Milton Gore on Art and Impact
Milton Gore, Jr,. M.Ed.
Graphic Designer and Digital Artist
Milton Gore sees art everywhere. In a face, in a fleeting moment, in a quiet expression. “I literally can look at someone and see an art piece,” he tells us. That kind of vision has shaped his work as a digital mixed-media artist and designer, and it’s what led him to build his own business, M.G. Visual Studios.
“Branding is a long journey. You’re making sure everything from the smallest to the biggest thing matches what your brand is trying to say.”
Advertisement for 2025 NC Black Film Festival designed by Milton Gore
Raised in Brunswick County, North Carolina, Milton has always been drawn to storytelling through visual expression. He studied Fine Arts at UNC Pembroke with a focus on digital art and advertising. Over time, that passion turned into a creative career. Today, he splits his time between his art practice and his full-time role in higher education, supporting transfer students at UNC Wilmington.
What sets Milton apart is the way he blends people and purpose into every piece. He often works with models, photographing them himself or using images they’ve shared, then layering illustration and graphic design into portraits that center Black and Brown subjects. “Expressions and mannerisms can speak so many words,” he says. “Sometimes I start with one idea, but the final piece turns into something completely different. And that’s fine. It’s still beautiful.”
“When I look at someone or a photo I’m drawing, within seconds I’m already thinking of all the different creative ways this could turn out.”
His creativity is always in motion, but it’s grounded in legacy. “My son inspires me,” he says. “I want to leave something behind that shows him he can do whatever he sets his mind to.” Milton also credits his faith, his partner, his parents, and his mentor, Dr. Bledsoe, founder of SAAB (Formerly known as Student African American Brotherhood), for shaping his journey. “They don’t just support me. They challenge me and bring value to what I’m doing.”
Logo design work by Milton Gore
“They don’t even realize they’re also helping me and impacting me.”
This summer, his work will be featured at vendor pop-ups across the state and in an exhibit at the Bellamy Mansion Museum in Wilmington. “It’s a historic place with a lot of weight,” he says. “Having two Black artists featured there matters.”
When asked what advice he has for new creatives, Milton Gore doesn’t hesitate. “Put your work out there. Don’t wait for the right time because the right time is now. Something is better than nothing.”
And when he says that, it’s not just advice. It’s how he’s lived his story.
See more of Milton’s work at mgvisualstudios.com
