For five years in a row, during the recent recession, Michigan had the highest unemployment rate in the nation. Its manufacturing base was in shambles. Thus, in 2011 Cynthia created The Rising Phoenix .

Cynthia used the cyclical force created by the life of the phoenix as a metaphor for the history of Michigan. The most recent firebird burned as the auto industry and all other components related to automotive production crumbled. The Rising Phoenix represents the current struggle of the state to regain its magnitude as a healthy, stable economy poised to lead the nation once again.

While she is a skilled welder, the sheer magnitude of The Rising Phoenix prevented Cynthia from fabricating the piece herself. The final sculture weighed in at over eight tons. She worked with the talented craftsmen of Premier Metal in Hudsonville, Michigan, to build the full-size sculpture.

Terry VanHaitsma stands on a ladder to weld the metal firebird.

Cynthia peers through a hole in one of the Phoenix's wings while construction continues around her.

Terry VanHaitsma's perch atop the bird provides a commanding view.

Scott Walcott welds two parts together while assembling Cynthia's vision.

As the deadline approached, painters from Fleet Refinishing in Holland, Michigan, found themselves finishing the final coat the night before the sculpture was to be delivered to its Grand Rapids viewing site.