Richard Royal

Richard Royal, a native of the Northwest, is recognized internationally as one of the most skilled and talented glassblowers in the studio glass movement.

Royal began working as a glass sculptor in 1978 at the Pilchuck Glass School, located north of Seattle. After spending a number of years as a ceramist, the birth of a new artistic movement appealed to the young artist.

Royal worked his way through the ranks to find himself as one of Dale Chihuly's main gaffers. This relationship lasted for a number of years and consequently led to Royal's emergence in the art market in the 1980's. Royal has since been an independent artist exhibiting work internationally in both solo and group exhibitions.

Royal's work is found in such noteworthy museum collections as The Mint Museum of Art + Design, The High Museum, the New Orleans Museum of Art , The Tampa Museum of Art, and the Daiichi Museum (Japan).

Royal was one of the first Artists-in-Residences at the Waterford Crystal Factory and he continues to teach as both a guest artist and faculty member at various universities and the Pilchuck Glass School. His artwork is also included in the SAFECO Collection, PricewaterhouseCoopers, IBM, and the Westinghouse Corporation.