The Closer-Raven Skyriver

Contemporary glass artist, Raven Skyriver will wrap up the end of the First Nation exhibition at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art on Monday, Sept. 4.

Raven’s glass creations are included in EMERGENCE Legendary & Emerging First Nation Artists at SJIMA. His gallery talk at 4 p.m. on Labor Day will be the grand finale of this exceptional show. In celebration of the exhibition and talk, the entry fee will be suspended from 3:30 until 6 that day.

Raven will follow his gallery walk with a presentation of his work in the museum’s upstairs workshop.

Raven Skyriver – Tacoma Museum of Glass photo

Talking about the inspiration for his work Raven, of the Tlingit tribe, states, “Some of my most memorable moments in life are those of having my first salmon on the line, or a humpback whale feeding off the bow of my kayak. These unforgettable experiences dictate the work I make today.”

“I attempt to capture the essence of the animals that I depict, and speak to the viewers’ own understanding of these creatures. I also hope to draw into question the delicate balance of nature that is, often taken for granted.”

Skyriver’s work has been shown nationally and internationally at the Ebeltoft Glass Museum in Denmark, Stonington Gallery in Seattle, Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, WA and he has taught at the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY, to name a few.

This program is the last in a series of interpretive events accompanying the exhibition EMERGENCE Legendary & Emerging First Nation Artists which will close at 6 p.m. on September 8.

Raven Skyriver and assistant at work

The sponsors of EMERGENCE are Dave & Nancy Honeywell Charitable Trust, Kim Miller, Susan and Gary Sterner, Peg Gerlock and Phil Johnson, Attorney Stephanie Johnson O’Day, Mike’s Wine Bar and Café, Printonyx and Harbor Rentals.

A BIG THANK YOU also goes to the more than 40 volunteers putting in more than 1000 hours from throughout the San Juan Islands community to make this unique exhibition possible.

For more details go to www.sjima.org.   SJIMA is located at 540 Spring Street in Friday Harbor WA. The hours are Thursday-Monday 11-6. Admission is $10 and is free to members and those under 18. Every third Monday of the month is free to all.

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