Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts

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

The Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts is located near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Helena, Montana, on the grounds of what was once Western Clay Manufacturing Co. Bray, an avid patron of the arts, envisioned an art center and built the Pottery in the spring of 1951, the first step in his dream to "make available for all who are seriously interested in the ceramic arts, a fine

place to work." Rudy Autio and Peter Voulkos were the first resident managers of the Bray. The volume and quality of their work drew attention to the new program and attracted many talented and ambitious potters. A landmark workshop in 1952, with potters Shoji Hamada and Bernard Leach, and philosopher Soetsu Yanagi, had a profound influence on both Autio and Voulkos. Neither had seen clay treated so loosely and freely. It was an approach which changed their whole attitude towards clay. Since its inception, the Bray has drawn more than 200 ceramic artists from around the world to work, including such well-known ceramists as Tre Arenz, Val Cushing, John and Andrea Gill, Wayne Higby, Clary Illian, Jun Kaneko, Eva Kwong, Jim and Nan McKinnell, Ron Meyers, Robert Sperry, Chris Staley, Akio Takamori, and Arnie Zimmerman. Directors Ken Ferguson, David Shaner, and Dave Cornell worked hard at the Bray in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, to establish a sound financial base by selling pots, clay, and ceramic supplies, and by offering classes and workshops. Kurt Weiser's tenure as Resident Director at the Bray from 1977 to 1988 saw an expansion of the clay business with Chip Clawson as manager, and a successful fundraising effort to purchase the brickyard after it closed in 1960. Carol Roorbach became Resident Director in 1989, establishing a permanent endowment. Roorbach also initiated procedures for improved storage and documentation of the extensive and growing Bray permanent collection. Josh DeWeese became Resident Director in 1991, and worked to establish a Resident Artist Scholarship fund which helps residents to enjoy studio space rent-free. In addition, the Bray now offers a growing number of resident artist fellowships which provide annual stipends for juried resident artists, and the Peter Voulkos Fellowship Fund supports an annual visiting artist award to a prominent, world-renowned ceramic artist to work at the Bray. Most notably, the Bray, under DeWeese's leadership, successfully completed a $2.5 million capital campaign to construct a new state-of-the-art resident studio facility, expand endowment and strengthen annual operations. Upon Josh's retirement in 2006, Steven Young Lee was hired as the Resident Artist Director. Rebecca Harvey became Executive Director of The Bray in 2022, and continues the work of upgrading facilities for resident artists and expanding workshop and exhibitions programs.

08/05/2026

Recent Acquisitions: The Bray's Permanent Collection has been extended to September 5! 🌞

Stop by the North Gallery and view the pieces submitted to our permanent collection by recent residents. ❤

Artwork in photo by Sarah Alsaied (left) and Aida Lizalde (right)

08/05/2026

The Brickyard Bash is back, and what a night it was! 🪩

Because of the incredible generosity of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, artists, and roughly 500 attendees, we brought this beloved event back in style. 🔥

The energy, creativity, and community support made it a tremendous success, and we are so deeply grateful.🫶

Please join us in thanking the local businesses that invested in The Bray, our artists, and our community. The next time you need a product or service, consider supporting the businesses that support the arts.✨

Thank you for believing in the power of art, creativity, and community.

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

And a big thank you to for the wonderful photobooth and videos from the night!

Photos from Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts's post

08/04/2026

Our Continuing Education classes are back, and registration is now open!✨

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.

Learn more and register today at https://archiebray.org/education/adult-continuing-education/

08/03/2026

The Brickyard Bash wrapped with dancing, photos, and good company all around! 🎉

So great having the Big Sky Mudflaps back on stage — the crowd never stopped moving. 🎶

Thank you all for an incredible event! 💛

07/31/2026

The 2026 Live Auction was a hit!

Thank you to everyone who came out to support The Bray and bid on one-of-a-kind collabs between former Bray residents!

Our Meloy-Stevenson award went to Michael Sherrill, founder of Mudtools. He was honored for his dedication to The Bray and the global ceramics community.

We were also honored to announce that former Bray resident, Sarah Jaeger, has been nominated for the Montana Governor's Arts Award!

A huge shoutout to our wonderful MCs, Julia Galloway and Josh DeWeese, and our Auctioneer, Hannah Busby!

Again, thank you all for a wonderful auction and your incredible support of The Bray!

07/30/2026

The 2026 Brickyard Bash kicked off with the VIP reception in the Shaner Studios! Mingling with friends and seeing the art from current residents was an incredible start to the evening!🪩

07/23/2026

Visiting Helena for the Brickyard Bash on Saturday? Check out these local hotspots and get to know our city!❤🌄

See you Saturday at The Bray!🪩💐

07/22/2026

Corsages and boutonnieres? A homecoming staple.💐

Our residents and volunteers have been hard at work creating hundreds of these for the Brickyard Bash this Saturday! Pull out your best homecoming dress or suit and get ready for a night of fun at The Bray! 🪩

Don't have tickets yet? We still have some left!🎟

Purchase tickets and register to bid at https://givebutter.com/c/2026BrayBash

07/14/2026

The blacksmith shop on The Bray's campus has stood the test of time — and thanks to Preserve Montana's dedication, it'll continue to stand for years to come. 💪💚🔨

We're so grateful for their hard work stabilizing this historic space! 🙌

This project is supported by a grant from The Foundation for Montana History.

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Location

Helena

Contact the school

Click here to send a message to the school

Telephone

+14064422521

Website

https://linktr.ee/ArchieBray

Address

2915 Country Club Avenue
Helena, MT
59602

Opening Hours

Tuesday	11am - 5pm
Wednesday	11am - 5pm
Thursday	11am - 5am
Friday	11am - 5pm
Saturday	12pm - 4pm