Visiting Artists for Studio Arts Mini Portfolio Day

October 7, 2024

On Monday, October 7, Perpich hosted two visiting artists: Grover Hogan, Lead Educator at the Walker Art Center and multimedia studio artist; and Essence Enwere, graphic & type designer who loves helping people and brands tell stories.

Alongside the Perpich Studio Arts faculty, the visiting artists reviewed art portfolios and provided feedback to our seniors in Visual Arts and Media Arts. Their comments served to make improvements and edits for our upcoming Portfolio Day with visiting colleges on Monday, October 14th. The visiting artists will be back to share details about their own art and processes in the near future.

“Every year, to assist our students in preparation for Portfolio Day with colleges, we offer a Mini Portfolio day the week before where we invite visiting artists from the community to join the studio arts teachers in providing portfolio personal feedback to each Studio Arts senior,” said Kathryn D’Elia, Visual Arts Instructor and Studio Arts Chair. “This year, each student was able to have two portfolio reviews, advising on what their portfolio is missing, what could be re-photographed, reorganized, or presented differently, as well as what would be added to further tie their work together. We were so glad to have local artists, Grover Hogan and Essence Enwere, with us this year, who brought their diverse experience as artists and educators to the table for our students.”

Grover Hogan is a queer, Black, and Mexican artist from Houston, Texas, currently based in Minneapolis, MN. They received their Bachelor of Fine Arts from Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Fine Arts Studio, Drawing, and Painting with a minor in Teaching Art. Hogan is currently a Lead Educator at the Walker Art Center and multimedia studio artist. They are an artist in residence at Public Functionary’s Incubator Residency and have been featured in various gallery exhibitions. They have been featured in Teen Vogue, Houstonia Magazine, and various other publications as a model and brand ambassador. As a muralist, they have worked with Public Functionary, Creatives after Curfew, and Midtown Global Market, and their murals can be found throughout the Twin Cities.

Essence Enwere is a passionate graphic, designer, type enthusiast, motion designer, and book artist based in the Twin Cities. They’ve immersed themselves in the world of typography, honing their skills in font design, calligraphy, and hand lettering. Over the years, their dedication to the craft has deepened, and they’ve garnered invaluable insights into the nuanced art of typography. Their journey has been marked by a steadfast commitment to learning and growth, and they eagerly anticipate the continued evolution of their craft. Central to their mission is the desire to expand people’s appreciation and understanding of typography and lettering. Beyond mere words, type possesses the power to convey emotions, tell stories, and evoke sensations—it is an art form deserving of recognition and celebration. Their portfolio encompasses a diverse range of projects, from type design, illustrative lettering, artist books & zines, 2D & 3D animations, branding & identity, and art direction. In each endeavor, their passion, diligence, and unwavering pursuit of excellence shine through. Essence is deeply enamored with telling stories that resonate the human condition and culture, that make people feel connected and heard.