Helena is a ceramic town, anchored by the Archie Bray and augmented by art galleries and the Holter. We offer some of the most unique, creative pottery and ceramic sculpture in Helena through 1+1=1 Gallery exhibitions. We strive to show a mix of affordable clay by emerging artists and collector's ceramics by more experienced potters and sculptors. Come see what we have! Featuring clay art by Susan Mattson, Nancy Goughnour, Carla Potter, Maureen Cole, Trudy Skari, Gregg Edelen, Andrew Rivera, Eliza Weber, Wendy Anderson, Betsey Hurd, Bruce Kitts and others.
An Exhibit of Four Storytelling Artists' New Works
"When you’re speaking in the truest, most intimate voice about your life, you are speaking with the universal voice." ~ Cheryl Strayed
Please join us on August 21st from 10 to 4, to meet the four Helena artists featured in STORIES. Each of thes artists is a storyteller and an optimist. Each is a magical being who uses narrative in her art, to tell about the human condition through humor, strength, story and beauty. Each speaks through art-making, in a true voice and therefore a universal voice. We invite you to spend time viewing these stories during the exhibit, and hope that you will bring their meaningful ideas into your own lives and homes.
Our Gallery Family has Grown!
We are delighted to introduce Bruce Kitts to the Helena arts community, especially since Helena is such a devoted ceramics town. Joining 1+1=1 Gallery recently, Bruce begins with a gorgeous display of his atmosphere-fired pots in our large front window. Make sure to check out his artwork as you stroll downtown, and come in during gallery hours to see them up close and personal.
This month we are featuring Nancy Goughnour and Maureen Cole in GalleryTWO. Both are Helena artists who have been showing at 1+1=1 Gallery for years.
See Goughnour’s and Cole’s solo shows anytime we are open Tuesday through Saturday Aug 21 – Sep 14, while the shows are up! And, join us on the last day of the shows to celebrate.*
*We invite you to join us on September 14 from 11 to 4pm (just drop in anytime) for an Open House at 1+1=1 Gallery. Here’s your chance to meet and talk with our TWO artists, in a friendly — warm — and informal atmosphere. Maureen Cole will do a demo showing some of the methods she uses for her tiny houses. Nancy Goughnour will be demonstrating her figurative sculpting techniques. Both artists are eager to talk with visitors about their inspirations and their artwork.
Come on downtown Saturday, Sept 14, anytime between 11 and 4
Join us for goodies and beverages during our Open House. Brunch, Mimosas and Grazing Boards for everyone! Coffee and tea will also be served with a big friendly smile.
Family friendly
Bring your kids. Come meet Nancy, Maureen and Shadow! Call 406-431-9931 for more information.
TWO is a new concept for 1+1=1 this year.
Changes at 1+1=1 Gallery
In early 2019, we renamed part of our Back Gallery and made it a place to celebrate and shine a spotlight on just two of our represented artists at a time. The space is now called “TWO.” Every artist we represent will have a chance to prominently show a body of their work once a year with a reception or open house. We’re very excited about this change to how we introduce you to our artists and their newest fabulous artwork. In addition to TWO, the other part of our Back Gallery continues to show a sampling of work by many of the artists represented by and associated with 1+1=1. Come in as often as you wish — you are likely to find new artworks every time you stop by.
“VESSEL” opens March 22nd with an opening reception
We are excited and delighted to bring you our second group exhibit of the year titled, VESSEL.
Vessels metaphorical or literal, decorative and functional, ceramic, wood or ink on paper … vases, cups, plates, sculptures, bowls, mugs and some that refuse to be defined. Vessels you will recognize immediately and others you will have to ponder.
Opening night is March 22nd
Please join us Friday evening, March 22, so you can be the first to see our artists’ fabulous interpretations of the vessel theme. Local and regional artists have been hard at work making pieces for months. We welcome back some of our long-time artists Trudy Skari, John Andrew, Sarah Magar, Maureen Cole and Laurie Shaman, who have each developed a strong following in Helena. We also welcome a handful of artists whom we have introduced recently, and whose work we hope you will grow to love and collect. SarahJess Swann, Andrew Rivera, Molly Rivera, Eliza Weber, Boyd Carson and Becky Street.
Expect to be surprised, delighted and moved by this group of vessels.
Molly Rivera
What: new exhibit, “VESSEL”
When: Friday Mar. 22 from 5 to 8pm
Who: Our opening events are for everyone, kids too — and it’s free
Where: 1+1=1 Gallery is located at 434 North Last Chance Gulch in Helena, Montana.
More Info: Call the gallery 406.431.9931 or email us
Artists include:
• Andrew rivera . Missoula mt
• becky street . seattle wa
• boyd carson . bozeman mt
• eliza weber . phoenix az
• john andrew . helena mt
• laurie shaman . chicago il
• maureen cole . helena mt
• molly rivera . missoula mt
• sarah magar . sook bc
• sarahjess swann . bozeman mt
• trudy skari . helena mt
Our online catalog for VESSEL goes live on March 26th.
All artworks featured in VESSEL will be available through our online exhibit catalog beginning the week after the show opens. Watch for a link at the top of our home page here, or to make sure you don’t miss it, subscribe to our love notes and we will send you a link in an email that week.
Here’s the magic button to subscribe to our “love notes!” Get updates on events and invitations to our opening receptions for new exhibits. We promise not to spam you or share your private info with anyone — ever.
“RITUAL: Functional Clay in Everyday Life” starts August 3rd with an opening reception
Our next show opens August 3 and runs through September 1, 2018. Please join us on opening night for a reception, to meet the artists and get the best choice of functional pieces for your home, office or gifts.
What: Opening Reception of “Ritual: functional clay in everyday life”
When: Friday Aug. 3 from 5 to 8pm
Who: Our opening events are for everyone, kids too — and it’s free
Where: 1+1=1 Gallery is located at 434 North Last Chance Gulch in Helena, Montana.
More Info: Call the gallery 406.431.9931 or email us
Why Ritual?
Ritual. Isn’t that something we should save for special days? Why not create more meaning in everyday activities? Rituals slow us down, connect us with the origins of things and the underlying beauty of all life. From cooking and eating … to lighting a candle; placing flowers in a vase; drinking coffee, tea, ale or wine; bathing and brushing teeth; meditation and prayer; telling stories and tucking children or ourselves in bed … these are things we may do everyday and — if done with intention — can become wonderful meaningful moments for us.
Nine local and regional ceramic artists submitted a large selection of functional clay objects that can be used in our everyday life. Bowls, plates, cups, cookie jars, mugs, trays, vases and tumblers are just a few. Everything in the exhibit is beautiful enough to be displayed as a work of art … and useful enough to become part of your everyday life.
Artists include:
• Maureen Cole, Helena MT
• sarah magar, sook bc canada
• George McCauley, Helena MT
• Page Kelly Piccolo, Clancy MT
• Carla potter, Helena mt
• andrew rivera, missoula MT
• trudy skari, helena MT
• Sarahjess Swann, Bozeman MT
• Eliza Weber, great falls mt
Just in time for Montana visitors looking for something special to take home, and for Helena residents who want to treat themselves or someone to a one-of-a-kind useful gift. We will have the entire exhibit in our online catalog for anyone who can’t make it to the gallery in person. The catalog goes live on August 4th.
Subscribe to our email love notes so you don’t miss knowing about it!
Maureen Cole
Carla Potter
Sarah Magar
Eliza Weber
Sarahjess Swann
Page Kelly Piccolo
Trudy Skari
Andrew Rivera
George McCauley
Maureen Cole
Sarah Magar
Eliza Weber
Sarahjess Swann
Page Kelly Piccolo
Andrew Rivera
Geroge McCauley
Maureen Cole
Sarah Magar
Eliza Weber
Page Kelly Piccolo
Andrew Rivera
George McCauley
Eliza Weber
Eliza Weber
Andrew Rivera
George McCauley
Here’s where you can subscribe to our “love notes” to get updates on events and invitations to our opening receptions for new exhibits. (We promise not to spam you or share your private info with anyone — ever.)
Our next exhibit at 1+1=1 Gallery is “Elements: Water Earth Air Fire,” featuring seven artists from Montana, and British Columbia. The work of these artists fits harmoniously into our theme of the natural elements of which all things are made. Each artist has been working on pieces for this show that embody one or more of the elements in some way. Some pieces have a elemental theme, others by the nature of the medium, represent an element such as clay/fire; wood/earth.
Send us your mailing address for a postcard invitation to our openings. US addresses only.
WATER
Tim Carney, a master woodworker and artist, creates one-of-a-kind furniture that reminds us of a swift river current, a leaf floating on a stream, ocean waves or steam rising from a caldera. His signature “urban organic”style looks great in an elegant lodge, a midcentury modern home or an urban loft.
“Aspen Leaves” by Tim J. Carney
EARTH
John Andrewmakes earth vessels from local hardwood trees that have been scarred by beetles, fungi and other natural forces. Peter Shaughnessy is inspired by his love of the environment and uses various woods, bone and glass in his philosophical biomorphic sculptures.
Cherry Burl Vessel by John AndrewSculpture by Peter Shaughnessy
AIR
Elizabeth Hughes Bass‘ oil paintings in this body of work, depict luminous skies, approaching storms and the color of the air and land with luscious palette knife and brush strokes.
Painting by Elizabeth Hughes Bass
FIRE
Gregg Edelen’s raku and wood-fired vessels are simple organic reminders to live with beauty everyday. With bodies covered in human faces and life-size heads, Susan Mattson’s birds, mammals and human figures are provocative and strangely compelling. Trudy Skari tells visual stories and makes ceramic poetry with her delightful animal sculptures and wall pieces.
Handled Mug by Gregg Edelen
Mourning Dove by Susan Mattson
“Fluctuating between more than two things can be interesting” by Trudy Skari
Watch for updates here on our website or on our Facebook page. We’ll be posting sneak peeks of the artist’s work as we receive photos. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive an invitation to the opening reception.
One of these days, we are going to have to have a solo exhibit for Gregg Edelen. He is the most prolific artist on our roster, and the best selling. His work spans many moods from whimsical to serious; from illustrative to contemplative. Gregg has been making pottery and taking community ceramics classes at the Archie Bray Foundation for 20+ years. He is also the main (volunteer) glaze-master for the Bray students and residents.
Gregg has recently truly found his “thing” with his most recent work, and for me it’s like opening Christmas gifts when he delivers boxes of new ceramics. Some of the latest work will be set aside to show in an exhibit later this summer titled, “Elements: WaterEarthWindFire.” But there are dozens of new small ceramic pieces perfect for Mother’s Day gifts, or any kind of gift. From $20 to $150, there is something of Gregg’s for anyone. Stop by the gallery and see what Gregg’s been up to. He just keeps getting better and better every day! Thank you, Gregg. We love having you here at 1+1=1.
We love having Patty Ceglio’s ceramics at 1+1=1 Gallery. It’s about time she was our “featured artist” on the website!
Patty continues to grow and evolve with her artwork — exploring the sgraffito technique and new ceramic forms. She dives ever deeper into her work/play to integrate her love of the environment with the urge to create art with her hands. Lately she has been working on a series (what better way to dive deeper, as an artist?) on trees. Every time I see one of her tree works-in-progress, I get more excited for the show coming up in June. I interviewed her for this featured artist post (see below.)
