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
Bio
Her artwork has been exhibited nationally and internationally, with notable showings in Brooklyn, NY; Chicago, IL; Alexandria, Egypt; and Cleveland, OH. Rooted in themes of identity, femininity, and the intersection of politics and religion, her practice has been recognized for its thought-provoking and socially engaged approach.
Tanya is the founder of Kaiser Studios, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue between artists and STEM professionals through exhibitions, artist talks, and residency programs. As a curator, she has organized numerous exhibitions and public programs, championing diverse artistic voices and expanding opportunities for underrepresented artists.
Her professional experience includes leadership roles at Kaiser Gallery, where she served as Director & Curator, as well as positions in arts administration, community outreach, and event programming. She has been recognized for her contributions to the arts with accolades such as the Impact Award from Ingenuity Cleveland and the Community Impact Award from Tremont West Development Corp. Additionally, she is a skilled public speaker and educator, committed to fostering meaningful conversations around contemporary art.
Through her work, Tanya continues to shape the arts landscape by cultivating innovative collaborations, advocating for artists, and creating platforms for impactful engagement.
Artist Statement
As a visual artist, mother, and woman, I explore womanhood through themes of femininity, identity, and the intersection of politics and religion. My work, recognized for its boldly feminist perspective, questions societal expectations while drawing from personal experiences, particularly my upbringing in the Catholic Church with a Latina mother.
The vessel is a central motif in my practice, especially the image of the Virgin Mary, the ultimate vessel. My religious upbringing made her a dominant presence in my home, her likeness displayed on prayer cards, candles, and altars. She was the Mother we prayed to, seeking guidance and forgiveness. Through my work, I examine her humanity, her pain, and her role as a mother, moving beyond reverence to consider her suffering and sacrifice.
Recently, I have expanded my exploration of vulnerability and transformation with sculptures encrusted in sugar crystals. These pieces, such as baby onesies and comfort items, symbolize the fragility of childhood in a world that often fails to protect its most vulnerable. Sugar, both sweet and entrapping, transforms soft fabric into something rigid and untouchable, mirroring how external forces, systemic neglect, predatory influences, and cultural expectations harden innocence before it fully grows.
I frequently incorporate botanical and female forms as catalysts, recognizing their shared symbolism of fertility, beauty, and life. Yet my pieces are not pristine. Curled edges, deliberate punctures, and patina finishes convey history, resilience, and imperfection. By confronting the silencing of women’s suffering and the stigma surrounding the female form, particularly in relation to reproductive health, my work critiques the forces that shape women’s roles and bodily autonomy. Through these explorations, I seek to create dialogue and challenge notions of beauty, motherhood, and power.