Archie Bray Foundation Long Term Residency
The Archie Bray Foundation is actively committed to promoting, celebrating, and sustaining the ceramic arts through the residency program, education, gallery, ceramic materials and technology, and community engagement on a local, national, and international scale. In the words of Archie himself, The Bray makes available, “for all who are seriously and sincerely interested in any of the branches of the ceramic arts, a fine place to work”.
Through summer and long-term studio experiences, The Bray Resident Artist Program offers an unprecedented opportunity to work within a community of global artists actively creating new work. At The Bray, artists from around the world with a vast range of experiences and diverse aesthetic approaches, cultures and perspectives come together.
Residents of The Bray have the opportunity to be in a community with other makers to share discoveries, frustrations and triumphs, and work together over an extended period of time. Studio experiences at The Bray are as varied and unique as the individuals involved.
The Resident Program establishes life-long friendships and connections that open new paths, develop careers, and change lives.
2915 Country Club Ave.
Helena , MT 59602
United States
Residency Program Information
Residency Program Summary
Application Information
- 20 digital images of your recent work submitted as .jpgs
including title of piece, year made, materials and
dimensions. Your image files should be sized no
larger than 1800 x 1800 pixels at 72 dpi (approximately
6” x 6” at 300 dpi) - Letter of intent
- Artist statement
- Résumé/CV
- Contact information of three references who can speak
to your qualifications as a potential resident.
Please do not send letters of reference.
Residents are responsible for their own travel, housing and living expenses.
- There is no on-site housing for long-term or short-term residents and residents are expected to make their own travel and living arrangements.
- Affordable housing can be difficult to find in Helena; please reach out to us if you need assistance:
Apartments rent for $750 and up
Rooms in private homes start at about $450. - Most residents find it necessary to have a car.
- Residents are responsible for the cost of all materials and firing at The Bray and organizing additional assistance.
- Costs for firings are kept as low as possible, and are dependent on the kiln size and firing temperature.
- Fees range from $4 for a small electric test kiln to up to $500 for a six-day anagama wood kiln firing.
- Materials can be purchased at the Bray's Clay Business at discounted prices.
- Residents are responsible for hiring assistants to move larger works, build crates and other tasks related to specific on-site needs.
Accessibility
The majority of The Bray exhibition spaces and public buildings are accessible to wheelchair users. Please be aware that grounds do have uneven surfaces, gravel and brick paths and the historical buildings are not fully accessible.
Receptions held in the Sales Gallery, Warehouse Gallery and North Gallery are wheelchair accessible. Accessible parking for the Sales Gallery and North Gallery is located in front of the Sales Gallery. The Warehouse Gallery has accessible parking on the east side of the building.
Events take place in or near the David and Ann Shaner Resident Artist Studio Complex. This building is fully accessible, and accessible parking is located on the south side of the studio.
Classes and workshops take place in the Education and Research Facility which is fully accessible with parking located at the west side of the building.
Seated events such as the artist talks and the live auction have flexible seating to accommodate wheelchairs and companion seating when needed.
Seating is provided in galleries.
The grounds do have uneven surfaces, gravel and brick paths and the historical buildings are not fully accessible.
Housing & Accomodation
Studio & Facilities
Ten resident studios in the Shaner Studio Building are provided for year-round, long-term resident artists. Each studio is approximately 256 square feet with ample shelving.
- 5 open-door studio options for accessibility and movement of larger works.
- 5 closed-door studio options provide privacy.
- Studios are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis with consideration to accessibility, privacy and access needs.
KILNS
There are a variety of kilns at The Bray located in our indoor kiln facilities and outdoors:
- 6 gas kilns of varying size and purpose, including 2 computer automated Blaauw kilns, one 110 cu. ft Bailey sculpture kiln, 2 smaller Bailey kilns and one Geil kiln.
- 2 wood kilns
- 12 electric kilns
- 2 soda kilns
- 1 salt kiln
To learn more about our kilns, pricing and firing guidelines, please contact Bray Clay.
WHEELS
There are a limited number of wheels for resident artist use on a first come first serve basis.
GLAZE LAB
A fully ventilated 130 square foot workspace, stocked, organized and replenished on a regular basis. Any additional glaze materials are available at our onsite clay business.
PLASTER LAB
A fully ventilated 182 square foot workspace dedicated to plaster to limit contamination of clay material.
PHOTO LAB
A 396 square foot workspace dedicated to documenting artwork including a large grayscale photo booth and additional lighting equipment.
SPRAY BOOTH
A 110 square foot workspace which includes a diamond lapidary wheel and a silicon carbide belt sander.
WOOD AND METAL SHOP
A 400 square foot indoor/outdoor workspace with woodworking and metal fabrication equipment including a table saw, chop saw, band saw, belt sander, tig welder and metal chop saw. This equipment is available to residents and visiting artists with the consent of The Bray’s facilities and studio manager.
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE ONSITE:
- Slab rollers
- Pug mill
- Ball mill
- Extruders
- Grinders
- Sandblaster
- Compressed air throughout the Shaner Studio building
A 1100 square foot communal space including a kitchen and meeting room; it is situated between the Shaner Studio building and the Summer Studio with an outdoor courtyard connecting all buildings.
THE RESIDENT CENTER FACILITIES INCLUDE:
- 2 Ranges
- 2 Refrigerators
- 2 Sinks
- Dishwasher
- Dishes and cutlery
- Gas grill
- Electric smoker
- Large meeting table with chairs
- Projection screen
- Pool table
- Restrooms
Located in the Frances Senska Center for Education and Engagement the Fab Lab includes a CNC router, 3-D scanner, 3-D printers (2) and a clay printer. This equipment is available to residents and visiting artists with the consent of The Bray’s facilities and studio manager.
The John C. Board Research Library is a 690-square-foot area located upstairs in the Education and Research Facility and houses a truly unique collection of clay and art-related books, magazines, and catalogs. Discover our John C. Board Research Library.
NEW MEDIA ROOM
Located in the John C. Board Research Library this workspace includes a 3-D scanner, podcasting station and other audio recording equipment.
The Bray operates a retail ceramic supply business where residents may purchase clay, tools and other materials at a discount.