Immersive Tlingit glass sculptures exhibition opens Nov. 8

Preston Singletary (Tlingit, born 1963)
Raven Steals the Sun (Gagaan Awutáawu Yéil), Made at the Museum in 2008
Blown, hot-sculpted, and sand-carved glass
TX.2018.4.51, [VA.2009.28]
Collection of Museum of Glass, gift of the artist

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS — Raven and the Box of Daylight, a critically acclaimed exhibition by internationally renowned Tlingit artist Preston Singletary, opens Nov. 8 at the Eiteljorg Museum. In a departure from traditional exhibitions, Raven and the Box of Daylight is an immersive experience in which works of glass tell the story of how the Tlingit cultural hero Raven brought light to his people.

The Eiteljorg, home to one of the largest collections of contemporary Native art in the world, is the only Midwest destination this year for Raven and the Box of Daylight.

With Raven and the Box of Daylight, Singletary creates a “must see it to believe it” experience. The smooth glowing sculptures of Raven and other central figures from Tlingit oral tradition have a fluid, lifelike quality. An ethereal soundscape and lighting effects fill the exhibit’s five sections.

“Preston Singletary is a prolific contemporary Native artist whom I have admired for a long time,” Eiteljorg President and CEO Kathryn Haigh said. “We are honored and excited to welcome his mesmerizing exhibition for our public to experience.”

Based in Seattle, Singletary blends European glassblowing with Northwest Native themes from his Tlingit culture, such as transformation, animals and shamanism. Having studied glass art at the Pilchuck Glass School co-founded by glass sculpture icon Dale Chihuly, Singletary was trained by Venetian glassmaking masters; he also studied Scandinavian design in Sweden. His artworks are in the collections of major museums worldwide.

“Preston Singletary is an extraordinarily important contemporary Native artist whose virtuosity we are thrilled to celebrate,” said Dorene Red Cloud (Oglala Lakota), Eiteljorg curator of Native American art. “Those who are not already familiar with his work will become his admirers after experiencing his adaptation of how Raven brought light to the Tlingit, and Singletary will gain much more recognition — recognition that he deserves.”

Preston Singletary: Raven and the Box of Daylight is organized by the artist and Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington, and is guest curated by Miranda Belarde-Lewis (Zuni Pueblo / Tlingit), Ph.D. The multisensory visitor experience was designed by zoe I juniper. The exhibition is funded at the Eiteljorg in part by the Arthur Jordan Foundation and Robert Lehman Foundation with additional support from numerous museum donors; Raymond James, Citizens Energy, Indiana Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities are sponsors of the Eiteljorg’s presentation of the exhibit. Continuing from Nov. 8, 2024, through March 9, 2025, at the Eiteljorg, Raven and the Box of Daylight is included with regular admission.

Related public programs take place at the museum:

• Thursday Nov. 7: Members-only preview party. Registration is required, visit Eiteljorg.org/events for details.
• Friday Nov. 8: Opening day public events. At 11 a.m., artist Preston Singletary and guest curator Miranda Belarde-Lewis will lead the public on a guided tour of the gallery and hold a talk about the exhibition. At 1:30 p.m., they will give a public presentation in the Clowes Sculpture Court. Visit Eiteljorg.org/events.
• Saturday, Dec. 7: Glass workshop and demonstration. At 9 a.m., studio artists from Hot Blown Glass will hold an outdoor glass-blowing workshop where participants can create their own pieces. Registration is required, visit Eiteljorg.org/events for details. At 1 p.m., the public can watch artists from Hot Blown Glass create ornate blown-glass objects during an outdoor demonstration that is included with regular admission.
• Saturday, March 8, 2025: The same blown glass programs will be offered March 8, with the workshop at 9 a.m. (registration required) and demonstration at 1 p.m. (included with admission).

Preston Singletary (Tlingit, born 1963)
Raven Man (Yéil Káa), 2017
Blown and sand-carved glass
TX.2018.4.55, [S17-46]
Courtesy of the artist

About the Eiteljorg
For 35 years, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art has been an integral part of the cultural fabric of Indianapolis and scenic White River State Park. The Eiteljorg Museum explores the intersection of the arts, histories and cultures of the past and present by sharing the diverse stories of the American West and the Indigenous Peoples of North America. Located on the Central Canal at 500 West Washington St., the Eiteljorg is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

Editor’s Note:
Read this Nov. 1, 2024, article in the Indianapolis Business Journal, previewing the Singletary exhibition:
https://eiteljorg.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/11.1.24_Eiteljorg-Museum_Indianapolis-Business-Journal-article.pdf

Read this article in The Indianapolis Star from Nov. 8, 2024. Arts reporter Domenica Bongiovanni and photographer Michelle Pemberton posted this story and photo gallery:
https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/arts/2024/11/08/eiteljorgs-glass-exhibit-tells-how-tlingits-raven-lit-up-the-world/75367880007/

On WISH-TV8 on Nov. 7, multicultural reporter Reyna Revelle had this story about the Singletary exhibition:
https://www.wishtv.com/news/multicultural-news/tlingit-artist-preston-singletary-exhibit/

In the Indianapolis Monthly digital edition, editor Camille Graves covered the media preview tour and had this story Nov. 8:
https://www.indianapolismonthly.com/arts-and-culture/treasures-in-a-box-of-daylight/

In the Johnson County Daily Journal on Nov. 14 is this story by arts reporter Ryan Trares;
https://dailyjournal.net/2024/11/13/living-myth-traveling-exhibit-tells-story-of-raven-in-glass-sculpture/

Read this interesting interview with artist Preston Singletary in Native News Online, discussing his career, glass sculpture and heritage:
https://nativenewsonline.net/arts-entertainment/preserving-culture-in-glass-q-a-tlingit-artist-preston-singletary

Media Contacts

Bryan Corbin
Public Relations Manager
317.275.1315
bcorbin@eiteljorg.com

Brooke Sullivan
Digital Marketing Manager
317.275.1388
bsullivan@eiteljorg.com