Over 60 years ago, near the Rocky Mountain Foothills in Helena, Montana, clay and shale were mixed and molded together to create sturdy, dependable bricks.

[Photo courtesy of June Underwood]

Fired at up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the natural aesthetic beauty of this building material is created through a process of chemical-transforming and vitrification within the kiln. The Western Clay Manufacturing Co. was founded in 1951 by brickmaker, Archie Bray.

Originally the company created thousands of bricks, but by night something even more magnificent was developing.

Rudy Autio and Peter Voulkos were the first resident artists of the bray. By day, they sat at wheels for hours, creating beautiful commercial style products–art that was both practical and functional. However, even Bray intended for his business to become "a place to make available for all who are seriously interested in any of the branches of the ceramic arts, a fine place to work”, and that’s exactly what it advanced into.

[Photo courtesy of Joyce Lovelace]

At night, the ambitious Autio and Voulkos were creating masterpieces the world had never seen before. They treated clay loosely and freely, ultimately creating world renowned masterpieces. The volume and quality of their work drew attention to the new program and attracted many talented and ambitious potters from around the globe. And thus, the Archie Bray as we know it was born.

Helena’s marvelous pottery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its dynamic arts community created has been molded and developed by the international resident artists that come to the Bray to work, share experiences, and explore new ideas.

Since its development, the Bray has pulled in over 600 ceramic artists from around the world, including famous ceramists as Tre Arenz, Val Cushing, John and Andrea Gill and Wayne Higby.

The Bray has had many significant accomplishments over the years. In 2008 seven energy-efficient kilns were installed as part of a Comprehensive Kiln Project. This reduced costs to artists and dramatically increased the range of work that can be created.

[Photo courtesy of Janine]

Further, the Bray’s 60th anniversary celebration in 2011 featured a three-day artist symposium that raised more than a half-million dollars and brought artists from across the seas together.

This wonderful establishment enhances educational opportunities to meet the needs of today’s ceramic artists. It continues to benefit and enrich Helena and communities all over the world by encouraging creative growth, professional relationships, personal friendships and building a creative climate to inspire the development and enjoyment of the arts.