January 2026 Art Demo – Ann Olmstead
FAA Guest Artist Demonstration
Presented by Ann (Anje) Olmstead
January 8, 2026
6 pm at
The Gallery at 48 Natoma
Using a pet portrait as an example, focusing on shapes and values, and using cutout papers and designs as her medium, our January guest artist, Anje Olmstead, will be showing us how to start any piece of artwork.
Here’s what Anje has shared with us about her very interesting and accomplished past:
“At age 30, having been a secretary for 13 years, I decided to leave the job of secretary at the California Legislature and study art.
“I attended American River College full-time for 2 years and many more part-time, studying with Gary Pruner for several years. Gary suggested I apply for a job opening as a tapestry designer ( since my major and my 2-year degree was in interior design). I went on to become a tapestry designer for 2 national and 1 international companies. This position called for submitting a group of new designs every 6 months [for perhaps 10 years].
“It was that position that prompted me to take on new designer names, one of which was “Anje” as my name was Ann Jenkins.
“…Over the following 10 years or so, I worked as an interior designer, visual merchandiser for a department store, and floral designer. I also taught Architectural Design and Rendering at American River College.
“I then, at age 50, became a muralist in Granite Bay, Roseville, and Fair Oaks, working through interior design firms. At age 61, I retired my 10 ft. ladder and became an exhibiting artist, first at Rara Avis, then 20th St. Gallery, both in Sacramento. One year in there somewhere, somehow, I was invited to be published along with other artists in the Encyclopedia of Living Artists in America. At age 70, I was selected from a group of 4 applicants to do a 9’x8’portrait of Margaret Dalton.
“I was then commissioned to do a stained glass mosaic mural on the half-wall in front of Ione City Hall. The mural is 27’ long and visually tells the stories of 8 families who have lived in Ione for almost 200 years. I was asked to do, and completed, another mosaic mural for Ione, which will be installed in Howard Park in Ione [by the new music venue) in the near future. At age 82, I am thinking of semi-retirement…”
This paper mosaic mural resides in Jackson Rancheria Casino.
Join us on Thursday, January 8th, for Anje Olmstead’s artist demonstration.
Please contact Lori Anderson, President, Folsom Arts Association, for questions about our monthly artist demonstrations.