful collective clay studio space The Clay Arts Guild, and we encourage you to check them out online or call to see if they're a good fit for you!
Included in your registration fee are:
- 30 hours instructional time
- 25 pounds of clay (clay type TBD by instructor)
- All class firings (additional, individual or group firings can be purchased)
- Studio access for the duration of the class
- Personal studio shelf for works in progress, clay, etc.
- Locker for personal items, tools, etc.
- Access to the John C. Board Research Library, including check-out rights
Classes are subject to Lab Fees when applicable. Any lab fees will be listed with class listing, and will cover class materials that are not otherwise supplied.
Registration costs are calculated by factoring in:
- Competitive Instructor Pay
- we aim to increase instructor pay annually to begin to address the significant cost of living increase our instructors face
- Cost of Materials
- clay, glazes, & other studio supplies
- Cost of Energy Usage for Firings
- gas & electric
- Use and Maintenance of Space & Equipment
- wheels, kilns, etc.
- Processing Labor
- loading kilns, mixing glazes, etc.
- Administrative Labor
- coordinating & developing classes, updating website, registration, etc.
Curious to see how we compare to other arts organizations offering educational classes to the public? Discover More Here!
Instructors plan curriculum and a class schedule for the full 8 week session so we encourage you to attend as many classes as possible. With that said, we understand that 'life happens' and you will not be penalized for missing any classes.
However, it is up to students to connect with classmates to go over what was missed and we encourage you to inform your instructor ahead of time of any planned absences.
We do not pro-rate classes.
Enrolled (registered) students will receive an email a week prior to class notifying them of any tools or special items they should bring to class.
In general, we attempt to keep additional student purchases to a minimum and provide most supplies free of charge. If your class requires more than a basic pottery tool kit, we will include a "lab fee" (listed clearly in the class description) and provide the tools and supplies needed.
See our "Experience Levels" breakdown section on this page
Classroom Calendar
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Current Students
Use our online classroom calendar to see the most up-to-date classroom schedule. Select the month by using the tabs at the bottom of the spread sheet.
PLEASE NOTE: When viewing the calendar, if you leave your browsing session open, make sure to refresh your page to view the most recent version of the calendar. Classes are added as they develop, so refresh often!
See what classes are happening before making a trip!
Policies
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Please read prior to taking a class with us
Click "Full Text" below to find information relevant to our Continuing Education Classes, and Facility Policies.
We appreciate you taking the time to better understand our policies. Please read prior to taking a class with us - we aim to keep it short and sweet so as not to waste your time!
Get the full text
