Other past programs

CLICK HERE to read about the Gaylord Torrence event in April 2006

CLICK HERE to see photos of the Kimberly 'Billierose' Stevenot event held in spring of 2006

CLICK HERE to read about the visit to Eagle Plume's in July of 2006

CLICK HERE to see photos from Moyo Ogundipe's exhibition in August

CLICK HERE to see photos from the opening reception of
"To Cross an Ocean - Whakawhiti te Moana" Exhibition of works by Natasha Keating (Aotearoa/New Zeland)

"Pottery as a Sculptural Form" - photos coming soon...

Douglas Society Annual Dinner - photos coming soon...


CLICK HERE to see the current Douglas Society newsletter
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home page
Current and future events
Past events
"Preston Singletary's Expression in Glass: The Artist Presents His Work"
Presentation was given by Preston Singletary, contemporary glass artist, Tinglit (Seattle Washington)

The event took place in April, it was a fantastic event.
(Above) Preston Singletary photographed with some of his works.
From left are "Raven Personified," "Old Man Mask" and "Eagle Personified."
Photo Credit: Gilbert W. Arias/Seattle Post-Intelligencer Photo

CLICK HERE to read a good article on an exhibition that Preston did in Seattle in 2002
CLICK HERE to read about Preston's current exhibition at D & A Fine Arts in Studio City California
CLICK HERE to see photos of some of the objects in the exhibition
"Spirit Canoe" by Preston Singletary (Photo: Russell Johnson)
"Preston Singletary was fortunate as a child. He was surrounded
by creativity at home. His father was an outdoorsman who loved
climbing, painting, carving soapstone, and writing poetry. His
mother made beadwork and fiber art. Both parents played music.



At 19, he got a job in a glass studio. He started as the night
watchman but soon began mixing chemicals for glass blowing and
welding. Three months later he started blowing glass. He and his
best friend who worked together were exposed to prominent glass
artists on the job. A major step toward his current career came with
the visit of Italian master Lino Tagliapietra who inspired Singletary
to learn everything he could.



In 1984, Singletary attended his first class at Seattles famous
Pilchuck Glass School where glass artists come from all over the
world to learn. He began to create smaller pieces to show and sell,
using European glass blowing techniques. He went from group
shows in the early 1980s to one-man shows in the 1990s. Major
talents like glass artists Tony Jojola from the Southwest and Dale
Chihuly from the Northwest both inspired Singletary and
encouraged the blossoming artist to pursue his ideas. After a stint
in Sweden and Finland studying a different approach to design,
Singletary returned to Seattle and reverted to his familiar cultural
images.



Only a handful of Native Americans work in glass. Singletary has
been a forerunner, using previously undeveloped techniques to
revolutionize a new art form. He has unintentionally carved a place
in history parallel to that of San Ildefonso potter Maria Martinez or
the great Hopi potter Nampeyo. Singletarys work is characterized
by the arresting light images cast when his work is lit from above.
Singletary uses the strong Tlingit images of his culture to create
stunning glass forms utilizing many layered and etching techniques
he created himself."

From: Blue Rain Gallery
CLICK HERE to see some of Preston's works at Blue Rain Galelry
Killer Whale Hat, 2004
By Preston Singletary
blown and sandcarved glass
7" H x 17" W

Image courtesy: The Glass Gallery
Preston Singletary
Oyster Catcher Rattle
17" x 19" x 8"

Image courtesy: Chappell Gallery
Some exciting news in the Yohannes Family Gallery of African Art at the DAM!

US Bank funds African art at DAM
By The Denver Post
Article: 07/26/2007

"The Denver Art Museum is going to use half of a $50,000 gift from US Bancorp to add one or more
pieces of highly sought-after African contemporary art to the Yohannes Family Gallery of African Art.

The formal announcement came this evening at a reception attended by DAM trustees, staff,
benefactors and friends. The remaining money will be used to subsidize Member Mondays during an
upcoming exhibition of treasures from the Louvre in Paris.

"There is a tremendous demand worldwide for the contemporary pieces that African artists have
created in the past 10 to 15 years," said Daniel Yohannes, a member of the DAM board of trustees
and former vice chairman of US Bank. "This money will enable us to buy a piece - or pieces - that will
compliment what we currently have."

Yohannes also said that the gift most likely will serve as a catalyst for future donations. "I see it as
the seed that will help us garner more support."

Works by 10 African artists were evaluated by a DAM committee for possible purchase, and
Yohannes believes that five artists are currently in the running. "One of those five will be here on Aug.
8," Yohannes said. "He's definitely a front-runner; his work is phenomenal."

Yohannes, who is now president and chief executive officer of M & R Investments, said the
acquisition will put the DAM in a position of envy among its peers. "Many museums have ancient
African art, but few are lucky enough to have the truly spectacular contemporary works. That we will
have some is a big deal, indeed."

He had special praise for his former employer's support. "The bank has always been an active
participant in things that are good for the community. When I asked them for help on this, they said
yes right away."

In addition to Yohannes, guests at the reception included DAM Director Lewis Sharp; Nancy
Blomberg, curator of the Native Arts Department; and Moyo Okediji, curator of African and Oceanic
Arts."
Our spring program series was a great success, thanks to everyone who participated.

Our fall program is complete, mark your calendars for the following dates!


September 24, 2008 — Southwestern Indian Jewelry: Crafting New Traditions

Dexter Cirillo, author of the new book:
"Southwestern Indian Jewelry: Crafting New Traditions"
Learn about emergent Native American artisans of the last 25 years, brimming with innovative design,
techniques and use of materials.

October 22, 2008 — Connecting thru Printmaking

Melanie Yazzie, Associate Professor of Art, University of Colorado, Boulder (Navajo/Dine)
Find out how printmaking has been a bridge to people from many other countries.

November 20, 2008 — Born of Fire: Margaret Tafoya and Stories of her Storage Jars
Charles King, author of the new book:
"Born of Fire: The Life and Pottery of Margaret Tafoya"
Explore stories of iconic matriarchal Pueblo potter Margaret Tafoya and her exceptional large
vessels with bear paw designs.

January 8, 2009 —- Candace Green, Lakota Winter Counts

February 6, 2009 — Douglas Society Annual Meeting and Dinner in DAM’s Schlessman Hall