Archie Bray Foundation (
3
)
Murphy, who, since arriving
last fall, has switched from
white clay to earthenware for
her pottery. “It was a hard tran-
sition, and I definitely made
some ugly pots at first.
.. but I
also got some very thoughtful
criticism and advice from other
residents and visiting artists.
It really helped me to figure
things out.” She’s been inspired
by the camaraderie.
“It’s a great community,”
she says. “People here are all
making really different work,
so you get exposed to a wide
range of knowledge. Right now
the group is pretty amazing.”
Even after their residencies
end, artists are forever part of
the extended Bray family.
Some serve on the board. A
number have put down roots
nearby. Former residents Rich-
ard Notkin, Robert Harrison,
and Christopher Staley have
homes in Helena; Julia Gallo-
way recently settled in Mis-
soula. “They come to our
openings, bring visitors,”
Left: The Bray provides
numerous ways to learn.
Here Patti Warashina,
known for her expres-
sive figures, demonstrates
hand-building and other
fabrication techniques
in a two-day workshop.
Above: The resident
studio complex’s kiln
room accommodates
ceramics small and large,
such as resident Kensuke
Yamada’s sculptures.
