Sponsor | Annual Bray Auction Launches with 3 Outstanding Collaborative Works

Join us as we celebrate this major milestone for the Archie Bray Foundation during their 65th Anniversary Bray Benefit Auction. Now in its 20th year, the annual benefit includes work by more than 120 artists who have contributed to the Live, Silent and Cup Auctions.

Above Image: Alessandro Gallo & Beth Cavener Collaboration, We Are Not Who We Seem, 2016, ceramic, 21 x 16 x 8.5 inches

“I always look forward to the Archie Bray’s gala for two reasons,” said cfile.daily’s Chief Editor Garth Clark. “One reason is that the quality of work is always so high, those artists who love the Bray are generous. The second reason is that much of the excitement in the art for sale has arrived in part because of the Bray itself. The Foundation is an exceptional incubator for talent and the time spent at their sprawling brickworks campus in Helena, Montana is often a critical moment of epiphany for its resident artists. This is one of the ceramic world’s national treasures but it will only survive with your support. I will be bidding. Hope you will, too.”

The Archie Bray Foundation’s Brickyard Bash celebration began in 1984 to celebrate the purchase of the Bray family brickyard and to thank the community for their support. Under the direction of Kurt Weiser, the acquisition of 25 acres allowed for new studios, improvement to the clay business facilities and, according to Weiser, opportunities for the residents to stretch out and do things they never did before.

As a unique feature of this year’s auction, Bray Director Steven Young Lee invited 6 artists to pair up and collaborate on unique works made specifically for the event. Among the three collaborations is a standout piece by Beth Cavener and Alessandro Gallo, exploring identity that unites Gallo’s iconic figures and Cavener’s powerful anthropomorphized characters. Additionally, Sam Chung and Kurt Weiser as well as Steven Young Lee and Beth Lo are presenting outstanding collaborative pieces.

The Live Auction is currently on display in the North Gallery and bidding on the Cup and Silent Auctions began on Thursday, June 16, in the Warehouse Gallery. All auction proceeds benefit the Archie Bray Foundation’s international artist-in-residence program, which supports artists by offering rent-free studios, subsidized material and firing costs, as well as direct funding through fellowships and stipends.

“These wonderful works have been made by some of the most renowned artists in the field as well as by a younger and very talented emerging class of artists and potters. There will truly be something for every taste and budget.” – Tony Marsh

Archie Bray Foundation’s live auction and closing of the Cup and Silent Auctions will take place on Saturday, July 23, in conjunction with the 50’s Flashback Brickyard Bash featuring live music by Missoula artists The Big Sky Mudflaps with special guests from Salsa Loca. Those unable to attend on July 23 are encouraged to take part in the auctions by proxy. During business hours, you may register for a bidder number by contacting the Bray North Gallery (406-443-3502 ext. 18). Once you have registered as a bidder you may bid by email or by phone. Phone and email bids will be accepted until 5 pm MDT on Friday, July 22.

For more information about proxy bidding visit the Bray’s website.

View the full selection of this Friday’s Live Auction pieces in this beautiful online catalog and call the Bray to get your bid number today! 406-443-3502 ext. 18.