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
Michael Stevens
Independant ArtistBio
Mike was born and grew up in Indianapolis Indiana. Art was always a part of his life through after school programs which allowed him to nurture his artistic creativity. During high school he was able to take glass blowing classes at the Broad Ripple Art Center and he was hooked. Having the opportunity to attend and graduate Bowling Green State University in Ohio was the experience he needed to gain confidence in his art. Because of this experience he committed to opening a glass blowing studio in Toledo Ohio with his friends Adam Goldberg and Eli Lipman in 2012. Gathered Glass Studio became a beloved art location in the Warehouse District of Downtown Toledo over the next twelve years. Through the business Mike was able to hone his craft of glassblowing and also have the opportunity to work on large scale public art.
The public art aspect of this business quickly became one of his favorite aspects to focus on and soon their work was all over town from Promedica Hospital to the Toledo Zoo and even on a Norwegian Cruise Ship. Owning a business is obviously about more than the fun side of things and Mike took on the role of studio manager/ technician. Along with repairing equipment he was in charge of overseeing all purchases made for the shop and handling all the scheduling for workshops.
In 2024 Mike and Adam decided to sell the business and Gathered Glass Studio was no more. Currently Mike is focusing his efforts on his own artwork without the distraction of owning a business and spending time and family and friends.
Artist Statement
In my Candy Kitchen Cutlery series, I combine my love of exploring color with my technical
knowledge and skills in glass fabrication. My work is focused on fun and whimsy, the colors I
use are bright and exciting and this brings my shapes to life. I like to play with transparency
and light where it is appropriate and helps them have more than one dimension. My paintings
are exercises in line and pattern work that help me explore colors in relation to one another.
The Candy Kitchen Cutlery series draws inspiration from my paintings and allow me to give the
colors form. The cutlery allows people to interact with the colors in space which is important to
me. The shapes and scale are designed to create wonder and imagination for what these
objects might be used for and allow your mind to wander.
Utilizing glass in my work gives me the ability to play with depth and richness of colors which
allows me to bring dimensionality to my 2D ideas. I paint in order to find the color combinations
that speak to me and then do my best to find glass color combinations to do the same.
Drawing inspiration from familiar shapes allows the work to connect with people in their own
special way. Those personal connections gives the colors a pathway to the individual and
hopefully allows the colors to speak to them the way they do to me