Preston Singletary facts for kids

Preston Singletary (born 1963) is a famous Native American glass artist. He is known for blending traditional Tlingit designs with modern glass art. His work shows how old traditions can be expressed in new ways.

About Preston Singletary

Preston Singletary was born in 1963 in San Francisco, California. He grew up near Seattle, listening to stories from his great-grandparents. His great-grandmother, Susie Johnson Bartlett Gubatayo, was from the Eagle group of the Tlingit people. This is a very important family line for him, as Tlingit society often follows the mother's side.

When he was 15, in 1979, Singletary met Dante Marioni, whose father was also a glass artist. After high school, Preston wanted to be a musician. But Dante offered him a job as a night watchman at a glass-blowing studio in Seattle called the Glass Eye. Soon, Preston started working during the day and joined a team that made glass art.

In 1984, Singletary attended a workshop at the Pilchuck Glass School. This school became very important to him. He has been a teacher, student, and even a board member there. Preston has blown glass in many countries, including Sweden, Italy, and Finland. In the late 1980s, he began adding traditional Tlingit designs to his art. He also learned more about Native culture from other artists like Joe David.

Preston's Artistic Vision

Preston Singletary explains that he didn't expect to feel such a strong connection to glass when he started in 1982. But everything changed when he began using designs from his Tlingit heritage. This gave his art a new purpose and direction.

He says that his skills with glass and traditional Tlingit design have grown stronger. This has helped him explore his connection to both his culture and his chosen art form.

Singletary believes his glass art shows that Native artists can use modern materials. He feels his work helps prove that Indigenous people are still here. They are sharing who they are through their art and their culture.

Preston's Artworks

Safe Journey (2021) at the Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC in 2022

At first, Preston Singletary's art was inspired by European glass. He especially liked the Modernist style. In 1993, he worked in Scandinavia for six months. There, his art started to mix clean Scandinavian styles with traditional Tlingit designs. He felt like he was "straddling two different worlds."

Today, he is famous for using glass to show traditional Tlingit themes. Many of his pieces feature clan crests, like the killer whale, which is important to his family. He has also worked with other Native artists. Together, they created glass art like the Founders Totem Pole (2001). He also made the Devilfish Prow with Maori artist Lewis Tamihana Gardiner (2007).

Some people think Singletary's work isn't truly Tlingit because he uses glass instead of traditional materials like wood. But Preston sees himself as "transforming the culture." He believes artists should be allowed to create new paths. He says his art is more than just "ethnic art." It has power because it connects to history and his family's Tlingit background.

In 2022, Singletary's art was shown in an exhibit called Raven and the Box of Daylight. This exhibit was at the National Museum of the American Indian. That same year, he became a Fellow of the American Craft Council. Several of his artworks were bought by the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Special Art Projects

In 2024, Preston Singletary and artist David Franklin were chosen for a public art project. They will create a sculpture for a transit stop in Seattle. He is also working on other public art projects across the country.

In 2023, Singletary wrote a book called Fusion Notes. This book is a visual memoir about his life and art. The title shows how he combines his Tlingit background, his love for music, and his passion for glass art.

Preston Singletary is also working on the Pacific Northwest Ballet's production of "The Sleeping Beauty." He is designing the scenery for the show, which opens in January 2025.

"Raven and the Box of Daylight" Exhibit

In 2022, Preston Singletary's art was featured in a special traveling exhibit. It was called Preston Singletary: Raven and the Box of Daylight. This exhibit has been shown in many places. These include the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, WA (2018), and the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC (2022).

This exhibit tells the Tlingit origin story of Raven. Raven is a trickster who transforms the world. He brings light to people by giving them the stars, moon, and sun. The exhibit takes visitors on a journey from darkness to light. It was organized by Preston Singletary and the Museum of Glass.

Preston's Music

Preston Singletary also plays bass in a band called Khu.éex’. Khu.éex’ is an Indigenous band with many creative members. They are storytellers, activists, and artists. They come together to raise awareness about social issues. These issues often come from the Native American experience but affect everyone.

The late Bernie Worrell, who was African American and Cherokee, also helped start the band. He was a founding member of the famous band Parliament-Funkadelic. He also played with the Talking Heads. Preston uses music to share his modern view of Native culture.

Awards and Collections

Notable Awards

• 2024 Asian Hall of Fame, Class of 2024 Pacific Northwest, Seattle, WA.
• 2022 Arts Innovator Award, Artist Trust, Seattle, WA.
• 2022 College of Fellows Award, American Craft Council, Minneapolis, MN.
• 2021 Master of the Medium - James Renwick Alliance for Craft, Washington, DC
• 2019 Artist Laureate – The Rainier Club, Seattle, WA.
• 2018 Governor’s Arts Award – Individual, Washington State Arts Commission, Olympia, WA.

Notable Collections

Preston Singletary's art can be found in many important museums and collections:

• Brooklyn Museum of Art, Brooklyn, NY
• Canadian Museum of History
• Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY (Rakow Commission)
• Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI
• Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis, IN
• Microsoft Arts Collection, Redmond, WA
• Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
• National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC
• National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson, WY
• Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
• Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA
• Sealaska Heritage, Juneau, AK
• Wichita Art Museum, Wichita, KS