Biography

My name is Olivia Steele and I’m an Art Studio student at IUP along with minors in Marketing and Communications Media. I grew up in Hollidaysburg, PA but now live about half an hour from there in Patton, PA. I am the oldest child of my 3 siblings, but am the middle of my 6 siblings and step siblings. I was the oldest until I was in 9th grade and my mom got remarried and I gained 3 older step siblings. This both took the weight off of being in charge of everything, and put weight on as my older siblings are all successful and know how to be on their own already.

I have always been considered creative and outgoing. In high school I spent the majority of my time in art class, or getting out of other classes to go to art class. I also spent my spare time cheerleading and running in track. Needless to say free time was not in my vocabulary. While I do well in school, my art has always been my main focus. Being an art major you would think that means I spend a lot of time on my school projects, but in reality I end up working on other projects on the side and can easily get distracted by those. I always try my hardest to stay focused, but I often find myself getting lost and doing my own thing.

Coming to college was a completely different experience for me. It was an easy adjustment at first because a lot of my high school friends also came to IUP. After those friendships fizzled out I found myself somewhat lost and hating school. I eventually joined my sorority where I really found myself and was able to be myself and gain friendships I never thought I would have in college. I have now been in Indiana for five years, and although I am very thankful for the time I have had here, I am ready to do something bigger with my life and move on to my next chapter.

I am graduating this Spring and will go on to work with Arts Altoona, a new business starting in the downtown Altoona area. I will begin working on their marketing team right after graduation and will eventually open my own studio when the building is open in 2020. I could not be more excited for this opportunity to both create my work and have a stable marketing job on a business that is up and coming in my community. This job also means I do not need to leave home, and being in a big family I have never felt the desire to move.