In 2013 the first monumental glass totem pole was completed in the town of Železný Brod , Czech Republic. Created by Seattle artist Preston Singletary, this exquisite seven foot sculpture, “Family Story Totem,” relates the narrative of Singletary’s Tlingit great grandmother and her pet bear cub. Singletary’s unusual life story and professional background produced a unique set of circumstances to turn this immense idea into a reality. “Modern Creation Story" recounts Singletary’s journey to create a first of its kind work. This sculpture and journey melds Singletary’s strong cultural Tlingit heritage with European glassmaking traditions and his modernist approach to contemporary art.
