Originally from Asheville, Jesse Patete studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a senior Studio Art BA and Human Development and Family Science double major.
His art centers on childhood and play. He works across media, specializing in printmaking and ceramics. His most recent work involves the gum dichromate process. Jesse has spent time with artists such as Kent Ambler, Andy Farkas, Ani Volkan, and Alan Dehmer. He has received formal instruction from Taro Takizawa, Beth Grabowski, Martín Wannam, Myongsin Choi, Bob Goldstein, and many other faculty at UNC Chapel Hill. He previously worked at Highwater Clays before the factory's destruction during Hurricane Helene. He currently works at The ArtsCenter in Carrboro, educating and working with young artists.
In 2019, 2022, and 2023, Jesse showed work at the Asheville Art Museum after being awarded various keys from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.
Jesse is currently completing his senior honors thesis, which examines play as a subject and method of artistic inquiry. In the Spring of 2026, Jesse spent a semester studying art in Florence, Italy. With help from Isabella Fazzo and Patricia Cordoba, Jesse learned new skills in relief and pottery.
Jesse plans to pursue a Master's of Fine Arts after graduation. He has been published in Cellar Door three times, the oldest undergraduate literary journal at UNC. His passion lies in education, much like his mother.