Preston Singletary

Tlingit (Alaska)

Medium: Glass

Internationally recognized artist, Preston Singletary, started working with glass in 1982 and has since become well-known for his pieces that tell a story using designs from his Tlingit cultural heritage and how they inform and inspire his work within his chosen medium of glass blowing. Singletary says his “artworks feature themes of transformation, animal spirits and shamanism through elegant blown glass forms and mystical sand carved Tlingit de-signs.” He worked with artists such as Benjamin Moore and Dante Marioni where he initial-ly focused on mastering traditional European glass techniques, which led to further study of Scandinavian and Venetian design. With over 30 years of glass blowing experience, his artworks are included in several museum collections including The British Museum in Lon-don, The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., and the Heard Museum in Phoenix.

"My work with glass transforms the notion that Native artists are only best when traditional materials are used. It has helped advocate on the behalf of all indigenous people—affirming that we are still here—that that we are declaring who we are through our art in connection to our culture."