It’s a rare and sacred moment when art, ancestry and alchemy come together in perfect harmony, weaving a new story while honoring the echoes of the past. Preston Singletary, a Tlingit glass artist of the Pacific Northwest, has spent decades shaping fire and sand into breathtaking tributes to his heritage — visions of spirit animals, clan crests and the powerful narratives of his people, all frozen in the crystalline glow of molten glass. The journey continues with an exciting new chapter in Seattle: the grand reopening of the Traver Gallery on April 5, 2025.
Born of the Tlingit people, Singletary’s path has been one of deep reverence and revolutionary creativity. Traditionally, the art of his ancestors flourished in wood, stone and textiles — carved totems, woven regalia and ceremonial objects imbued with spirit. As an artist called by the glassblowing fire, Singletary has forged an unprecedented connection between this modern medium and his Indigenous lineage. His work is a shimmering bridge where the wisdom of the elders meets the fluidity of innovation, proving that the stories of the past can be told in luminous new ways.
For the Tlingit people, fire is more than an element; it is a teacher, an ancestor, a force of transformation. Grandfather Fire is the keeper of wisdom, the eternal flame that carries the voices of those who came before. Singletary has been called to work with this sacred flame, a conduit through which fire and spirit merge to create something truly timeless. Each piece he breathes into existence is not just art but a communion with Grandfather Fire, forging a bridge between ancient tradition and the infinite possibilities of the future. In his hands, the molten glow of creation becomes an offering, a vessel of ancestral knowledge crystallized in glass.
For over 40 years, Singletary has crafted pieces that pulse with the essence of the natural and spiritual realms — Raven, Eagle, Killer Whale and the mystical figures of Tlingit mythology brought to life through the flame’s breath. His glass creations hold the medicine of his ancestors, carrying forward the visual language of formline design, Indigenous symbology and the heartbeat of the land. Viewers are immersed in Singletary’s visionary world, where the depths of his glass art tell stories of the deep forests, eternal ocean, rushing rivers and the ancestral voices that guide his hands. Every piece he creates is a ceremony, a reflection of the sacred energies that flow through him and into the molten glass, capturing moments of transformation in radiant stillness.
Now, with the unveiling of the new gallery space, the circle expands even wider. This gallery exhibit is a portal — a living, breathing space where art and spirit collide. The grand opening exhibition, “Raven is as Raven Does,” invites visitors to witness the power of transformation through visual and oral storytelling. Singletary collaborates with international best-selling author Garth Stein. Together, their crafts alchemize a contemporary retelling of the Raven stories, offering a new perspective on age-old myths. They envision Raven navigating a world in flux, challenging authority, defying reality and confronting the absurd perils of modern life.
For those who walk the path of elevated consciousness, this is more than an art show — it’s a chance to gather in community, honor Indigenous artistry and experience the next evolution of Tlingit storytelling through glass. Singletary and Stein offer the community a unique opportunity to commune with the artists at the opening reception. Whether you are a collector or simply appreciate the energy of something truly unique, this gallery opening is an event not to be missed.
My fellow cosmic travelers, mark your calendars and make your way to Traver Gallery near
the iconic Ballard Bridge. Let the whisper of the wind guide you to a space where ancient wisdom glows in crystalline form. Light up that sacred herb, OGs, and head on partake in a breathtaking Indigenous representation of glass-blown magic. Preston’s work is sure to keep you elevated for days to come.
Location: Traver Gallery 1100 W. Ewing Street, Seattle, WA
Grand opening exhibition: “Raven is as Raven Does” April 5-26, 2025
Opening Reception: April 5, 3 to 7 PM
Artist talk: April 19, 3 PM
prestonsingletary.com | @prestonsingletaryglass | travergallery.com/exhibitions
