Sheryl E. Sims is a German-born American quilter. She was appointed as the Commissioner for the Arts of Alexandria, Virginia in 2022.
Sheryl Sims | |
|---|---|
| Arts Commissioner for the City of Alexandria, Virginia | |
| Assumed office 2022 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Germany |
| Alma mater | University of Houston |
| Occupation | quilter, historian, genealogist |
Early life and family
editSims was born in Germany, where her father was stationed as an officer in the United States Army.[1] She spent part of her childhood in Thailand.[1] Sims is the fourth-great-grandfather of Andrew Cox, an American patriot.[2][1] She is also the fourth-great-granddaughter of Calvin Leary, a Louisiana planter, and a woman named Mariah, who was enslaved on his estate, Sunnsyside Plantation.[3] Sims is a 10th-great-granddaughter of the Irish Quaker colonist Valentine Hollingsworth, who was one of the signatories of William Penn's Great Charter.[4]
She was presented as a debutante in her youth.[1] She graduated with a degree in environmental design from the University of Houston.[1]
Career
editSims is a professional quilter.[5][6] In November 2023, she gave a presentation on her work at her exhibit, titled Ancestry Through Art: Discoveries Revealed in Story Quilts Inspired by Family and Faith at Pope–Leighey House on Woodlawn Plantation in Alexandria, Virginia.[7][8] Sims' art focuses on her family history, both enslaver and enslaved.[7] She was appointed as Commissioner for the Arts in Alexandria from 2022 to 2024.[1] She serves on the advisory committee for the Virginia Quilt Museum.[9]
She also works as a legal secretary in Washington, D.C.[3]
Personal life
editSims joined the Nelly Custis Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 2022.[2] She was the first person of color to be admitted as a member in her chapter.[2] In November 2022, she received the Community Service Award and the Women in the Arts Award from her chapter.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Beavers, Josh (November 8, 2022). "Woman with Webster ties has amazing story to share". Webster Parish Journal. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ a b c McGibbon, Adrienne Hoar (March 21, 2024). "Diversity is top priority for new DAR leadership". WCVE-FM. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Rowell, Kathie (October 29, 2018). "Shadow House restoration reconnects Virginia woman with her roots". Shreveport Times. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
- ^ "Sheryl Sims and the Fabric of Her Life – Art Quilting | Family Services". www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
- ^ "Viewer shares beautiful quilts crafted to relieve stress | Get Uplifted". wusa9.com. November 18, 2020.
- ^ "VPM News Focal Point | Diversity is top priority for new DAR leadership | Season 3 | Episode 5 | PBS" – via www.pbs.org.
- ^ a b "Ancestries Through Art: Discoveries Revealed with Sheryl Sims". Alexandria Living Magazine. October 20, 2023.
- ^ "Her Art Quilts Tell Stories". m.mountvernongazette.com.
- ^ "Advisory Committee". www.vaquiltmuseum.org.