Art & Gift

Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts (The Bray) was founded at the foothills of the Montana Rockies in 1951 by entrepreneur, brickmaker, and avid arts patron Archie Bray, who intended it to be a place to “make available for all who are seriously interested in the ceramic arts, a fine place to work.” The primary mission is to provide an environment and connection with other serious artists that stimulates creative work in ceramics.

Aunt Bonnie’s Books & Gifts is a quaint bookstore with unique gifts and secondhand books for sale. No cell phones allowed in this tranquil atmosphere.

Birds and Beasleys is a unique art gallery and gift shop. See original works of art done by Montana artists. We are known for our large variety of gifts in a wide range of prices, plus our excellent customer service.

Additionally, we are a wild bird feed and supply house. Find everything you need for your backyard feathered friends, premium birdseed, unique bird houses and feeders. Plus we have lots of information.

Back In 1999, a small group ceramic artists, who outgrew class area at the Archie Bray, decided to start their own work space. From that original group of seven artists the Clay Arts Guild was founded. Today The Guild is a 501c(3) non-profit organization with a membership of over 100 practicing clay artists.

The Guild’s mission is to promote the ceramic arts within Helena and the surrounding community by providing support and education through individual and community workspace, classes, seminars and shared resources. We are governed by an all-volunteer eight-member board which meets about once a month. Each May an annual membership meeting is held annual elections, information sharing and for major business decisions.

Welcome to the General Mercantile, home of the finest “gold” to be found on Last Chance Gulch! Since 1971 the Merc has been providing a unique counter culture to Helena. The hissing of the vintage espresso machines and aroma of freshly ground espresso fill the cozy niches throughout the store, all of which are a perfect places to sip a warm latte, hot cocoa, or an old-fashioned soda.

The Ghost Art Gallery was established in 1974 in the historic mining district of Helena. The original gallery was small and offered mostly paintings of buildings and themes from the several surrounding ghost towns; thus the name Ghost Art.

Our framing and design area is located above the gallery in what used to be Big Dorothy’s brothel. Ghost Art Gallery has grown to 4200 square feet and specializes in western and wildlife art, featuring over 80 of Montana’s finest artists.

We carry limited edition art from the following publishers: Greenwich Workshop, Mill Pond Press, Hadley House, and Somerset House Publishing. Along with art we have the highest quality framing with certified picture framers on staff.

The Holter Museum of Art serves Montana and neighboring states with a quality visual arts exhibition program that includes all media; brings national and international exhibitions into the region; provides a much-needed venue for local and regional artists; and collects, preserves, and interprets significant contemporary Northwest art. The Holter is committed to promoting participation by diverse audiences through outreach, innovative educational programming, and collaboration with other organizations. Increasing and promoting a strong cultural awareness to the broadest possible audience is a guiding factor to our operations.  Admission is free.

Imagine Designs is a grass roots business. Built in Helena, MT from the ground up, beginning in 2007 by Bob & Rachel Krug; who have been designing and making jewelry since 1990. Now, all of our kids work with us and are learning – and perfecting – the trade. Look for our second store opening in Missoula, MT in February! 2200 Brooks St, Suite A, we can’t wait to see you there.

Kevin is a Helena, Montana based award-winning professional landscape, lifestyle and wildlife photographer capturing Montana and the western United States’ most beautiful, fleeting and fascinating moments. He currently offers print sales, digital image licenses, freelance/commercial services including aerial (drone) photography, and educational workshops.

He has been a student of photography for several decades beginning as a teenager when his parents handed down their 35mm film Nikon cameras to him. Fast forward a few decades later, after being surprised as an underdog finalist in a local photography contest and with encouragement from friends and family, he established his photography business in 2015, fulfilling a lifelong dream and quickly becoming one of Montana’s favorite new visual artists.