House of Welcome
Designed by Dan Friday, also known as Kwul Kwul Tw (Lummi)
The House of Welcome is made up of three pieces by artist Dan Friday (Lummi name Kwul Kwul Tw). The pieces are made of concrete, bronze, Skatelite and glass. Friday wanted the pieces to be accessible to all community members, including those just passing by the Aquarium.
Grandmother Rock
This artwork is inspired by the Lummi story of Wasawetat (Grandmother Rock). The story is one of protection and safety, as a group of little crabs takes shelter under Grandmother Rock during a powerful storm. The spot beneath the Ocean Pavilion’s oculus window—with a view into a thriving reef ecosystem of sharks, rays and more—is a place where children and other people gather, just like the crabs in the story, a testament to the power of public art and connecting to the ocean.
Hear the story of Grandmother Rock
Listen to Friday’s grandfather Joseph Hillaire (1894–1967), Lummi name Kwul Kwul Tw, tell the full story of Grandmother Rock in 1950.
Spindle Whorl Portal
The circular window of the oculus reminded Friday of the “eye” of a spindle whorl, the long pole with a disk near one end that weavers use when transforming raw materials into yarn. The pattern in the oculus area’s soffit pays homage to the beautiful carvings on some Coast Salish spindle whorls. Weaving is an important part of Coast Salish culture, one that has persevered despite colonization. Renowned weaver and Lummi Nation elder Fran James (1924–2013), Lummi name Che top ie, was an inspiration to Friday throughout his journey as an artist, as were the weavers in his family.
Schaenexw Run
This collection of glass salmon continues past the opening corridor and wall of windows into the heart of the building. In Coast Salish storytelling, the chief of the salmon people leads his kin on their journey. Friday was inspired by the Coast Salish conservation practice of including a hole in fishing nets to allow the chief salmon to escape and breed. Friday and his team of fellow glass artists crafted these salmon by hand.
About the artist
Dan Friday is a member of the Lummi Nation and a Seattle-based glass artist. Friday’s work utilizes contemporary techniques while incorporating Indigenous themes. He has spent the past two decades working with artists such as Dale Chihuly, Paul Marioni, Preston Singletary and many others. He has taught at the Pilchuck School of Glass, and has had residencies at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma and the Dream Community in Tai Pei, Taiwan. His work can be found in collections around the world.
