The Seattle Prize · Founding cohort, 2025–26
Year one fellows.
In the studio
A painting from each fellow.
I · Founding fellow
Jackson Wrede
Chicago · University of Notre Dame · Kendall College of Art and Design
“Beneath the spectacle of the finished display exists the dignity of hard work.”
The Fishmongers of Pike Place Market, 2026. Oil on linen.
II · Founding fellow
Emma Garay
Southern California · Florence Academy of Art
“Painting from life continues to present puzzles and complications but never ceases to be the most rewarding and engaging of the processes I have attempted.”
The Veil Between, 2025. Oil on linen panel.
III · Founding fellow
Diego Glazer
Nebraska and Querétaro · Angel Academy of Art, Florence
“In a digital world I prefer to work with my hands.”
The Steward, 2025. Oil on linen panel.
IV · Founding fellow
Daniel Zalla
Northern Kentucky · Florence Academy of Art
“The beginning of a new painting is full of energy and potential, the middle is a brutal wrestling match, and the finishing touches during the last 10% are glorious.”
Dead Wood, 2026. Oil on linen.
V · Founding fellow
Nick Eisele
Texas · Schuler School of Fine Arts, Baltimore
“Painting always gets me in a meditative state and it puts me in the mindset to think through problems.”
The Silence Between Hours, 2026. Oil on linen.
VI · Founding fellow
Agustina Forest
Buenos Aires · Seattle
“In this case humbling allows you to listen, giving place to co-creation.”
Self-Portrait, 2026. Oil on linen.
VII · Founding fellow
Lukas Freudenberg
Germany · Florence Academy of Art
“From left to right I like to use ivory black, ultramarine blue, viridian green, transparent red oxide, alizarin crimson, cadmium red, yellow ochre and most importantly my homemade lead white.”
Defeated, 2025–26. Oil.
VIII · Artistic facilitator
Tenaya Sims
Seattle · Director, Georgetown Atelier
“Before I ventured into classical painting, I came from the world of comics and graphic novels, and this stage always reminds me of inking over a pencil draft of a page.”
Flight of Shadow, 2026. Oil on linen.