Bray announces Steven Young Lee as new Resident Artist Director

Effective September 1, 2006, Steven Young Lee will become resident artist director of the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena, Montana, replacing Josh DeWeese, who has served the Bray and its residents with great distinction for 14 years. DeWeese and his wife, Rosalie Wynkoop, made the decision about a year ago that it was time for them to devote more time to their studio work. In early 2007, they will relocate to DeWeese's hometown of Bozeman, Montana. A former Bray resident most recently teaching at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C., Lee brings great energy, intellect, artistry and international experience to his new position. He was selected from a strong field of candidates over a year-long search. Lee is a Chicago native. He received his MFA in Ceramics from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 2004. In 2004-5, he lectured and taught at numerous universities throughout China. While there, he created a new body of work as part of a one-year cultural and educational exchange fellowship in Jingdezhen, Jianxi Province. In the United States, he has taught at Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan, the Clay Art Center in New York and the Lill Street Studio in Chicago. He has also managed a ceramics supply business in Chicago. His work has been exhibited in China, Canada and throughout the United States, and is held in private collections in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Montana. Lee maintains an active studio practice rooted in both functional and sculptural ceramics. His current work examines the process of recognition-how individuals draw realities based on experiences and environment. Through functional pottery and sculpture, he challenges pre-conceptions of style, form, symbolism, superstitions and identity. Lee was a summer resident at the Bray in 1998. "I was able to work with a community of artists from different stages in their careers, learning so much from their work ethic and life experiences," he said recently. 'To now have the opportunity to contribute in this role (as Resident Director) is more than I could have imagined." DeWeese is similarly pleased with the selection. "I knew from the time Steve was here as a resident that we would be seeing him again," he said. "His talent, vitality, teaching and people skills will be a terrific asset to the Bray as we move ahead." Dick Baiter, chairman of the Bray's board of directors, said the board had a great field of candidates to choose from. "We could not have gone wrong with any of our finalists," he said. "But because of his life experiences and record of achievement in everything he has done, Steve rose to the top. We are eager to begin working with him." Lee will be able to put his energy to good work at the Bray. In addition to his primary responsibilities of mentoring resident artists and designing and implementing creative programming, he will shepherd the Bray through the growth that follows completion of the new David and Ann Shaner Resident Artist Studio and implementation of several new fellowship programs. The Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts is a public, nonprofit, educational institution founded in 1951 by brickmaker Archie Bray. Its primary mission is to provide an environment that stimulates creative work in ceramics. The Artist-in-Residence program is the core of the Bray's activities and has drawn artists from around the world for more than 50 years.

Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts 2915 Country Club Avenue Helena, MT 59602 Office Phone: 406-443-3502 Fax: 406-443-0934 E-Mail: archiebray@archiebray.org