Tenaya Sims
2025 FellowTenaya Sims is an artist and instructor based in Seattle. After earning a B.F.A. from Carnegie Mellon University, he worked in the video game industry for clients including Crystal Dynamics and Activision. He later dedicated five years to the full-time study of classical drawing and painting, attending the Watts Atelier for one year before apprenticing with Juliette Aristides for four years. In 2008, Sims founded Georgetown Atelier, where he has served as Director for the past seventeen years. He has exhibited at the Salmagundi Club, the MEAM Museum as part of the ARC Salon, and Abend Gallery, and was awarded Best in Show at the twelfth International ARC Salon Competition.
Seattle Prize work
Made during the fellowship. Where the process was shared, a painting opens to every stage, from first sketch on.
Earlier work
From the portfolio: work made before or outside the fellowship.