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
Sullivan Potter
Appalachian Folk ArtistWellston Ohio 45692 United States Home Phone: 7404187635 Birthday: April 7, 2004
Bio
Sullivan Potter is an Appalachian folk and narrative artist based in Wellston, Ohio. Currently studying at Ohio University, he is working toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting, expected in 2026. He plans to pursue a Master’s in Education with a focus on K-12 Art in 2027.
Sullivan’s artistic practice primarily employs graphite, colored pencil, and soft pastels, with occasional use of oil, printmaking, and bookmaking techniques. His bookmaking practice incorporates elements of storytelling and craftsmanship, reflecting his deep connection to narrative traditions. Committed to the cultural and environmental revitalization of Appalachia, he has been featured in exhibitions hosted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, such as Artists for Wildlife at the 2024 Ohio State Fair and Folk & Nature at Mohican State Park Lodge, showcasing his dedication to both local heritage and artistic innovation.
His work explores themes of shared cultural nostalgia, the art of storytelling, and his innovative use of upcycled materials and natural resources as both pigments and surfaces—emphasizing his commitment to the environment and the cultural history of Appalachia
Artist Statement
As a rural Appalachian with a southeastern Ohioan upbringing, Appalachian cultural influence finds itself rooted in each concept, detail, and intention of my artwork. My experience growing and living here within the hills and hollers has shaped every aspect of who I am. In a sense of never-ending gratitude, each artwork I produce is signed as a love letter to Appalachia.
I dedicate my work to those friends, community members, and not-so-strange strangers who have supported me and my creative ambitions even as an amateur. I dedicate my work to the rolling hills, evergreen tree lines, dusty cornfields, and worn-out buildings that hold stories I aim to amplify but can never fully capture. I dedicate my work to my family and my lineage, hailing from the coal mines of West Virginia & Kentucky, who have worked to provide a better future for each generation. A future I have the privilege of living.
My mission as an artist is to explore notions of the rural Appalachian perspective, focusing on the significance of nostalgia, household objects, and environmental subject matter. I aspire to simultaneously embrace and criticize the misunderstood perspectives of the ‘rednecks’ & the ‘hillbillies,’ while reclaiming and providing snapshots of authentic Appalachian perspectives.
I hope that my audiences, Appalachian or not, can establish connections and reflect on shared memories in their own life experiences. The stories of my audience serve as endless inspiration. To all my communities & audiences, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent your stories and culture.
Yours,
Sullivan Potter, or just “Sully”