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 seven, 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, friends and mentors.

“I am an artist of life.”

Artist Bio

Sanda Steele graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago with a BA in Studio Arts. She also studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and earned a Professional Lithographer Certificate from the Tamarind Institute of Lithography. In addition to her fine arts credentials, Steele holds a Wisconsin Cross Categorical Special Education Teacher License and an Art Teacher License.

Her teaching career spans multiple roles: Art Teacher, Beginning Spanish Teacher, Special Education Teacher, and Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Blind. In that last role she taught children to read and write Braille in both English and Spanish, bringing accessibility and multilingual literacy to students with visual impairments.

Mentors, and friends associated with Steele’s artistic community include:

  • David Hernandez — “Unofficial Poet Laureate of Chicago,” and founder of David Hernandez and Street Sounds Cultural Music group, Chicago, IL.

  • Julian Harr — recognized as America’s Finest Wood Sculptor.

  • John Krutz — painter and sculptor based in Chicago, IL.

  • James Axeman — Chicago-based fine artist and educator associated with the University of Illinois Chicago. He is recognized by The Art Institute of Chicago archives.

  • Marc Hauser — Chicago photographer noted for portraits of friends, celebrities, and acquaintances; one of Marc’s portraits of Steele appears in his book, Portraits of Friends and Acquaintances, 1989.

This blend of formal art training, specialized printmaking certification, multilingual special education experience, and ties to prominent Chicago artists reflects Steele’s commitment to art, teaching, accessibility, and community.

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.)

Exhibitions:

2026

  • Juried —“International Open Call for Artist” by Exhibizone, Stillness 2026 (Global Online Visibility — March to May 2026). Fewer than 20% of submissions were selected by the jury.

  • Juried — “National Open Call for Artists” - 3rd Annual Artrageous Birds Regional Exhibition (Global Online Visibility) and Traditional Salon-Style Art Exhibit, Cultural Arts Center Gallery, Whitewater, WI 53190

  • Dane County Call for Artists -Gallery at Truax, Madison College Room A1005, 1701 Wright St., Madison, WI 53704

  • Ballweg Gallery Group Show (Coordinator), The Goodman Community Center-Ironworks Building, 214 Waubesa St. Madison, WI

  • UW Health Hospital (Coordinator), 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

  • Juried - Dane County Call for Artist; Selected work represents March in the Dane County Arts 2026 Calendar, Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission, Room 421, City-County Building, 210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd Madison, WI 53703-3345

  • Art Fair on the Square - The Madison Art Guild tent (group exhibition), Capitol Square, 227 State Street, Madison, WI 53703

  • Ballweg Gallery Group Show, The Goodman Community Center - Ironworks Building, 214 Waubesa St. Madison, WI

  • UW Health Hospital (Coordinator), Madison Artist Guild 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 

  • Award - Judges’ Choice -UW Health Hospital Summer Salon - Madison Artist Guild 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 Sanda’s 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.