David Franklin

The Sun Lodge

a collaboration with Preston Singletary inspired by his creative journey

The Sun Lodge at the new Johnson Science Building Pierce College Puyallup Washington
The Sun Lodge at the new Johnson Science Building Pierce College Puyallup Washington
photo by: www.zocalostudios.com 
The Sun Lodge at the new Johnson Science Building Pierce College Puyallup Washington
The Sun Lodge located in front of Johnson Science Building Pierce College Puyallup Washington
photo by: www.zocalostudios.com 
the shadows align for the summer equinox in the Sun Lodge
the shadows align for the summer equinox in the Sun Lodge Photo by: www.zocalostudios.com 
Thunderbird casts its shadow from the apex of the Sun Lodge
Thunderbird casts its shadow from the apex of the Sun Lodge. Photo by: www.zocalostudios.com 
the sun shaped shadow aligns with the fir pit of cast glass stones in the Sun Lodge
the sun shaped shadow aligns with the fir pit of cast glass stones in the Sun Lodge
Photo by: www.zocalostudios.com 
The structure of the Sun Lodge is inspired by a simple structure made of bent branches for the sweat lodge in which Preston found his creative path.
The structure of the Sun Lodge is inspired by a simple structure made of bent branches for the sweat lodge in which Preston found his creative path. Photo by: www.zocalostudios.com 

The Sun Lodge

Preston Singletary and David Franklin

2024

stainless steel, cast glass and ceramic printed laminated glass

Commissioned by: Washington State Arts Commission in partnership with the Pierce College, Puyallup, WA

Inspired by Preston Singletary’s cultural and spiritual awakening in a humble sweat lodge at Pilchuck Glass School. This was an experience that ignited his career.

The Sun Lodge is intended to be a place of reflection and peace and a portal into a different perception of time and one’s position in the universe.. 

 As the sun makes its annual journey from solstice to solstice the Sun Lodge is a way of tracking that journey.  As the days lengthen to summer, the shadows from the sun shaped apex of the structure with Thunderbird’s image on the glass lens at its center will begin to enter the Sun Lodge. At the summer solstice the sun shape will frame the fire pit on the floor of the Sun Lodge.  It is also a reminder of the long history of indigenous intellectualism in this land.