The portrait of Ashley was completed by Studio Artist Tommy Tyler.
Ashley Pauley, Studio Director
Ashley Pauley was born and raised in Columbus and has been involved in the arts since childhood, finishing her junior and senior years of high school in the vocational Fine Arts program at Ft. Hayes.
Ashley then began working at Recreation Unlimited, a camp for children and adults with disabilities, and her passion for creating art with a purpose grew from there. She then studied Graphic Design and graduated with high honors in 2006, but her true dream was to someday work in the Fine Arts field. Her two passions finally united at Open Door where she started her career in February 2008.
Her excitement for the arts and enthusiasm for working with people with disabilities are currently reflected in her work as an Art Facilitator. Her love for illustration and spray paint can be seen in her personal art work, usually featuring fearsome and funny monsters and robots.
The portrait of Allison was completed by Studio Artist Bernadette Martin.
Allison Buenger, Media Specialist/Art Facilitator
Allison Buenger graduated from Ohio State University in 2009. She attained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in ceramics.
Her artistic focus in school tended toward the sculptural and she often incorporated other mediums in addition to ceramics.
She continues to create both two- and three-dimensional work, depending on the project or idea.
Originally from Hartville in northeastern Ohio, she has been interested in art since middle school and has continually sought out art experiences.
In addition to working at Open Door Art Studio, she also volunteers at the Wexner Center for the Arts as a docent.
The portrait of Sharon was completed by Studio Artist Wallace Peck.
Sharon Dorsey, Volunteer Coordinator/ Art Facilitator
Sharon Dorsey has been involved in the local art scene in Columbus for many years. She has participated in numerous exhibitions locally and around the country and is proud to have her artwork in collections world-wide.
She is an active member of Mother Artists at Work (MAW), Creative Arts of Women (CAW), Columbus Cowtown Lowbrow Collective, and Columbus Crafty Cotillion.
Her artwork often blurs the line between art and craft. She uses a blend of traditional craft supplies, found items, and occasionally taxidermy supplies to assemble detailed fine art pieces.
In addition to creating her signature puppets, plush items, and art dolls, she also likes to create paintings and customize vinyl toys. Her work leans toward the dark and creepy, but often incorporates an uplifting message.
The portrait of Cat was completed by Studio Artist Margaret Stromire.
Caitlin Lynch, Gallery and Art Facilitator
Cat Lynch attended Ball State University, where she graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Growing up in small towns in Illinois and Indiana, she has been interested in art since early childhood. She has shown in exhibitions throughout the Midwest and around the country, both in galleries and in non-traditional spaces. A multidisciplinary artist, she uses a wide range of materials ranging from drawing and painting to performance and installation. Her work often utilizes invented narratives and simple symbols to tell autobiographical, highly personal stories.
The portrait of Cody was completed by Studio Artist Brenda Blankenship.
Cody Heichel Supplies Coordinator/ Art Facilitator
Cody Heichel was born in the small town of Wooster, Ohio. After taking interest in the arts as a child, he pursued art education throughout high school and into college at Kent State University. He furthered his training by enrolling in community classes at The Wayne Center for the Arts and attending workshops hosted by key members of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. He recently moved to Columbus in search of an exciting and fulfilling career in the arts, and found the path he had hoped for at Open Door Art Studio. In his personal artwork, he primarily creates expressionistic-style watercolor paintings, and he has completed numerous commissioned pieces throughout his hometown and surrounding areas. In addition to his interest in visual arts, he has played guitar since middle school and enjoys writing, recording, and performing music locally.
