Steele devoted to her art

Whether you consider the countless hours spent in the art room, the months of interning with local artists, or her dedication to "paying it forward," Sisters High School senior Cindy Steele can be considered a pillar of the high school art department.

Steele has been involved in art throughout her school career, taking art all four years in high school, under the instruction of art department head Mike Baynes. Though she appreciates and enjoys all types of art, her passion lies in the ceramic arts.

Her love for ceramics has brought Steele a variety of experiences, from creating "empty bowls" for FAN's (Family Access Network) Empty Bowls Project, to entering the Scholastic Art & Writing competition at Central Oregon Community College.

Steele received Honorable Mention last year and plans to enter again this coming January. The competition is the same one that last year earned high school student Tanner Smith a trip to Carnegie Hall to exhibit his winning entry.

Steele's work has also been exhibited around the high school and Sisters community, most recently as a featured artist at the recent Coffee House, a fundraiser for the high school art program.

In addition to many hours spent in the classroom, Steele has had the valuable experience of interning with Sisters potter Mitch Deaderick. Over the spring and summer of her junior year, Steele got to experience the realities of life as a potter.

"Being able to actually see what life is like as an artist puts it into a perspective that's pretty valuable. Being able to see not only the good but also the time commitment and the sacrifices has been great," said Steele.

She attributes her success to the fact that she has been able to learn from two very experienced and knowledgeable teachers, Baynes and Deaderick, and develop her own style.

Steele's contributions have not gone unnoticed: Baynes has a deep appreciation for all she does.

"Cindy is so full of positive energy and has brought that with her to the art room," he said. "She has become one of the best ceramic artists I have worked with in all my years of teaching. Cindy is a valuable asset to the SHS art program and after graduation she will be missed dearly."