MTSU’s Todd Gallery hosts exhibit by renowned illustrator Jessica Hische through Sept. 16

Middle Tennessee State University Department of Art and Design welcomes visiting artist Jessica Hische, with the opening of her exhibit, “Covered,” featuring a reception and book signing at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, in Todd Art Gallery on campus.

Following at 6 p.m. in MTSU’s Academic Classroom Building, Room 104, Hische will conduct an artist’s talk and answer questions.

All events are free and open to the public. Copies of Hische’s books will be available for purchase and signing at the reception.

On display through Saturday, Sept. 16, “Covered” highlights three of Hische’s popular and award-winning children’s books: “Tomorrow I’ll be Brave” (2018), “Tomorrow I’ll be Kind” (2020), and “Who Will U Be?” (2023).

Her talents are widely known beyond children’s books.

“I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with amazing clients — creating custom lettering artwork for established brands, classic books, postage stamps, and so much more,” Hische said.

Book cover for "In Progress: See Inside a Lettering Artist's Sketchbook and Process, from Pencil to Vector" by Jessica Hische. (Image courtesy Chronicle Books) — **Book cover for “In Progress: See Inside a Lettering Artist’s Sketchbook and Process, from Pencil to Vector” by Jessica Hische. (Image courtesy Chronicle Books)**

Clients include Wes Anderson, American Express, The New York Times, Penguin Books, Starbucks, Target, Tiffany & Co., United States Postal Service and Wired Magazine.

Early in her career she worked at Headcase Design in Philadelphia and Louise Fili Ltd in New York City before starting a freelance career and embarking on several fun projects.

One notable project was Daily Drop Cap, which featured a new illustrative letter every day and has since worked through the alphabet more than 12 times. The project’s popularity energized her career as a letterer and inspired other designers to start similar projects. Daily Drop Cap letters are found everywhere, from postcards to smartphone cases.

Several of her commercial typefaces are available in her store at Jessica Hische Shop.

Accolades include being named an ADC Young Gun, an Adweek “Creative 100,” one of Forbes 30 under 30 in Art and Design, a “Person to Watch” by GD USA, and a Print Magazine New Visual Artist (20 under 30).

In addition to design work, Hische is the author of “In Progress,” which details her creative process.

Todd Art Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. During Saturdays@Todd programs, hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit https://mtsu.edu/art/gallery-main.php to learn more.

Visitor parking information about temporary permits is available at www.mtsu.edu/parking/visit.php, and a campus map is at https://bit.ly/MTSUParkingMap.

For directions or other questions, contact Todd Gallery coordinator and director Eric Snyder at 615-898-5532 or eric.snyder@mtsu.edu.

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)