I have a friend who is travelling overseas for work and he was up in New
overseas for work and he was up in New
overseas for work and he was up in New Zealand and he decided to hit a little
Zealand and he decided to hit a little
Zealand and he decided to hit a little bit of time to kill so he went to the
bit of time to kill so he went to the
bit of time to kill so he went to the local Art Museum when he went there one
local Art Museum when he went there one
local Art Museum when he went there one of the staff members asked where he’s
of the staff members asked where he’s
of the staff members asked where he’s from and he said that he was from Helena
from and he said that he was from Helena
from and he said that he was from Helena Montana and the first thing they said
Montana and the first thing they said
Montana and the first thing they said was oh that’s where the Archaea very
was oh that’s where the Archaea very
was oh that’s where the Archaea very foundation for the ceramic arts is now a
foundation for the ceramic arts is now a
foundation for the ceramic arts is now a lot of Montanans know about the brave
lot of Montanans know about the brave
lot of Montanans know about the brave but still there are a huge percentage of
but still there are a huge percentage of
but still there are a huge percentage of people who still think it’s a hippie
people who still think it’s a hippie
people who still think it’s a hippie commune on the edge of town which based
commune on the edge of town which based
commune on the edge of town which based on photos from the 70s to be fair it’s
on photos from the 70s to be fair it’s
on photos from the 70s to be fair it’s kind of partially true and I’ve heard
kind of partially true and I’ve heard
kind of partially true and I’ve heard different versions of that story where
different versions of that story where
different versions of that story where people have been around the world and
people have been around the world and
people have been around the world and you know it the interesting thing is
you know it the interesting thing is
you know it the interesting thing is that a lot of people around the world
that a lot of people around the world
that a lot of people around the world know about Montana because of ceramic
know about Montana because of ceramic
know about Montana because of ceramic arts so I’m here to tell you the story
arts so I’m here to tell you the story
arts so I’m here to tell you the story about how 65 years ago a revolution in
about how 65 years ago a revolution in
about how 65 years ago a revolution in clay would happen here in Montana and
clay would happen here in Montana and
clay would happen here in Montana and turned the state into an internationally
turned the state into an internationally
turned the state into an internationally recognized destination for ceramic
recognized destination for ceramic
recognized destination for ceramic artists it’s also the story of how a few
artists it’s also the story of how a few
artists it’s also the story of how a few individuals initiate a change in the
individuals initiate a change in the
individuals initiate a change in the community that would have a lasting
community that would have a lasting
community that would have a lasting influence for many years to come
influence for many years to come
influence for many years to come now first off what is ceramic art what
now first off what is ceramic art what
now first off what is ceramic art what am I even talking about a lot of people
am I even talking about a lot of people
am I even talking about a lot of people might think about ancient pottery other
might think about ancient pottery other
might think about ancient pottery other people might imagine in their head some
people might imagine in their head some
people might imagine in their head some sort of fine china or blue and white
sort of fine china or blue and white
sort of fine china or blue and white export ware but then let’s just get this
export ware but then let’s just get this
export ware but then let’s just get this out of the way because a lot of people
out of the way because a lot of people
out of the way because a lot of people honestly think about this
now almost all of these things would be
now almost all of these things would be considered ceramics
considered ceramics
considered ceramics however contemporary ceramics takes many
however contemporary ceramics takes many
however contemporary ceramics takes many different forms
different forms
different forms some of them might appear more
some of them might appear more
some of them might appear more traditional others might appear more
traditional others might appear more
traditional others might appear more architectural some might seem more
architectural some might seem more
architectural some might seem more figurative political cultural and then
figurative political cultural and then
figurative political cultural and then also sometimes just seemingly impossible
also sometimes just seemingly impossible
also sometimes just seemingly impossible but the story of clay in Montana really
but the story of clay in Montana really
but the story of clay in Montana really begins with one individual and that is
begins with one individual and that is
begins with one individual and that is our Chi braids Archie was a local Helena
our Chi braids Archie was a local Helena
our Chi braids Archie was a local Helena brick maker who in the first half of the
brick maker who in the first half of the
brick maker who in the first half of the 20th century owned and operated one of
20th century owned and operated one of
20th century owned and operated one of the largest brick and tile manufacturers
the largest brick and tile manufacturers
the largest brick and tile manufacturers in the Northwest here’s a shot of the
in the Northwest here’s a shot of the
in the Northwest here’s a shot of the Brickyard at its height
Brickyard at its height
Brickyard at its height now despite Archie’s appearance he was a
now despite Archie’s appearance he was a
now despite Archie’s appearance he was a tough businessman but despite his dusty
tough businessman but despite his dusty
tough businessman but despite his dusty workmanlike appearance he harbored a
workmanlike appearance he harbored a
workmanlike appearance he harbored a deep love for the Arts he made many
deep love for the Arts he made many
deep love for the Arts he made many efforts to bring to the arts into his
efforts to bring to the arts into his
efforts to bring to the arts into his hometown of Helena but it really was his
hometown of Helena but it really was his
hometown of Helena but it really was his dream to start a foundation for the
dream to start a foundation for the
dream to start a foundation for the ceramic arts that would be his most
ceramic arts that would be his most
ceramic arts that would be his most lasting legacy now he wasn’t alone in
lasting legacy now he wasn’t alone in
lasting legacy now he wasn’t alone in crafting this dream he had the help of
crafting this dream he had the help of
crafting this dream he had the help of friends most notably Peter Malloy who is
friends most notably Peter Malloy who is
friends most notably Peter Malloy who is a prominent attorney later District
a prominent attorney later District
a prominent attorney later District Judge and also just happened to make
Judge and also just happened to make
Judge and also just happened to make pottery in a spare time and Branson
pottery in a spare time and Branson
pottery in a spare time and Branson Stevenson who’s an oil executive from
Stevenson who’s an oil executive from
Stevenson who’s an oil executive from Great Falls who also was an artist the
Great Falls who also was an artist the
Great Falls who also was an artist the three of them had many conversations
three of them had many conversations
three of them had many conversations about this dream that they had in a 1951
about this dream that they had in a 1951
about this dream that they had in a 1951 they set in motion their plans to build
they set in motion their plans to build
they set in motion their plans to build a ceramic studio on the grounds of the
a ceramic studio on the grounds of the
a ceramic studio on the grounds of the Brickyard they called this studio of the
Brickyard they called this studio of the
Brickyard they called this studio of the pottery because back in that time
pottery because back in that time
pottery because back in that time pottery was really what defines ceramic
pottery was really what defines ceramic
pottery was really what defines ceramic art as a whole unknowingly though they
art as a whole unknowingly though they
art as a whole unknowingly though they would really begin with the studio and
would really begin with the studio and
would really begin with the studio and the foundation the first artist in
the foundation the first artist in
the foundation the first artist in residence program dedicated to ceramic
residence program dedicated to ceramic
residence program dedicated to ceramic art in the United States the mission was
art in the United States the mission was
art in the United States the mission was fairly simple to make available to all
fairly simple to make available to all
fairly simple to make available to all those seriously and sincerely interested
those seriously and sincerely interested
those seriously and sincerely interested in any branch of the ceramic arts a fine
in any branch of the ceramic arts a fine
in any branch of the ceramic arts a fine place to work it was really kind of a if
place to work it was really kind of a if
place to work it was really kind of a if you build it they will come type of
you build it they will come type of
you build it they will come type of vision but what happened next and who
vision but what happened next and who
vision but what happened next and who came next really becomes maybe the most
came next really becomes maybe the most
came next really becomes maybe the most crucial part of this story to graduates
crucial part of this story to graduates
crucial part of this story to graduates what was then Montana State College down
what was then Montana State College down
what was then Montana State College down in Bozeman heard about this pottery so
in Bozeman heard about this pottery so
in Bozeman heard about this pottery so they drove up to Helena to meet Archie
they drove up to Helena to meet Archie
they drove up to Helena to meet Archie Peter Volquez on the left and a Rudy
Peter Volquez on the left and a Rudy
Peter Volquez on the left and a Rudy audio on the right Volquez was from
audio on the right Volquez was from
audio on the right Volquez was from Bozeman Audio was from Butte they became
Bozeman Audio was from Butte they became
Bozeman Audio was from Butte they became the first two
the first two
the first two artists to work at this new pottery they
artists to work at this new pottery they
artists to work at this new pottery they would work in the Brickyard during the
would work in the Brickyard during the
would work in the Brickyard during the days laborers and then at night they
days laborers and then at night they
days laborers and then at night they would explore their own ideas and it was
would explore their own ideas and it was
would explore their own ideas and it was this freedom that was given to these two
this freedom that was given to these two
this freedom that was given to these two young artists that enabled them to
young artists that enabled them to
young artists that enabled them to explore different avenues in their work
explore different avenues in their work
explore different avenues in their work and in turn challenge themselves and
and in turn challenge themselves and
and in turn challenge themselves and traditions in ceramic art though pottery
traditions in ceramic art though pottery
traditions in ceramic art though pottery was the norm in ceramic art in the u.s.
was the norm in ceramic art in the u.s.
was the norm in ceramic art in the u.s. everything was really about to change
everything was really about to change
everything was really about to change audio would go on to teach at the
audio would go on to teach at the
audio would go on to teach at the University of Montana and he would
University of Montana and he would
University of Montana and he would become known as the Matisse of ceramics
become known as the Matisse of ceramics
become known as the Matisse of ceramics for his brightly colored figures and
for his brightly colored figures and
for his brightly colored figures and horses using the vessel as a
horses using the vessel as a
horses using the vessel as a 3-dimensional canvas Volquez on the
3-dimensional canvas Volquez on the
3-dimensional canvas Volquez on the other hand would end up in Berkeley
other hand would end up in Berkeley
other hand would end up in Berkeley California where he really began an
California where he really began an
California where he really began an artistic revolution slashing and tearing
artistic revolution slashing and tearing
artistic revolution slashing and tearing the clay and ushering in an era of
the clay and ushering in an era of
the clay and ushering in an era of abstract expressionist ceramics and this
abstract expressionist ceramics and this
abstract expressionist ceramics and this would really change the landscape of
would really change the landscape of
would really change the landscape of contemporary ceramics in the United
contemporary ceramics in the United
contemporary ceramics in the United States forever now together the two of
States forever now together the two of
States forever now together the two of them would really help to cross this
them would really help to cross this
them would really help to cross this divide between traditional craft into
divide between traditional craft into
divide between traditional craft into contemporary fine art and whether this
contemporary fine art and whether this
contemporary fine art and whether this immediate impact was foreseen by arching
immediate impact was foreseen by arching
immediate impact was foreseen by arching his friends probably unrealistic but
his friends probably unrealistic but
his friends probably unrealistic but really it was quite an auspicious
really it was quite an auspicious
really it was quite an auspicious beginning to the foundation in the
beginning to the foundation in the
beginning to the foundation in the beginning of much more to come now let’s
beginning of much more to come now let’s
beginning of much more to come now let’s fast-forward 65 years so here’s a image
fast-forward 65 years so here’s a image
fast-forward 65 years so here’s a image of the pottery the brickyard has long
of the pottery the brickyard has long
of the pottery the brickyard has long since closed its doors but the
since closed its doors but the
since closed its doors but the foundation continues to thrive to this
foundation continues to thrive to this
foundation continues to thrive to this day guided by the original mission of
day guided by the original mission of
day guided by the original mission of providing freedom and time and space to
providing freedom and time and space to
providing freedom and time and space to work to create a fine place to work
work to create a fine place to work
work to create a fine place to work the Brae has certainly expanded since
the Brae has certainly expanded since
the Brae has certainly expanded since its inception where it started with two
its inception where it started with two
its inception where it started with two resident artists now we currently have
resident artists now we currently have
resident artists now we currently have 10 long-term artists that stay and work
10 long-term artists that stay and work
10 long-term artists that stay and work for up to a year or more and then we
for up to a year or more and then we
for up to a year or more and then we bring about 10 to 15 more who come in
bring about 10 to 15 more who come in
bring about 10 to 15 more who come in from the spring summer and fall since
from the spring summer and fall since
from the spring summer and fall since 1951 there have been 675 resident
1951 there have been 675 resident
1951 there have been 675 resident artists that have worked at the Brae
artists that have worked at the Brae
artists that have worked at the Brae they’ve come from 46 of the 50 states in
they’ve come from 46 of the 50 states in
they’ve come from 46 of the 50 states in over 20 countries around the world we
over 20 countries around the world we
over 20 countries around the world we get about 200 applications and it’s
get about 200 applications and it’s
get about 200 applications and it’s about an eight to ten percent acceptance
about an eight to ten percent acceptance
about an eight to ten percent acceptance rate which is on par with a lot of Ivy
rate which is on par with a lot of Ivy
rate which is on par with a lot of Ivy League schools and now why is this need
League schools and now why is this need
League schools and now why is this need grown most of it is because new
grown most of it is because new
grown most of it is because new generations of artists have benefited
generations of artists have benefited
generations of artists have benefited from the breakthroughs a focus on audio
from the breakthroughs a focus on audio
from the breakthroughs a focus on audio and are looking for new boundaries to
and are looking for new boundaries to
and are looking for new boundaries to break of their own the artists who come
break of their own the artists who come
break of their own the artists who come to the brayer the future change makers
to the brayer the future change makers
to the brayer the future change makers of our field they go on to exhibit their
of our field they go on to exhibit their
of our field they go on to exhibit their work worldwide and many of them become
work worldwide and many of them become
work worldwide and many of them become educators at colleges and universities
educators at colleges and universities
educators at colleges and universities the country of those 675 resident
the country of those 675 resident
the country of those 675 resident artists there are currently 60 that have
artists there are currently 60 that have
artists there are currently 60 that have decided to stay and make Montana their
decided to stay and make Montana their
decided to stay and make Montana their permanent home
permanent home
permanent home about half of them live in Helena and
about half of them live in Helena and
about half of them live in Helena and here are some examples of artists that
here are some examples of artists that
here are some examples of artists that have are working full-time here and then
have are working full-time here and then
have are working full-time here and then the other half have really kind of moved
the other half have really kind of moved
the other half have really kind of moved in in different cities around the state
in in different cities around the state
in in different cities around the state they’ve decided this day to be connected
they’ve decided this day to be connected
they’ve decided this day to be connected to the inspiring landscape and the
to the inspiring landscape and the
to the inspiring landscape and the generous and inspiring community in the
generous and inspiring community in the
generous and inspiring community in the arts here they in turn contribute to the
arts here they in turn contribute to the
arts here they in turn contribute to the artistic and social well-being of the
artistic and social well-being of the
artistic and social well-being of the communities that they live in and the
communities that they live in and the
communities that they live in and the financial impact is something to take
financial impact is something to take
financial impact is something to take note of in 2013 an economic Nick pack
note of in 2013 an economic Nick pack
note of in 2013 an economic Nick pack study that was done at the Archie Berrie
study that was done at the Archie Berrie
study that was done at the Archie Berrie Foundation showed that the brave
Foundation showed that the brave
Foundation showed that the brave plus these artists that have moved to
plus these artists that have moved to
plus these artists that have moved to the state account for a 2.8 to 4.1
the state account for a 2.8 to 4.1
the state account for a 2.8 to 4.1 million dollar impact on the state’s
million dollar impact on the state’s
million dollar impact on the state’s economy in addition to the residency
economy in addition to the residency
economy in addition to the residency program the reach of the break stands
program the reach of the break stands
program the reach of the break stands beyond the state through a variety of
beyond the state through a variety of
beyond the state through a variety of other programs last year the gallery
other programs last year the gallery
other programs last year the gallery recorded over 6,000 visitors and our
recorded over 6,000 visitors and our
recorded over 6,000 visitors and our online sales gallery ships all over the
online sales gallery ships all over the
online sales gallery ships all over the world the clay business aside from
world the clay business aside from
world the clay business aside from providing support for the resident
providing support for the resident
providing support for the resident artists manufactures and sells clay
artists manufactures and sells clay
artists manufactures and sells clay materials and tools to hundreds of
materials and tools to hundreds of
materials and tools to hundreds of artisan schools in the education program
artisan schools in the education program
artisan schools in the education program community classes are taught by the
community classes are taught by the
community classes are taught by the resident artists and we have over 200
resident artists and we have over 200
resident artists and we have over 200 adults and about 60 kids passing through
adults and about 60 kids passing through
adults and about 60 kids passing through the classroom each year we also hold
the classroom each year we also hold
the classroom each year we also hold intensive workshops where we bring
intensive workshops where we bring
intensive workshops where we bring artists from around the country to teach
artists from around the country to teach
artists from around the country to teach intensive courses from one day to two
intensive courses from one day to two
intensive courses from one day to two weeks these workshops bring in another
weeks these workshops bring in another
weeks these workshops bring in another hundred and fifty adult students about
hundred and fifty adult students about
hundred and fifty adult students about half of which come from out of the state
half of which come from out of the state
half of which come from out of the state many students are drawn by the quality
many students are drawn by the quality
many students are drawn by the quality of the instruction but then they’re also
of the instruction but then they’re also
of the instruction but then they’re also wanted they also want to experience the
wanted they also want to experience the
wanted they also want to experience the history of the brave firsthand now a
history of the brave firsthand now a
history of the brave firsthand now a result that perhaps Archie might not
result that perhaps Archie might not
result that perhaps Archie might not even have thought about was that this
even have thought about was that this
even have thought about was that this need to provide time and space has just
need to provide time and space has just
need to provide time and space has just grown so there have been new
grown so there have been new
grown so there have been new organizations that have popped up around
organizations that have popped up around
organizations that have popped up around the state that have helped to fill the
the state that have helped to fill the
the state that have helped to fill the need Red Lodge Clay Center and the clay
need Red Lodge Clay Center and the clay
need Red Lodge Clay Center and the clay studio Missoula offer educational studio
studio Missoula offer educational studio
studio Missoula offer educational studio and exhibition opportunities in addition
and exhibition opportunities in addition
and exhibition opportunities in addition a number of community centers all around
a number of community centers all around
a number of community centers all around the state currently offer community
the state currently offer community
the state currently offer community classes in ceramics locally we have free
classes in ceramics locally we have free
classes in ceramics locally we have free ceramics we have clay art skilled in
ceramics we have clay art skilled in
ceramics we have clay art skilled in Helena but the need just continues to
Helena but the need just continues to
Helena but the need just continues to grow University programs are also
grow University programs are also
grow University programs are also thriving led by many artists who have
thriving led by many artists who have
thriving led by many artists who have worked at the Brae they’re leading
worked at the Brae they’re leading
worked at the Brae they’re leading artists in their field and they attract
artists in their field and they attract
artists in their field and they attract a lot of talented students from outside
a lot of talented students from outside
a lot of talented students from outside the state to come for graduate and
the state to come for graduate and
the state to come for graduate and graduate degrees now with this growth
graduate degrees now with this growth
graduate degrees now with this growth further efforts to continue to take hold
further efforts to continue to take hold
further efforts to continue to take hold to cultivate the community in 2010 a
to cultivate the community in 2010 a
to cultivate the community in 2010 a collective known as Montana clay
collective known as Montana clay
collective known as Montana clay established was established to create a
established was established to create a
established was established to create a gathering of all these ceramic artists
gathering of all these ceramic artists
gathering of all these ceramic artists that live in the state that would travel
that live in the state that would travel
that live in the state that would travel to different cities around around
to different cities around around
to different cities around around Montana they would share ideas be able
Montana they would share ideas be able
Montana they would share ideas be able to share thoughts and you know just be
to share thoughts and you know just be
to share thoughts and you know just be together and be able to be with people
together and be able to be with people
together and be able to be with people who are invested in ceramics in Montana
who are invested in ceramics in Montana
who are invested in ceramics in Montana it has since grown into a website and
it has since grown into a website and
it has since grown into a website and traveling exhibitions and right now has
traveling exhibitions and right now has
traveling exhibitions and right now has grown to a little over a hundred members
grown to a little over a hundred members
grown to a little over a hundred members additionally last year in Helena the
additionally last year in Helena the
additionally last year in Helena the first Montana clay tour was established
first Montana clay tour was established
first Montana clay tour was established this sale in late July was is organized
this sale in late July was is organized
this sale in late July was is organized by professional artists that live in
by professional artists that live in
by professional artists that live in Helena they invite other people from
Helena they invite other people from
Helena they invite other people from around the state to exhibit work in
around the state to exhibit work in
around the state to exhibit work in their studios that they open up to the
their studios that they open up to the
their studios that they open up to the public in its inaugural year hundreds of
public in its inaugural year hundreds of
public in its inaugural year hundreds of people came from all over outside the
people came from all over outside the
people came from all over outside the state within the state and people had a
state within the state and people had a
state within the state and people had a chance to meet the artist in person and
chance to meet the artist in person and
chance to meet the artist in person and purchase work so you can see what
purchase work so you can see what
purchase work so you can see what started as a simple vision is really had
started as a simple vision is really had
started as a simple vision is really had a lasting impact in the state of Montana
a lasting impact in the state of Montana
a lasting impact in the state of Montana through the generosity and the hard work
through the generosity and the hard work
through the generosity and the hard work of this community the Brahe and so many
of this community the Brahe and so many
of this community the Brahe and so many artists around montana are continuing to
artists around montana are continuing to
artists around montana are continuing to thrive thanks to Archie and the
thrive thanks to Archie and the
thrive thanks to Archie and the dedication of many artists volunteers
dedication of many artists volunteers
dedication of many artists volunteers supporters staff past directors that
supporters staff past directors that
supporters staff past directors that growth and impact of the clay community
growth and impact of the clay community
growth and impact of the clay community carries on so the next time someone asks
carries on so the next time someone asks
carries on so the next time someone asks you where you’re from you can tell them
you where you’re from you can tell them
you where you’re from you can tell them you’re from Montana home of Grizzlies
you’re from Montana home of Grizzlies
you’re from Montana home of Grizzlies Bobcats and ceramic artists thank you
”
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