• Skip to main content
Bray Gallery
Bray Clay
Search
Close
The Bray Logo
  • About
  • Shop
    • Bray Gallery
    • Bray Clay Business
  • Residencies
    • Apply
    • Long-Term Residencies
    • Summer Residencies
    • Visiting Artists
    • Writers Residencies
    • Past Residents
    • Resident FAQ
    • Studio Facilities
  • Education
    • Artist Amplified Series
    • Adult Continuing Education Classes
    • Educational Fellowship
    • First Fire; Indigenous Pit Firing Site and Programming
    • Engagement Programming
    • Experience Classes
    • The Bray Incubator
    • Our Teachers
    • Educator Professional Development
    • Seminars and Workshops
    • Podcast Network
  • Events & Exhibitions
    • Events
    • Exhibitions
  • Visit
    • Grounds & Location
    • Virtual Tour
    • Accessibility
    • Contact
  • Join & Give
    • Become a Member
    • Ways to Support The Bray
    • Bray Business Alliance
  • Archives
    • Newsletters
    • Catalogs
Bray Gallery
Bray Clay
Search
Close
The Bray Logo
  • About
  • Shop
    • Bray Gallery
    • Bray Clay Business
  • Residencies
    • Apply
    • Long-Term Residencies
    • Summer Residencies
    • Visiting Artists
    • Writers Residencies
    • Past Residents
    • Resident FAQ
    • Studio Facilities
  • Education
    • Artist Amplified Series
    • Adult Continuing Education Classes
    • Educational Fellowship
    • First Fire; Indigenous Pit Firing Site and Programming
    • Engagement Programming
    • Experience Classes
    • The Bray Incubator
    • Our Teachers
    • Educator Professional Development
    • Seminars and Workshops
    • Podcast Network
  • Events & Exhibitions
    • Events
    • Exhibitions
  • Visit
    • Grounds & Location
    • Virtual Tour
    • Accessibility
    • Contact
  • Join & Give
    • Become a Member
    • Ways to Support The Bray
    • Bray Business Alliance
  • Archives
    • Newsletters
    • Catalogs
B-Icon-Wheel-Aqua

RESIDENT ARTIST APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

The Bray is preparing for the next round of Resident Artists, and you have the chance to be one! Apply today for a Summer or Long-Term Residency!

Learn More and Apply Today
B-Icon-Plant-Green@2x

residency program

B-Icon-CupStack-Red@2x

Online sales gallery

B-Icon-stool-Aqua@2x

Browse Classes

B-Icon-wire-Maroon@2x

Bray Clay Supplies

B-Icon-Brick-Gold@2x

Ways to Support

B-Icon-PodcastNetwork@2x

Brickyard Podcast Network

B-Icon-Kiln-Green@2x

Become a member

B-Icon-Sun-Gold@2x

join our team

Residents Edited

residencies at the bray

Volunteers needed graphic 2

Volunteer with The Bray

ArchieBrayEducation-178

Register for a class

Upcoming Events

View the events calendar.

Resident Artist Fellowship Exhibition

September 4 @ 8:00 am - December 14 @ 5:00 pm
Learn More

Kolva-Sullivan Exhibition

October 3 @ 5:00 pm - October 31 @ 9:00 pm
Kolva Sullivan Gallery
Learn More

The Bray Holiday Show Opening

November 13 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Archie Bray Foundation
Learn More

Closed for Thanksgiving

November 27 @ 8:00 am - November 28 @ 5:00 pm
Learn More

Announcements

  • B-Icon-stool-Gold

    employment opportunities

    Please visit our employment opportunities page to view our open positions.

  • B-Icon-PodcastNetwork@2x

    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. 

BKGND-BullseyeStacks-GoldTan copy 3@2x

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

archie_bray

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

We are two weeks away from the annual Holiday Show We are two weeks away from the annual Holiday Show! ❄️

Stop by The Bray on November 13, at 6:00 pm, to shop for artwork from current and former Bray artists to find the perfect one-of-a-kind gift for anyone on your list: maybe a handmade mug, a comforting soup bowl, that perfect vase, ceramic jewelry, unique ornaments, sculptures, and more! 🎁

The sale will last into December, with select pieces available online, beginning November 21. 🌿

Artwork by current long-term resident Marian Draper (@mariandraperceramics)

 #thebray #archiebrayfoundation #archiebraygallery #archiebrayclay #archiebray #archiebrayeducation #ceramics #ceramicarts #fineart #helena #helenamt #visithelena #montana #montanamoment #holidayshopping #holidayshow
The colors and imagery captured in a piece by Lexu The colors and imagery captured in a piece by Lexus Giles are truly breathtaking. From start to finish, there is attention to every detail. ✨

@lexus.giles #archiebrayfoundation #archiebray #thebray #archiebrayeducation #archiebraygallery #archiebrayclay #ceramics #ceramicarts #fineart #helena #helenamt #visithelena #montana #montanamoment
Hello! My name is Carey Nathanson and I’m a seco Hello! My name is Carey Nathanson and I’m a second-year long-term resident artist here at The Bray. We were asked to do a “takeover” this fall so here it is! I just wanted to do a big photo dump of a few of the things I’ve been working on since I’ve been in Helena. Send me a message if you’re curious about any of the images or want to know more about anything: @head.road.puddles
Summer might be gone, but there are plenty of brig Summer might be gone, but there are plenty of bright colors in Jake's studio to make up for it! Check out the pieces he dips in slip to make unique designs and shades!☀️

@jake.brodsky #archiebray #archiebrayfoundation #thebray #archiebraygallery #archiebrayclay #archiebrayeducation #ceramics #ceramicarts #fineart #helena #helenamt #visithelena #montana
Looking for a piece of art that matches your vibe? Looking for a piece of art that matches your vibe?✨

Stop by the Bray Gallery and explore the selection today!⚡️

#archiebraygallery #archiebray #archiebrayfoundation #thebray #archiebrayeducation #archiebrayclay #ceramics #ceramicarts #fineart #helena #helenamt #visithelena #montana #montanamoment
Over the years, my practice has moved between pott Over the years, my practice has moved between pottery, sculpture, and painting. Rather than choosing one focus, I've chosen the material itself — clay — with all its endless possibilities. 

A little about my work...

The great forces of nature are the catalyst for my artistic dialogue. The natural world has a kindness and understanding that makes it an excellent entity to extract creative ideas from. My work discusses difficult lessons and stories through the personification of the natural world. The essence of my artistic dialogue involves engagement with the inherent characteristics of my materials and experimentation with color and form. I leave space in my work for chance, be it through impurities or revelations, because it's important to me that my objects and paintings develop their own source of power and confidence. I don't seek to be in complete control, as I view my work as a friend who has something to say.
Hello Archie Bray Community! My name is Dante Gamb Hello Archie Bray Community! My name is Dante Gambardella @dantegambardella), and I'm honored to be a long-term resident here at the Archie Bray Foundation.

I grew up in the Bay Area and moved to Bozeman, MT where I began to pursue my career as a ceramic artist at Montana State University. From the very start, I knew I wanted to travel and learn how ceramics have been practiced for thousands of years. What I didn't expect was the generosity and warmth of the global ceramic community.

I'm endlessly grateful for the friendships, mentorships, and shared knowledge that have shaped my path. To me, ceramics has always been about connection — clay brings people together. Now more than ever, I believe its tactility and communal spirit carry deep significance.

Image 1: Me with my piece "Tree with the Magical Fruit"
Image 2: Furuki wrangling a venomous snake from under the gas kiln in Mashiko, Japan
Image 3: Unloading the Wood Kiln in Curitiba, Brazil
Image 4: One of my glaze paintings, "Crystal Fall"
On this day in 1951, the Helena Independent Record On this day in 1951, the Helena Independent Record announced the opening of the Archie Bray Foundation. As we approach our 75th anniversary, we want to pause and reflect on where it all began, while continuing to move forward and shape the world of ceramic art. 📰🌟

This was kindly donated to us by Lisa Autio, whose father, Rudy Autio, was our first Resident Artist Director (1951-1956). We are deeply grateful to the Autio Family for saving this wonderful piece of our history and for allowing it to come here to be part of our archives!🧡

@independentrecord @visithelenamontana @helenaareachamberofcommerce  #archiebrayfoundation #thebray #ceramics #ceramicarts #fineart #kiln #helena #helenamt #visithelena #montana #montanamoment #archiebray #archiebrayclay #archiebraygallery #archiebrayeducation #75years
Some more sweet summer memories! Avi Farber kept b Some more sweet summer memories! Avi Farber kept busy in the studio this summer, creating pieces and connecting with other artists.

@avi.farber.studio #archiebrayfoundation #thebray #ceramics #ceramicarts #woodfire #woodfirekiln #fineart #kiln #helena #helenamt #visithelena #montana
Marian Draper's functional ceramics feature intric Marian Draper's functional ceramics feature intricate florals and nature-inspired themes. Working with underglaze on raw clay, she uses transfer techniques to bring her delicate designs to life. 🌿🌸

@mariandraperceramics #archiebrayfoundation #thebray #ceramics #ceramicarts #fineart #kiln #helena #helenamt #visithelena #montana #montanamoment
Recent summer resident Spencer Cheek brought plent Recent summer resident Spencer Cheek brought plenty of smiles (and incredible sculptures) to The Bray! He made the most of his time here, and we’re excited to see where his creative journey takes him next!

@specialchestnut #archiebrayfoundation #thebray #ceramics #ceramicarts #fineart #kiln #helena #helenamt #visithelena #montana
The Bray is excited to have Nancy Mintz as our cur The Bray is excited to have Nancy Mintz as our current Visiting Artist!

Nancy received her BFA from California College of Art, Oakland, and her MFA from Mills College. A former resident at Kala Art Institute in Berkeley, Mintz has developed her practice both as a sculptor and a printmaker. 

We can't wait to see what she creates during her time here. Stop by the artist studios and say hi!
The Bray is going to miss the bright colors and fu The Bray is going to miss the bright colors and fun patterns of recent summer resident Rachel Donner! 

Start your day off right by checking out her artwork from this summer! 

@racheladonner #archiebrayfoundation #thebray #ceramics #ceramicarts #fineart #kiln #helena #helenamt #visithelena #montana #montanamoment
Stop scrolling and enjoy this work by recent summe Stop scrolling and enjoy this work by recent summer resident, Vincent Frimpong!🔥

@sniper_ceramica #archiebrayfoundation #thebray #ceramics #ceramicarts #fineart #kiln #helena #helenamt #visithelena #montana #montanamoment
We're still holding onto summer by reminiscing abo We're still holding onto summer by reminiscing about what our Summer Residents made this year. 

Check out the great work by Emily B. Yang! 

@studioemilybyang #archiebrayfoundation #thebray #ceramics #ceramicarts #fineart #kiln #helena #helenamt #visithelena #montana #montanamoment
One of our favorite places, with some of our favor One of our favorite places, with some of our favorite people! 🧡

@mariandraperceramics 
@head.road.puddles 
@lomelitommy 
@jake.brodsky 
@lexus.giles 
@samuelsarmientostudio 
@dantegambardella 
@jasonlstarin 
@loudmouthghosts 
@_elizaweber
The Bray's Educational Fellowship is an educationa The Bray's Educational Fellowship is an educational program designed to facilitate hands-on learning while providing space and time for emerging ceramic professionals to investigate their career goals and further their artistic practice. 

We are so excited to present exhibitions featuring our alumni from the Educational Fellowship program. Stop by The Pottery, attached to The Bray's Main Gallery, and view the 2025 Educational Fellowship Alumni Exhibition Pt. 2! 

The artists featured are:
E.C. Comstock
Muriel Condon
Allye Grace Grisham
A. Horwath
Amanda Jacquez
Lindsey Pankratz

 #archiebrayfoundation #thebray #ceramicarts #fineart #helena #helenamt #visithelena #montana #montanamoment
The Bray will be closed today for a staff retreat. The Bray will be closed today for a staff retreat. 🌄🌲

Have a great day, and we will see you tomorrow!
We have some exciting new additions to our online We have some exciting new additions to our online gallery! Find the perfect piece for your home today! 🌟

Browse online using the link in our bio!
The annual Resident Artist Fellowship Exhibition s The annual Resident Artist Fellowship Exhibition showcases the work of all 10 current long-term resident artists in the North Gallery at The Bray. Working in a wide variety of techniques, these artists present a rich and dynamic range of creative expression. 

Join us for the Opening Reception on Thursday, September 4, at 6 pm, to experience the innovation and talent of this year’s fellowship recipients!🌟

Artists Featured: 
Kim Tucker @loudmouthghosts 
Jake Brodsky @jake.brodsky 
Eliza Weber @_elizaweber 
Marian Draper @mariandraperceramics 
Lexus Giles @lexus.giles 
Samuel Sarmiento @samuelsarmientostudio 
Carey Nathanson @head.road.puddles 
Thomas Lomeli @lomelitommy 
Jason Lee Starin @jasonlstarin 
Dante Gambardella @dantegambardella
Follow on Instagram
arrow icon

Join The Bray
Mailing List:

Subscribe
Archie Bray Footer Logo

Contact, Visit + Hours

2915 Country Club Avenue
Helena MT. 59602
Map + Directions

Phone: (406) 443-3502
Fax: (406) 443-0934
  • Visit + Hours
  • Grounds & Location
  • Accessibility
  • Contact

Follow

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

About The Bray + Our Values

  • About, Mission, History
  • Strategic Plan
  • Helena Community
  • Native Lands Acknowledgement
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Black Lives Matter Statement
  • Non-Discrimination Policy
  • Code of Professional Conduct
  • Staff
  • Board of Directors
  • Employment Opportunities

Bray Foundation Resources

  • Residencies
  • Events Calendar
  • Ways to Support The Bray
  • Volunteer
  • Bray Business Alliance
  • Become a Member

All content is © 2025 The Bray All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Tax ID Number 81-028-4022 (GuideStar) | Form 990
The Bray is a 501(c)(3) exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code and all contributions to the Bray are deductible to the full extent allowed by law. For more information contact the Bray Development Office.