Archie Bray Foundation Mural, 2016, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, Montana
Mural design and project facilitation by Laurel True
Mural creation by True and students of Mosaic Mural Making Workshop, with assistance from community volunteers.
Student artists: Caron Bell, Allie Buck, Holly Jo Camp, Bruce Capdeville, Amara Geffen, Laurel Haroldson, Laura James, Tamara Meyer, Joan Morris, Wilbur Rehmann and Cynthia Trezona with guest artist Lindsey Carroll.
Support for this project comes from Alan and Nancy Nicholson, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Jerry Metcalf Foundation. The ceramic tile was donated by Quarry Tile Company of Spokane, Washington.
I spent two weeks in Helena, Montana this summer facilitating a mosaic mural project with community engagement to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts.
I worked with Bray staff and community members the first week and taught a Mosaic Mural Making Intensive the second week for students who came in from all parts of the country to learn how to facilitate, create and install a mosaic mural.
We used salvaged brick from the brickyard, repurposed pottery shards found on the grounds and ceramic tile and mirror to create a mural that shines with the history and memory or the Bray as well as aspects of the the surrounding landscape. The mural honors many of the renown artists who worked at the Bray since its inception in 1951 as well as the values of its founder, Archie Bray.
I worked very closely with project stakeholders to create a design that resonated very specifically with their vision.
The mural is 16’ x 7’ and is located in a public space in downtown Helena.