Dusty Lynn Baker (she/her) is an accomplished writer and artist. Her poetry was most recently published in the Indiana State Library’s INverse archive, and she served as the Resident Artist at Beck’s Mill National Historic Site from 2021-2024. Dusty has led multiple creative writing workshops with the IU Center for Rural Engagement, and presented “Preserving Rural Life: Finding Your Inner Creativity” at the 2024 Annual Conference.
Dusty formerly served as a Special Education Teacher and Instructional Strategist in Indiana, and has an additional 20-years of teaching and management experience with the American National Red Cross. She also served on active duty in both the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army, and is an active volunteer in her community.
Dusty holds a Master’s in Liberal Studies from Arizona State University, a Bachelor’s in English from the University of Maryland UC, and has graduated from both the Culinary Arts & Operations program, and the Professional Pastry Arts program, at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Boulder, Colorado.
Originally from El Paso, Texas, Dusty now lives in Salem, Indiana, with her son Austin. She also has two daughters, Jessie & Lindsy, and three granddaughters.
EDUCATION
Master of Liberal Studies, Arizona State University
Bachelor of Arts, English, University of Maryland UC
Diploma, Professional Pastry Arts, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Diploma, Culinary Arts & Operations, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Certificate, On-Ramp 2.0, Indiana Arts Commission
Certificate, On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Course, Indiana Arts Commission
Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Kapiolani, University of Hawaii – 18 hours
Diploma, Early Childhood Education, North American Montessori Center
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PUBLICATION
INverse Poetry Archive, Indiana State Library
-- Essie's Cabin, 2019
-- Ode to the Beasts of Maxwell Hall, 2021
-- Grandma's Hickory Chair, 2021
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EXHIBITIONS, PRESENTATIONS & GALLERY SALE LOCATIONS
IU Rural Conference, French Lick, Indiana
-- Breakout Session Presenter: Preserving Rural Life: Finding Your Inner Creativity, 2024
-- Panel Presenter: Creative Writing, 2022
IU Center for Rural Engagement Women's Writing Workshops, Washington County, Indiana, 2022
-- Lead Presenter: Writing to Channel Our Pioneer Spirit, November Workshop
-- Co-Presenter: Writing Our Pasts to Imagine Our Futures, October Workshop
Beck’s Grist Mill (National Historic Site), Salem, Indiana, Resident Artist: 2021 to 2024
Gayle Karch Cook Center, Maxwell Hall, Indiana University, Bloomington, Creative Writing: Historical Fiction, 2021
Washington County Arts Council, Indiana, Acrylics at the First Baptist Church of Salem, Community Center, 2021
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COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERISM
Awareness Washington County, Former Board Member
Washington County Farmers Market, Former Market Master/President
Purdue Extension Master Gardeners, Washington County, Indiana, Former Board Member/President
Purdue Extension Washington County Board of Agriculture, Board Member
United Service Organizations (USO), Former Volunteer Shift Supervisor
SHAPE Community Theatre, Belgium, Writer/Actor/Director
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NOTABLE HONORS AND AWARDS
NATO Medal, Camp Monteith, Kosovo
The Clara Barton Honor Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership, American National Red Cross
Volunteer of the Quarter/Year, American Red Cross, SHAPE, Belgium
80th ASG Volunteer of the Quarter, SHAPE, Belgium
Exceptional Volunteer Leadership Award, Multiple Awards, American Red Cross
Dusty Lynn Baker 
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