Sister Helena Steffens-meier

(1900 - 1997)

Sister Helena worked at Alverno College from 1950  to 1980. She taught and headed the art department until 1971.

After that, she was professor emerita and artist-in-residence.

Sister Helena created the sculpture, Mary, Queen of the Universe, 

which can still be seen on campus today. It was paid for by the class of 1957 

In May 1958 the sculpture was dedicated.

Sister Helena was a prolific artist working in many media: wood, stone, fiber, oil, clay, and watercolor.

She continued to create art until she went blind in 1993.

You can learn more about Sister Helena's art work in the book, Patterns of Praise, copies of which

are available in the Alverno College Library and in the College Archives.

Sister Helena died on May 26, 1997.

Her obituary appeared in the September 1997 issue of Alverno Today.

Sister Helena was  featured as a "Significant Woman of the Week:" 

Significant Woman of the Week--Sr.Helena Steffensmeier.pdf