Tess Bilhartz

Tess Bilhartz grew up in Dallas, Texas, and is currently based in New York City where she teaches art at Borough of Manhattan Community College, City University of New York. Recent solo shows include Follow Me Down at Rubber Factory in 2022 and What On Earth at Super Dutchess in 2020. Residencies include the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture (2017) and the Sharpe Walentas Space Program (2013). She regularly contributes to Bomb Magazine and has written for the Brooklyn Rail.

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.