From Artist to Teacher through Mentorship

At Open Door Art Studio (ODAS), the journey of learning never stops, and for some artists, that means taking on new roles and responsibilities to help guide others. In May, ODAS artist Maddie Wright began a transformative journey, learning the skills necessary to become an Assistant Teacher. Under the guidance of Creative Mentor Julieta Manrique, Maddie started honing the foundational techniques she will need as she progresses in her artistic career and prepares to share her knowledge with others.

Maddie’s journey began with a focus on the essential skills that every art assistant needs—everything from teaching methods to a deeper understanding of various artistic processes. Julieta, with her extensive experience, became an invaluable mentor to Maddie, helping her develop these key techniques that will serve her well in the future.

One of the most exciting moments came in October, when the studio finally received a long-awaited part for their pottery wheel. For months, the team had been eagerly anticipating this crucial piece of equipment, and when it arrived, there was a palpable sense of excitement throughout the studio. However, no one was more thrilled than Julieta and Maddie, who knew that with the pottery wheels back in action, they were about to reach a new stage in their work together.

Now Maddie has begun taking the next steps in her artistic development. As she inches closer to becoming an Assistant Teacher, the time is coming up for her to start teaching classes to her peers. What started as a personal growth opportunity for Maddie is now about to expand into a chance to share her knowledge and inspire others through the art of teaching.

This is just the beginning of Maddie’s exciting journey at Open Door Art Studio, where learning, creating, and teaching are all interconnected. We can’t wait to see the incredible work Maddie will do as she moves forward, teaching and inspiring her peers and the next generation of artists.

Follow along as Maddie makes progress toward her goal and shares her passion for art with others!

Christopher Cole’s Artistic Triupmh

After months of dedicated work, ODAS artist Christopher Cole has completed custom portraits of Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Vice President Kamala Harris—showcasing his exceptional talent and confidence. A proud member of Open Door Art Studio, Christopher has become well-known for his custom portraits of public figures and loved ones.

In the wake of a devastating 2022 flood that destroyed many irreplaceable works of art at the Ohio Association of County Boards’ (OACB) offices, the completion of these commissions marks a significant milestone in both Christopher’s career and OACB’s mission to support local artists. Now displayed in OACB’s restored space, these portraits highlight the organization’s commitment to advocacy and artistic empowerment.

For more, please continue reading OACB CEO Adam Herman’s post about meeting Chris and commissioning these pieces to rebuild his organization’s collection.

From LinkedIn:

“’I am king of the art. I am the greatest artist of all time, and I have created many masterpieces, canvases, picture frames and statues and giant sculptures.’  – Christopher Cole

Meet Christopher. Christopher is an accomplished artist at Open Door Art Studio. He is well-known for creating custom portraits of friends, family members, and famous people. He’s quite talented, and if this quote from him is any indication, he’s also very confident in his creative abilities.

When OACB’s offices were severely damaged by a flood in 2022, we lost many pieces of one-of-a-kind art created by people served by county boards of DD. Since we’ve fully restored our space, I’ve been on the hunt for the right person who could help us fill our empty walls. Enter Christopher.

When I stopped in at Open Door earlier this year, a portrait of Governor DeWine was on his easel. Seeing an incredible opportunity to support this local artist while also finding a way to visibly demonstrate OACB’s commitment to state and federal advocacy at our offices in Worthington, I left my card and a request for follow-up.

Fast forward to today, our custom commissions of Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted are complete—and Christopher has two new sales heading into the holidays. Many people who receive support from county boards choose to make art their living—if you’re looking for a last minute gift for a person who has everything, might I suggest a custom portrait?

Learn more about Christopher and the work of Open Door Columbus by watching this feature from WOSU Public Media’s Broad and High, which aired just two months before our office flooded back in 2022 and is now on YouTube (watch below).”