Tess Cortés began her formal training in art at Wright State University where she graduated with a BFA in drawing and painting in 1997. She earned her MFA in electronic art from the University of Cincinnati in 2003, and also worked as the Gallery Manager for UC’s DAAP Galleries Downtown.
She recently curated the exhibition "Relics and Constellations" and published a catalogue of works by hybrid artist Paul Catanese.
As an artist, she has participated in a number of festivals and exhibitions nationally and internationally, including the Kunstzentrum Massurreal in Berlin, Germany, The AutuMedia Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the V.I.P. Gallery in Belgrade, Serbia.