Creativity was fostered in me by my family from an early age. Living without TV and knowing our rich cultural heritage of the Lummi Nation, meant that making things with our hands was a regular activity. I typically work with simple themes and forms, and often employ subtle silhouettes when making my totems. It is a pleasure seeing inanimate objects taking on a life of their own. The more narrative work is usually a personal expression or a means of processing a life event, often with a underlying statement.

When I saw glass blowing for the first time, it felt as though I grew an inch! That is to say, a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. I had finally figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up. This was no small feat for someone who, as a youth, was rebellious and misguided. Glass altered my life. In spite of my colorful past, and by the grace of a loving community, I found my passion in glass.

Living as an artist may not be directly saving the world, but perhaps we are saving ourselves and hopefully, in the process, making the world a better place.

Daniel Joseph Friday is a Native of the Lummi Nation and a lifelong resident of Washington State’s Puget Sound region. Drawing from cultural themes and using modern processes, Friday’s work is contemporary in format while maintaining basic Native American qualities. Dan has spent the past two decades working with artists such as Dale Chihuly, Paul Marioni, and Preston Singletary. Friday lives in Seattle, where he maintains an independent glass studio. His work can be found in collections around the world.

 2007-present Owner / Operator of a small hot shop, gallery, and studio, in Seattle’s historic Fremont district

Dale Chihuly Boathouse Studio 2000-present; Worked primarily as a glass blower to collaborate with other studio staff on Chihuly glass designs that involved a full spectrum of studio events and activities.  This experience has led to expanded and perfected technical skills in glass working and increased insight into the relationship and interaction between artist and public.

Pilchuck Glass School 2006-present Works as a Teacher, Gaffer, and Coordinator for the Hot Shop, and Wood and metals dept. Fabricates and facilitates works for international artists.

James Mongrain 2009-present Assisted on many various glass blowing projects, domestically and abroad.

Tacoma Glass Museum 2004-Present Worked on specialized team of glass sculptors, demonstrating a variety of methods so as to educate the public about the medium of glass. 

Personal assistant for Paul Marioni, Casting, and cold working glass tiles for a large scale installation and various other tasks.

Collaborated and assisted prominent artists, in the creation of, major glass art commissions and installations.  Artists include James Drake, Nicolas Africano, Wendy Maruyama, and Charles Ledray to name a few.

The Glass Eye Studio 1997-1999 Active in all facets of large scale, glass production factory from design to maintenance and fabrication of studio equipment.