Charles Friedman was a gregarious extrovert, consummate story teller and museum prankster. He was passionate about his glass blowing and ceramics and loved working around art and art exhibitions. He encouraged fellow artists and crafters and was a mentor to many.Charles grew up in Port Angeles and Seattle, with two brothers Richard and Marvin. Parents Stanley and Sylvia provided a real Northwest lifestyle with fishing, clamming and crabbing. In order to impress their California cousins they all learned to waterski on one ski. Charles and his mom moved to Los Angeles in 1967 where he finished high school. He attended colleges in Los Angeles and San Diego.
Charles moved back to Port Angeles to produce wheel thrown functional pottery in his home studio. He was known as “Charley the Potter” and started the Friedman gallery on the pier in Port Angeles. In 1989 Charles married Melinda and moved to Seattle. Over the years he sold his glasswork and ceramics at many craft fairs and galleries in the Pacific Northwest, CA and HI. At craft fairs you could always find Charles by his Hawaiian shirt, smile and big red beard.
Charles was known for Friedman Glassworks hand blown glass “Shilshole Seashells” and as an Art Handler/Prep/installer at Seattle Art Museum. He also worked for Bellevue Art Museum and Artech.Charles was a member of the PNW Glass Guild and the inventor of “Charley’s Deadman Switch” a safety tool for glassblowers. He also authored a museum quality book with a tounge-in-cheek story about his blown glass Seashells titled “Shilshole Seashells from the Salish Sea”.
Charles has thrown off his body to reach for the spiritual stars. He passed away peacefully at home on July 5, 2024. He will be truly missed by his wife Melinda and niece Bettina; nephews Andrew, Lance and Eric along with many relatives, friends and coworkers.Celebration of Life to take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations to CERF+ would be appreciated (Craft Emergency Relief Fund) www.cerfplus.org