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.
2025 Ohio Artist Registry Juried Exhibition
Douglas Becht
Bio
Douglas Becht (b. 1985 in Cleveland, Ohio; lives and works near Wooster, Ohio) is a contemporary mixed media artist best known for his distinctive approach influenced by Pop Art, Neo Expressionism, and a hint of cubism. His artworks delve into the human experience, nostalgia, and modern society.
Becht’s process is intuitive and experimental, driven by an interest in storytelling through fragmented visuals. By disrupting conventional forms and reassembling them in unexpected ways, he seeks to create a space for introspection and discovery.
Becht’s notable group exhibitions include the 80th Annual May Show, Mansfield Art Center, Mansfield, Ohio in 2025 and “I Only Have Eyes for You” in 2024 at UNDERSTORY, located in Cleveland, Ohio. His work is in the permanent collection of Ashland University.
Artist Statement
I am an American mixed-media artist known for combining collage with traditional media to create abstract works featuring figurative elements. My artistic practice centers on exploring themes of life, the human experience, and nostalgia. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant spirit of 1960s Pop Art and influenced by Neo-Expressionism and Cubism, my work encourages viewers to reflect on their own perceptions of contemporary life and society.
I incorporate a wide range of materials, primarily paper—sourced from newspapers, magazine advertisements, both vintage and modern, as well as product packaging. These familiar yet fleeting artifacts serve as a foundation for layered compositions that fuse the past with the present. I often integrate distorted drawings or paintings of figures resembling those found in Golden Age comic books, adding narrative depth to the abstraction.
My process is intuitive and experimental, driven by an interest in storytelling through fragmented visuals. By disrupting conventional forms and reassembling them in unexpected ways, I seek to create a space for introspection and discovery.
Ultimately, my goal is to provoke thought and invite dialogue. I encourage viewers to engage actively with the work, to construct personal interpretations, and to find resonance in the interplay between memory, identity, and imagination.
