About Me
Born and raised in Indiana, Caitlyn Shirley O'Neal graduated from Goshen College in 2018 with a degree in K-12 Arts Education and Fine Arts, focusing on ceramics and painting. Working in mostly clay, she draws inspiration from bright colors and simple designs that bring her joy.
She has been a resident artist at Access Arts in Columbia, MO, ANG Pottery in Baltimore, MD, and has taught art to people of all ages in the public school setting and beyond. Currently, she resides in Ann Arbor, MI teaching high school ceramics at Greenhills School.
Artist's Statement
This work is an exploration of form, color, and texture, inspired by the subtle yet vibrant beauty of everyday surroundings. Each piece is individually hand-crafted, embodying the uniqueness and imperfections that come with the creative process.
The choice of colors reflects a joyful, playful palette—soft pastels and bold earth tones—that invites the viewer to engage with the work on a sensory level.
The dotted patterns that adorn the mugs are reminiscent of organic textures found in nature, like the delicate markings on stones or the pores found on leaves of plants.
In this work, I hope to evoke a sense of warmth and nostalgia, transforming the act of drinking from a cup or a eating from a bowl into a moment of reflection and appreciation for the crafted object. Each piece is inspired by life's delights-the little moments that help shape our human experience.
CV
Born in Russiaville, IN 1995
Lives & works in Ann Arbor, MI
EDUCATION
BFA with Honors, Goshen College, Goshen, IN 2018
Teaching Certification in Art Education, (K-12), Goshen College, Goshen IN 2019
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
“ON THE DAILY: Coffee & Tea” at Studio & Gallery, Durango, CO
"The Cup, The Mug" at Main Street Arts, Clifton Springs, NY
Artist Reception at Dog Master Distillery, Columbia, MO
GLAZED GALA: A Pottery Exhibition, Kokomo Art Association, Kokomo, IN
"Art of the Cup" at GoggleWorks, Reading PA
AWARDS
Artist of the Month, PAN-O-PLY, Michiana, IN
People's Choice, Art on the Mill-Race, Goshen, IN
Davis & Elkins Art Award