Artist Statement

Sanda Steele’s art is a fusion of the various cultural communities that shaped her early life. Born in Romania Steele was surrounded by family and friends who were from neighboring countries. Moving to the United States at 7, American culture seamlessly merged with her identity. As a first-generation immigrant family, they faced struggles in establishing a home, where art became her source of comfort and strength, allowing her to reflect on life. From a young age, she learned to draw, embroider, and crochet, all of which evolved into ongoing artistic expressions. Today, as an adult artist, she immerses herself in the present moment, listening to her inner voice. Drawing inspiration from the beauty that surrounds her, she aims to instill hope and perseverance in others. Her work reflects the beauty of Greek antiquities' line drawings, the vibrant colors and intricate patterns of regional traditional embroidery and folk art, synthesizing the music, colors, and flavors of her upbringing with the knowledge acquired in American schools.

“I am an artist of life.”

Artist Bio

Sanda Steele's first-generation immigrant family encountered numerous challenges upon arriving in the United States. To survive, they relied on inventive solutions such as establishing a mini sewing factory at home and repurposing broken electronics to help those in need. Growing up in this environment, Steele learned to be resourceful and developed a knack for creating beauty from discarded items. This early exposure to various crafts laid the foundation for her current artistic endeavors, shaping her belief that creativity can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Steele graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago with a BA in Studio Arts. She also attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and obtained a Professional Lithographer Certificate from the Tamarind Institute of Lithography. Additionally, she holds a Wisconsin Cross Categorical Special Education Teacher License and an Art Teacher License. Steele's teaching experience includes roles as an Art Teacher, Beginning Spanish Teacher, Special Education Teacher, and Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Blind. In the latter role, she taught children to read and write in Braille in both English and Spanish.

In addition to her roles as a visual artist and educator, Steele finds joy in her new role as a grandparent. When she is not teaching or creating art, she cherishes spending quality time with her family, her 3 Scottish Terriers, and her orchid collection. 

CV

acrylic paint on paper 22” x 18” in artist’s private collection

Self-portrait

color pencil and oil pastel 22 x 18 in artist’s private collection

Self-portrait

Education:

2018 Cross Categorical Special Education Teacher, Viterbo University, 900 Viterbo Dr, La  Crosse, WI 

2016 Art Education Teacher, St. Mary’s University of Minnisota, Winona, MN 

1986 Certified Lithographer, Tamarin Institute of Lithography, Albuquerque, NM

1986 BFA in Studio Arts, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL (Studied Fine Art at The School of The Art Institute of Chicago for 3

years before transferring to the University of Illinois Chicago due to tuition increases.)

Awards: 2024 Summer Salon Judges Choice, 2nd Place ribbon, Madison Art Guild at

The UW Health University Hospital, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792

Exhibitions:

2026 Gallery at Truax, Madison College

Room A1005, 1701 Wright St., Madison, WI 53704

2026 Ballweg Gallery Group Show, The Goodman Community Center-Ironworks Building,

214 Waubesa St. Madison, WI

2026 UW Health Hospital, Group Show

1675 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792, (608) 263-7337 

2025 Aubergine: a Willy Street Co-op Community Space, Dane County Arts 2026 Calendar artists group show

1226 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53703

2025 Dane County Arts Calendar for 2026, My drawing was selected to represent the month of March

Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission, Room 421, City-County Building, 210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd
Madison, WI 53703-3345

2025 Art Fair on the Square, The Madison Art Guild tent group exhibition

Capitol Square, 227 State Street, Madison, WI 53703

2025 Ballweg Gallery Group Show, The Goodman Community Center-Ironworks Building,

214 Waubesa St. Madison, WI

2025 UW Health Hospital, Group Show

1675 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792, (608) 263-7337 

2024 Ballweg Gallery, The Goodman Community Center-Ironworks Building, Group Show 

214 Waubesa St, Madison, WI 53704, (608) 241-1574 

2024 UW Health Hospital, Group Show 

1675 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792, (608) 263-7337 

2021 Sauk Prairie Staff Art Show, Sauk Prairie River Arts Center

105 9th St, Prairie du Sac, WI 53578, (608) 643-5636

Bibliography:

2015 - current:

  • Cross Categorical Special Education Teacher - Kindergarten - high school

  • Beginning Spanish Teacher - Kindergarten - eighth grade 

  • Art Teacher - Kindergarten - eighth grade

  • Special Education Teacher/Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Blind (TVI) - Teach children ages 4K-21 Daily Living Skills and academics in Braille in both English and Spanish 


Restaurant Manager/Food Service Manager/Concessions Manager

  • Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

  • The Milwaukee School of Engineering 

  • Marquette University

Sonda's Mediterranean Restaurant: 

Utilizing her artistic skills to curate a distinctive Mediterranean ambiance encompassing decor, cuisine, furniture, and music for a completely new business venture. With no prior restaurant in the location, her husband and Sanda embarked on building the establishment from scratch. Leveraging her husband’s construction expertise, he turned her artistic visions into tangible creations. They ingeniously repurposed pre-owned chairs by meticulously reconstructing, painting, and reupholstering them. Despite minimal financial resources, they took on every task required to bring their vision to life.

Patrons enjoyed delicious food and experienced art while dining. Guests loved this special experience for ten years, giving the restaurant a top rating of 4.5-star. 

  • Interior Design: Steele designed and decorated the interior of the restaurant, including lighting, signage, flooring, and wall textures/paint colors to create a welcoming and cohesive environment.

  • Art Exhibition: Steele exhibited her photographs, paintings, and recipes within the restaurant to enhance the overall atmosphere and provide a unique dining experience for customers.

  • Menu Design: Steele created the menu layout, carefully selecting fonts and naming each dish to reflect the restaurant's aesthetic and highlight the culinary offerings.

  •  Steele applied her artistic skills and knowledge to recipe development, considering cooking times and modes to create visual presence, texture, and enhance flavor.

  • Promotional Materials: Steele developed promotional materials and advertisements to effectively market the restaurant and attract new patrons through visually appealing and informative content.

  • In pursuit of becoming restaurant licensed: Steele studied safe food handling procedures. Additionally, she learned the laws and regulations related to serving alcohol to obtain a liquor license.

  • Steele managed day-to-day operations: in both the front of the house and back of the house

   


Sonda’s Mediterranean Natural Bath Products Line:

Steele developed a natural bath products line consisting of Milk and Honey Soap, Oatmeal Soap, Shampoo Bar, Bath Oil, Bath Salts, Cornstarch Body Powder, and Face Lotion in four different natural fragrances. Steele designed the bath line labels and the advertising materials.

Formulation and Manufacturing Process:

  • Milk and Honey Soap: Formulated with organic goat milk and raw honey for a nourishing and gentle cleanse.

  • Oatmeal Soap: Infused with ground oatmeal for exfoliation and soothing properties.

  • Shampoo Bar: Created using natural ingredients like olive oil and essential oils for a luxurious lather.

  • Bath Oil: Blended with botanical oils for a moisturizing and aromatic bath experience.

  • Bath Salts: Made with Epsom salts and essential oils for relaxation and muscle relief.

  • Cornstarch Body Powder: Formulated to absorb moisture and leave the skin feeling silky smooth.

  • Face Lotion: Developed with hydrating ingredients for daily skin nourishment.

Manufacturing and Safety:

  • Designed a soap mold, manual soap slicing machine, and a heated drying rack system for efficient production.

  • Ensured compliance with manufacturing regulations and safe handling of chemicals in accordance with safety instructions.

  • Designed product labels with required safety information for consumer guidelines.

Production and Sales Management:

  • Managed the production and sales of the natural bath products line.