Rudy Autio, Trifecta,
ceramic vessel, glazed, 2000,
Donated by Miriam Sample,
(Background: tile mosaic,
Flathead Valley, by Rudy Autio
in Gallagher Business Building)

The Rudy Autio Ceramics Collection, named in honor of UM's longtime Art Department chair, contains many pieces completed at The University of Montana Missoula campus as part of the ceramics program that Autio administered and directed for over 28 years. The pieces in this collection are from visiting artists, students, and other noted ceramists across the country, including those who have been residents at the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, Montana.  Numbering more than 150 pieces, this collection includes major ceramic works and sculptures by UM Professor of Art Emeritus Rudy Autio (1926-2007) that span his 50 year career; a large body of work donated by Ken Little; the Sherman Preece Collection donated by Gilbert Millikan; MMAC purchases of student and faculty work; and a group of Chinese and Japanese functional ceramics.  The collection also has important holdings of work by Peter Voulkos, David Pledge, Henry Meloy, Peter Meloy, Jay Rummel, Frances Senska, and David Shaner, among others.