In 2005 the Burke Museum hosted the traveling exhibit, "Fusing Traditions: Transformations in Glass by Native American Artists." Preston Singletary was one of the featured artists and demonstrated glass-making techniques outside the front of the museum. He created a small killer whale. Some months later, the Burke contacted Mr. Singletary, hoping to acquire the whale. The piece was incomplete and it had been destroyed. In response, long-time Burke supporters, Doug and Thelma McTavish, commissioned a new piece for the museum's permanent collection. On November 23, 2008, friends and supporters of the Burke and the Museum of Glass in Tacoma gathered at the MOG Hot Shop to watch as Singletary created this glass killer whale.