The Summer of Clay is coming to Helena and the Archie Bray Foundation — and if that sounds like it’s a big deal, it is.

Early next month, 13 internationally renowned ceramic artists from places like Thailand and Israel will arrive in Helena to spend several weeks together, sharing studio space and living accommodations — kind of like The Real World: Archie Bray Foundation.

“The initial idea was for them to have the opportunity to just spend time together, building friendships, forging cultural bonds,” says Josh DeWeese, resident director out at the Bray. “Those connections between people and between artists help build understanding.”

Then, beginning June 22, the Bray will host Archie Bray International 2006, a jam-packed weekend of exhibitions, demonstrations, a gala auction and other celebratory events.

“It seems like every five years is a good time to plan some kind of event that is grand enough to attract national attention,” says DeWeese.

In June 2001, for its 50th anniversary celebration, the Bray honored greats in the ceramic art world like Rudy Autio and Peter Voulkos.

This time, the Bray is looking to the future, where important artists and art centers are making an impact not just locally, but globally.

“And I just want to make sure that the Bray is recognized as one of those places,” says DeWeese.

“The focus of it this year really has to do with the influx of all the international artists … partly because we really want people to come see the new studio facility, too.”

Visiting artists include Sergei Isupov, a renowned ceramic sculptor, originally from the Ukraine; artists Esthela Dagua and Miriam Vargas of Ecuador, who also happen to be mother and daughter; and Baba Wague Diakite of Mali.

“We did look for representatives from all the continents,” says DeWeese. “But there’s also quite a range of really traditional work and then really contemporary work.”

The culminating weekend of events promises to bring even more artists — and tons of ceramic art — to Helena; DeWeese says that so far, over 400 artists will be represented in various exhibitions and auctions around town.

On Thursday, the weekend begins with the openings of the resident and visiting artist exhibition and the silent auction exhibitions.

Also on hand will be the Artstream Nomadic Gallery, which is just what you would imagine it is: an Airstream camper decked out as a traveling art museum. Tours will be given of the new Shaner Studio and the evening will end with live music on the Bray grounds.

Friday, out at the Bray, demonstrations and presentations open to conference participants will be going on all day. That evening, to the strains of the Last Chance Bluegrass Festival, downtown Helena will host a Ceramic Stroll — just like the Artwalk, but featuring clay artists only.

Many local galleries will be devoted to ceramic exhibitions as well, including the Holter and the Turman.

Several more presentations and demos will happen on Saturday, June 24; during the afternoon, Bray residents and local ceramic artists will open their studios to the public.

Saturday night’s gala dinner and live auction is the main event of the weekend, and benefits the Archie Bray resident artist scholarship fund.

The gala will be held at the Great Northern Best Western Hotel, with music by Salsa Loca.

Conference events wrap up Sunday morning with a casual gathering at the Bray.

“I would say that resident programs like the Bray have an impact on the field because I think that opportunities for artists to gather are really meaningful. They’re critical to the advancement of people’s work,” says DeWeese, who hopes that people will plan to attend the auction and support the Bray’s most important work.

“(The Bray is) unique in residency programs because of its focus on ceramics and also because of the number of residencies that are offered at one time,” he added. “As far as I know, it’s completely unique.”

Sarah Jaeger is a local ceramic artist who came to Helena for a residency at the Bray 21 years ago — and never left.

And why would she?

According to Jaeger, when you’re a potter who lives in the same town as the Archie Bray Foundation, “It’s like the world comes to Helena. The ceramic world comes here.”

The Summer of Clay is a prime example of that.

“The shows that are gonna be at the Holter are just unbelieveable — absolutely world class,” she added.

If she lived in a larger city, says Jaeger, there might be plenty of wonderful artists, but she wouldn’t have the kind of access to them that she does in Helena.

Now, when Jaeger attends yearly ceramic arts conferences, her friends are always asking why she seems to know everyone.

“And I say: ’cause of the Bray, ’cause of the Bray, ’cause of the Bray.”

While major events like this are great for Jaeger professionaly, because they bring a lot of serious collectors to town, she personally loves them because she has a lot of friends coming, too.

For DeWeese, the Summer of Clay marks his last major event as resident director for the Archie Bray Foundation. During the Archie Bray International 2006, the staff will introduce and welcome a new director.

In the fall, DeWeese and his wife, Rosalie Wynkoop, will be moving on from the Bray and from Helena. The couple plan to live in Bozeman and to pursue their own work.

“It’s hard to leave paradise, that’s for sure,” DeWeese said. “But it’s definitely time for a change.” DeWeese said.

Go to www.archiebray.org or call 443-3502.