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.
2024 Ohio Artist Registry Juried Exhibition
Shiree Houf
Costume Designer FreelanceBio
Shiree Houf is a stay at home mom who freelances as a costume designer out of her home in Pickerington, OH. Her best projects are “one & done” larger than life costumes that elicit big audience reactions for drag performances, pageants, or costume competitions. As a 2023 World of WearableArt finalist her entry, Captain King Midas, was selected to be featured introducing the Gold Section in the collectable program. Locally, she regularly participates & places in Highball Halloween’s Costume Couture Contest, easily her favorite event, as it is an opportunity to create her heart’s desire on a yearly basis. Her designs are also frequently featured in New Vision Dance Co. productions, with a variety of Columbus Theatrical companies, & as a Greater Columbus Arts Council grant recipient. Shiree has her MFA in Design from OSU and a BA in Theatre from Miami University. She is passionate about using her theatrical background to create memorable moments both on & off stage.
Artist Statement
I work primarily within the costume design world with fabrics & on dress forms, however, I often branch out to use unconventional materials in my pieces. In the past these have included, upcycled men’s neckties, broken technology bits/chips/wires, jewelry findings, & generally what most people would just consider trash. My biggest motto (inherited from my Mamaw) has been “waste not want not” & I passionately believe that being wise with our resources is imperative to the world we live in. In addition to garments worn on the body, I also create installations centered around figurative images & have entered the Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibit each year since 2022.
My art is my way of finding the happy little things in this life. Kitsch, camp, plays on words, textures, & colors are my favorites to play with! I aim to create pieces that entertain and perhaps make people smile. I’m not a dark, moody, brooding artist… While I am emotional any attempt at something more serious always takes on a twinge of humor if not completely taking a turn towards full childlike whimsy. It is the little details chosen for amusement that seem to motivate me.
I am rather organized in my process as an artist, doing my best drawings/renderings to organize my plan & then getting to work brainstorming exactly how I intend to engineer it! Many of my pieces are quite large, function in unexpected ways, & require rehearsals for the models. I seek out performers rather than traditional models for my work. With a theatrical background I am incredibly story & character driven. People who can uniquely move, come from diverse backgrounds & abilities, & who can exude & imbody a character are my favorite collaborators.
Lastly, It has been crucial in my life to aspire to do the best art I can where I am planted. I grew up in Ohio, this is my home, & I am honored to make art for the communities that have supported me while on my artistic journey. Ultimately, my coolest works of art are my two daughters. I stay at home with them while freelancing & I want them to be proud of their Mama and enjoy the art I create.