Artist of Color Cohort
Anna Wang
Carlos Roybal
Zeapoe Matalda
Photos by Jared Eischen
The Artist of Color Cohort program connects emerging artists with established artist mentors and resources to help them cultivate successful careers in the arts.
Over six months, participants attend in-person meetings and have one-on one sessions with the mentors. Discussions range from writing an artist statement to marketing. Cohort members are awarded a $1,000 grant at the end of the Cohort. Additionally, they receive a professional headshot and a short video, plus a feature article in The Forum.
Interested in participating in the next cohort?
Please contact The Arts Partnership.
Meet Cohort II
Anna Wang
Anna is a self-taught, Minnesota based, indigenous bead artist who specializes in flat stitch beading.
“My personal style reflects Ojibwe florals with hints of Traditional Tattoo Flash,” Anna said. “I like to use black outlines, bright colors, and simple shading because this combination makes a simple, clean design stand out in a clear, bold way. I create beadwork as a way to connect and celebrate my culture while also fostering mindfulness.”
Carlos Roybal
Drawing from the wells of culture, the sciences, and a love for the outrageous, Carlos uses illustrative art to push boundaries and inspire.
“The amalgamation of culture and practice grant me the ability to breathe life into the worlds and designs that I create for my audience to enjoy. Color and form tell the story when my words cannot. My hope is these elements of my work encourage others to learn and connect.”
Zeapoe Matalda
Zeapoe’s artistry is centered around the process of film production and music composition, and developing the tenacity to take on the entertainment industry.Â
“I began my career with my goal set on becoming a singer-songwriter based on my love for the power of storytelling,” Zeapoe said. “I wanted to share my unique perspective of the world as a first-generation daughter of immigrants from West Africa, Liberia. I aspire to become a prestigious musical performer and film director who emulates what it means to be undefeated and unapologetically myself.”
Videos by Oscar DeLeon
Cohort I
Whitney Johnson
Whitney Johnson is a self-taught artist from the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, now based inMoorhead, Minnesota. Her work spans multiple media, including watercolor, acrylic, mixed media, and beadwork/quillwork. Drawing from her upbringing on the reservation and her Lakota heritage, Whitney brings a contemporary lens to traditional concepts, such as Kapemni (sacred harmony/balance). Whitney’s work is a celebration of her culture, a reflection of her life’s journey, and a tribute to the wonder of the natural world that inspires her art. With every piece, she invites viewers to see the beauty in all of life’s experiences, offering a blend of tradition and innovation that speaks to both personal and collective narratives.
Sewit Eskinder
Sewit Eskinder is a multi-disciplinary artist living and working in Fargo, North Dakota. Sewit grew up singing and eventually pursued a degree at North Dakota State University, studying classical voice and music education; but, in her final semester at NDSU, she unexpectedly discovered poetry. From there, her love of writing poetry blossomed, and now she finds herself learning more about the beauty of words through singing, reading, writing, and storytelling. Sewit’s latest project is a book of poetry that weaves her emotive and reflective words into nostalgia-filled narratives.
LexX Francis
LexX Francis (they/them) has lived for a little over a quarter of century at varying degrees of Blk/Indigenous, Queer, Trans, and Fat. Growing up between Kansas City, MO and Fargo, ND has given them nothing if not perspective. They have found it difficult in the world to find leaders that look/feel like them at all, so they strive to become the leader they always wished they could look up to. At 26 years old, they have worked through non-profits, worker/owner co-ops, theatre projects and most importantly poetry to enlighten, engage, and inspire the community that surrounds them. With a local 2025 MLK Human Rights Award fresh on their feet, they hope to continue to be an integral motivator to the communities they call their own and to anyone who has ever been told to choose less than their full selves.
Videos by Be Told
Cohort team
Maia Kim, program manager
As the Artist of Color Cohort program manager, Maia provides mentorship, connection and community to emerging artists in order to further their artistic careers. She also serves as an art therapist at a mental health hospital and several addiction and recovery centers in Fargo.
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Mentors
Danielle Gravon, Chief Curator, Plains Art Museum
Yann Niteka, marketing consultant
Laura Youngbird, artist and educator
Past Mentors
Oscar De Leon, filmmaker
Anna Johnson, artist
Isaiah Johnson, artist
Emily Vieweg, Poet
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Gratitude to our partners
Thanks to Xcel Energy Foundation for their initiating and continuing support of this program. Â
Oscar De Leon
