Raven Skyriver

Born in 1982, Raven Skyriver (Tlingit) was raised in the San Juan Islands. Growing up connected to the land, and its surrounding waters, and living in a creative household where carvers came to learn Northwest Coast style carving and design helped push him towards an artistic path.

At the age of 16 Raven was introduced to glass by a family friend, and mentor Lark Dalton, and was immediately captivated by the medium. Exploring every opportunity to work in glass led to Raven being invited to work with Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen for the William Morris team in 2003. This was his introduction to sculptural glass, and where building a vocabulary for narrative in his work began. In 2018 Raven returned to the island where he was born and he and his wife Kelly O’Dell constructed a home studio. where they could create their art.

Raven continues his artistic practice by utilizing close observation of his sculptural subjects to create an ongoing personal dialogue. This inner conversation touches on the celebration of biodiversity, his understanding of his heritage, the importance of Native species, the gifts those beings bring to their communities, and the delicate balance that sustains our collective existence.