Artwork copyright Orlosky Studio. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2025.

Artwork copyright Orlosky Studio. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2025.

Artwork copyright Orlosky Studio. Photo courtesy of the artists, 2025.

Artwork copyright Orlosky Studio. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2025.

Artwork copyright Orlosky Studio. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2025.

Deaf Pride, 2025

Orlosky Studio
Andrea Orlosky ( ) - Kevin Orlosky (American (born 1981))

Location: Washington School for the Deaf, Vancouver

About the Artwork

Deaf Pride by Orlosky Studio is one of three suspended glass sculptures that are visualizations of American Sign Language messages. The sculptures are a daily reminder for students at the Washington School for the Deaf (WSD) in Vancouver, Southwest Washington that “You are important,” “We can do anything,” and to have “Deaf Pride.” The sculptures also highlight the beauty of sign language. All together, this series of three sculptures is titled We Belong.

In 2024, Orlosky Studio worked with students and staff at the at the Washington School for the Deaf to create messages that celebrate Deaf Pride and American Sign Language. Messages were created by 128 students and staff. The movements of each message were captured by having each signer wear gloves with lights attached to the fingers. Long exposure photography was then used to capture their hand movements as they signed their message. Three of these messages were selected by the students to be transformed into these permanent, blown glass sculptures that illustrate the forms of this visual language. Each finger is represented by a different color. All 128 messages are compiled in a book that can be found in the Center's library.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth (CDHY).

About the Artist

Orlosky Studio creates public art based on community engagement. The founders, Andrea Orlosky and Kevin Orlosky, both graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Georgia in 2004. Kevin Orlosky also earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, Canada, in 2024. They also founded and run Art on Wheels, an arts therapy non-profit organization based in British Columbia that reaches thousands of people annually.