Ray Sim

Ray Sim is a Coast Salish artist born in Comox on Vancouver Island in 1968. His mother Christine Sim, is from the Qualicum First Nation on Vancouver Island. Ray grew up in Port Alberni on Vancouver Island but also has close familial ties to the Gitksan through his grandfather.

Ray’s first exposure to Northwest Coast Art was when he was 11, when he attended art classes with Nuu-chah-nulth (Hupacasath) artist Ron Hamilton. Ray received two years of formal training at the Kitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Art at K’san Village located in Hazelton, British Columbia. He also received two years of instruction in the arts programs of Malaspina College in Nanaimo, British Columbia, as well as at North Island College in Port Alberni. He has taught art at both the Ha-ho-payuk School and the Friendship Centre in Port Alberni, and has instructed students on the Qualicum Reserve and at Parksville Malaspina Campus.