Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts facts for kids
The Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, often called "The Bray," is a special art center. It is a public, nonprofit organization. This means it's for everyone and doesn't aim to make a profit. It's located near Helena, Montana, in the United States.
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What is The Bray?
The Bray is a famous place for people who love working with clay. It helps artists learn and create amazing ceramic art. It's known all over the world for its programs.
How The Bray Started
The foundation began in 1951. It was started by a man named Archie Bray. He was a brickmaker and loved art. He wanted to create a place where anyone interested in ceramic arts could work. He called it "a fine place to work."
From Brickyard to Art Center
The Bray was built on the land of an old brick factory. This factory was called the Western Clay Manufacturing Company. Archie Bray was a generous person who supported artists. He wanted to give them a space to create.
The Bray's Journey After Archie
Archie Bray passed away in 1953. But his dream lived on! The old brick factory closed in 1960. However, The Bray kept going. In 1984, the foundation bought the old factory buildings. These included the kilns, which are special ovens for firing clay.
Today, the main building is very important. It is listed on the American National Register of Historic Places. It's recognized as the "Western Clay Manufacturing Company."
Artists at The Bray
A very important part of The Bray is its artist residency program. This program lets artists live and work at The Bray for a period of time. They can focus on their art and learn from others.
The First Resident Artists
The very first artists to join in 1951 were Rudy Autio and Peter Voulkos. Their professor, Frances Senska, knew Archie Bray. She encouraged them to use his new clay studio.
To pay for their time, Rudy and Peter worked in the brick factory during the day. In the evenings, they created their own pottery. They even helped build the first studio for the residency program in the summer of 1951.
