The Ohio Artist Registry (OAR) is an exciting opportunity for artists to share their work, connect with the creative community, and establish an online presence—all on a free, virtual platform! The OAR encourages artists working in all art forms, throughout Ohio and beyond,  to create a profile, which allows them to better promote themselves and their work. Being listed in the OAR provides artists with new opportunities to share their work with clients, galleries, patrons, and audiences. A listing in the OAR does not confer an endorsement, approval, or verification by the Ohio Arts Council.
For more information, contact Kathy Signorino, artist programs director, at kathy.signorino@oac.ohio.gov or 614-728-6140.

Cailyn Skiles

Art Student Denison University

Bio

Cailyn is a student at Denison University in Granville, Ohio.  While still on the road to discovering her future career, she has found that all paths always lead her back to art.  A student of visual arts, Cailyn has specialized in painting and drawing.  Cailyn loves to draw on people, animals and experiences from her own life and create unexpected visual representations of them.  Cailyn graduated from Gahanna Lincoln High School in 2025 and as a youth artist was honored with recognition from the Scholastic Art Competition, the Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Awards, the Ohio State Fair Youth Art Awards and the Congressional Youth Art Competition.  

Artist Statement

Why do you create art?  I’ve stared at these words for so long that they’ve lost all their meaning.  Why?  I’ve never really thought about why until now.  Maybe it’s because I’ve been doing it for so long that I can’t imagine not creating art.  When I was five years old, I went through the trials and errors of trying to discover my thing.  I tried ballet.  I tried soccer.  I tried gymnastics.  Nothing stuck.  But then I asked my mom if I could try art lessons.  That stuck.  I don’t think I understood at such a young age, but the reason art clicked with me was because it ignited that creative spark in my brain.  Of course, art has taught me skills such as drawing and painting, but it’s also taught me to embrace my imagination, problem solve and look beyond the surface.  I create because when my brain finds a source of inspiration, it will form an idea that needs to be brought to life.  I find inspiration in many different ways, including through art prompts, photo albums and my family.   I create with the intention of telling a story that others can relate or feel drawn to, because creating art allows me to share my thoughts without speaking a word.  For the future, I hope that I can hone my art making skills and expand my comfort zone – trying things I’ve never done before and challenging myself with every new project.