Archie Bray anniversary raises nearly $600,000
Published: August 21, 2011
The Archie Bray’s 60th anniversary celebration, “2011: From the Center to the Edge – 60 Years of Creativity and Innovation at the Archie Bray Foundation,” was an unprecedented success for the Helena ceramic arts center.
The event, held June 23-25 in Helena, generated nearly $600,000, with the auction, held June 24 at the Helena Civic Center, grossing more than $500,000. “We had conservatively budgeted about $300,000 due to the weak economy,” says the Bray’s resident director Steven Lee.
In addition, the Bray brought in an estimated $75,000 (final numbers are pending) in receipts for exhibition sales, registration fees and donations.
Lee attributes the dramatic show of support to several factors. Contributions from sponsors, including foundations, businesses and individuals, covered the basic costs. High-quality artwork in the silent and live auctions attracted artists and collectors from throughout the U.S. and around the world. And volunteers – nearly 200 of them – provided “more help than we ever imagined.”
“I think everyone was aware that this was a special milestone for the Bray and wanted to help out because of their belief in the mission,” he says.
An estimated 67 percent of the 450 registered attendees were from out of state, a statistic Lee attributes to the Bray’s “strong reputation internationally for its support of ceramic artists.” Plus, he said, “many people wanted to see it firsthand.”
The event attracted a slew of former resident artists, many of whom brought friends and students with them. “Those that have spent time here gain some ownership because they’ve become a part of the Bray family, and they want to give back,” says Lee. “We couldn’t continue to fulfill the mission without the support of so many individuals.”
The event also brought an economic infusion to the community of Helena, filling hotels and restaurants, and bringing business to downtown shops.
“Nearly every one we spoke with mentioned Helena in the same breath as the Archie Bray Foundation,” wrote Lee and the Bray’s board president, Jon Satre, in a letter that appeared in the Independent Record. “They were dazzled by the hospitality and the support for the arts that came from our community.”
– Kristi Niemeyer
