Archie Bray Foundation Summer Residency
Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts (The Bray) was founded at the foothills of the Montana Rockies in 1951 by entrepreneur, brickmaker, and avid arts patron Archie Bray, who intended it to be a place to “make available for all who are seriously interested in the ceramic arts, a fine place to work.” The primary mission is to provide an environment and connection with other serious artists that stimulates creative work in ceramics.
Located on the site of the former Western Clay Manufacturing Company, the 26-acre historic brickyard campus has more than 17 buildings, including a 12,000-square-foot resident artist studio facility, a new education and research facility, multiple sales and exhibition galleries, renovated administrative offices, and a facility for ceramic retail and manufacturing. The property is open to artists, students, gallery visitors, and ceramic supply customers, as well as the general public for classes, gallery visits, retail activity, self-guided tours, and structured group visits.
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 community with other makers to share discoveries, frustrations and triumphs, and work
2915 Country Club Ave
Helena, MT 59602
United States
Residency Program Information
Residency Program Summary
Application Information
When applying please submit the following information:
- 1Preferred residency choices
- 2Résumé/CV
- 3A brief artist's statement
- 4Letter of intent stating your artistic goals and interests in The Bray's residency program
- 5Contact information of 3 people who can speak to your qualifications as a potential resident. List the name, affiliation, phone number, and email address. Reference letters will not be accepted
- 620 digital images of your recent work submitted as jpgs with title of the piece, year made, materials and dimensions
TIP *For good image quality and a fast upload, your image files must be sized around 1800 x 1800 pixels at 72 dpi (approximately 6" x 6" at 300 dpi). Please do not submit images smaller than this requirement.
YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 15, 2023.
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.
- Onsite accommodations are only provided for Invited Visiting Artists in Residence.
- 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.
Many resident artists find it necessary to get a part-time job in Helena to help with their expenses.
There are select part-time opportunities at The Bray, including; teaching continuing education classes, which provide teaching experience; Bray Clay production assistant positions may become available and Bray residents may also put artwork in the Sales Gallery, although sales fluctuate depending on season and collector visitation.
Fellowships for year-long residents and scholarships for short-term summer residents are awarded annually. Visit the Fellowships & Scholarships page to learn about the financial opportunities available.
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.
Large print copies of price lists and artist bios are available in the Sales Gallery.
All
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.
Housing & Accomodation
Studio & Facilities
The Summer Studio is a shared environment featuring ten artist studio spaces for short-term summer resident artists from late May through October, annually.
- The Summer Studio is 3,500 square feet with one 200-square-foot workstation per artist
- Each artist workstation is equipped with a worktable, a 2’ x 3’ x 6’ cart and ample metal shelving
DEDICATED SHARED SPACE & AMENITIES FOR ALL RESIDENTS & VISITING ARTISTS
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.