The portrait of Courtney was completed by Studio Artist Junior Smith.
Courtney Yoakum, Studio Director
Courtney Yoakum was born in Indiana where she grew up a “farmer’s daughter”. Aspiring to be an artist from a young age, she was awarded the opportunity to study at the Art Institute of Chicago while still attending high school. From there, Courtney received the National Scholastics Hallmark and Portfolio Award. This afforded her a scholarship to Columbus College of Art and Design where she studied Fine Arts and received her BFA.
Currently, Courtney is an experienced professional in the field of developmental disabilities. She started her career with Columbus Center for Human Services Inc. January 2001 in the Recreations Therapy Department and has been the Studio Director of Open Door Art Studio since its inception in 2007. She provides consultation services in order to help burgeoning art studios create established programs. Her areas of expertise include: Developing programming unique to each individual’s cognitive and physical abilities, providing behavior support, encouraging staff development, promoting studio growth, using a collaborative art process, sharing various materials and mediums, and marketing both the studio and studio artists’ work.
Courtney continues to be practicing artist and enjoys painting and creating jewelry. She currently sells her jewelry at several local galleries, including Open Door. Courtney’s favorite thing about Open Door is the positive energy that thrives from the creative, nurturing environment within the studio.
The portrait of Ashley was completed by Studio Artist Tommy Tyler.
Ashley Pierce, Art Facilitator
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, 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, 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.
