Helena, Mont. (June 23, 2022) – The Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, an internationally renowned nonprofit creative center dedicated to the ceramic arts known as The Bray, has announced that Rebecca Harvey will be its new executive director, beginning July 1. The Bray worked with Arts Consulting Group, which specializes in national leadership searches for arts organizations, to conduct the international search. 

Harvey is a seasoned leader in arts education. Her career includes more than 25 years at The Ohio State University in numerous roles, including chair of the Department of Art, professor and chair of the senate steering committee. She also served at the Royal College of Art in London as head of programme, applied arts. Most recently, she has been director and professor at Ball State University’s School of Art. 

“Rebecca is wholly committed to collaborative, transparent and transformative leadership, always striving to create an environment where the community can thrive, and we believe she will bring an exciting, fresh perspective to The Bray,” said Steven Young Lee, director emeritus and special projects manager of The Bray. “With her extensive leadership experience at complex educational institutions, her passion for students and her commitment to the ceramic arts, she is the ideal person to lead us in our next phase of growth and vision, and we are honored to welcome Rebecca to The Bray.” 

“I am thrilled to be joining The Bray. I see my role as executive director as a way to take all of my skills and experiences, from boots-on-the-ground work to future planning, and help further evolve this storied organization,” said Harvey. “I am over the moon about the possibilities ahead—building upon The Bray’s tremendous history and continuing its essential work for an inclusive and collaborative future—and delighted to be able to center that conversation on all things ceramic.” 

Harvey received her MFA in Ceramics from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and her BFA from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She has received international recognition for her artistic practice, including residencies in Dresden, Germany; Uppsala, Sweden; Jingdezhen, China; and Olafsfjordur, Iceland.

Harvey is replacing Steven Young Lee, who spent 15 years at the helm of The Bray as resident artistic director. Lee has now transitioned to the newly created roles of director emeritus and special projects manager. As director emeritus, Lee will help transition the management and artistic leadership of The Bray to Harvey, and will continue to help build the organization’s foundation and maintain relationships with key donors. As special projects manager, he will help establish innovative programs that further The Bray’s reach into diverse communities.

“We are immensely grateful to Steven Young Lee for his many years of steady and impactful leadership. During his tenure, he has guided The Bray through a period of exceptional growth and evolution,” said Sue Tirrell, board chair at The Bray. “With new leadership and the recent, transformative $15 million endowment by the Windgate Foundation, The Bray is at an exciting and pivotal moment in our 71-year history.”
 

About The Bray

The Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, known as The Bray, is a public, nonprofit creative center solely dedicated to the ceramic arts. Founded in 1951 by brickmaker Archie Bray, the mission of The Bray is to enhance commitment to, and investment in, the ceramic arts. Located in Helena, Montana, near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the 26-acre former brickyard serves as a gathering place for emerging and professional ceramic artists. Its programs include an international artist-in-residence program, workshops and community classes, curated exhibitions, an on-site and virtual sales gallery, and a ceramic supply facility that provides “Bray Clay” and technical support to artists from around the world. The Bray | Bray Clay | Bray Gallery