Milt Simons

Milt Simons was an important Northwest African American artist from the 1940s until his death in 1973. In addition to his skills as a painter, Simons was an educator, poet, dancer, and noted musician/composer.

Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Simons’ work reflected his varied cultural backgrounds. As a young adult he won the Disney National Art Scholarship competition but it was withdrawn when it was learned he was Black. After serving in the Army during World War II, he attended and later taught at the Burnley School of Art in Seattle. He studied under nationally known artists at the Art Students League and performed with the Katherine Dunham Dance Troupe in New York City. In Seattle he studied music at the Cornish School of Art. During his career, he owned and operated three art studios and founded two jazz ensembles. In 1968 he also co-founded the short-lived Central Area School of Performing Arts in Seattle for teaching liberal arts including an extensive curriculum in music, dance, the visual arts and writing.

Simons’ art has been exhibited regionally including the Seattle Art Museum, Frye Art Museum, Henry Art Gallery, and the Little Gallery (all in Seattle). During his lifetime he won the National Negro Women’s Association (Grand Prize), and Boeing Company Annual Art Show (Grand Prize).

For additional information visit: https://www.historylink.org/File/20823 [accessed Jan. 2021]

[source: the artist’s family and historylink.org]

For a short clip of the artist performing one of his jazz compositions: https://www.instagram.com/p/BvmIyTNArsr/?hl=en