Art has always been an important part of Janet Almstadt-Davison’s life.
For thirty years, Almstadt-Davison taught art at Avondale High School in Auburn Hills. Upon retiring in 1999, she continues to share her love of teaching and art, as she instructs in a variety of places, including teaching a drawing class at the Orion Art Center. But that’s not why she’s being honored on Feb. 9.
‘Janet is an incredibly well-rounded artist. She can do it all,? said Orion Art Center Executive Director Reggie Harrison of the Art Center’s selection for Artist of the Year.
While a lot of artists specialize in one media of art, Almstadt-Davison said she loves it all, whether it is pastels, watercolors, charcoals, pencil and so forth.
She credits her years of teaching all the different forms of art to her love and use of all the medias, as well as the variety of things she likes to create, such as still lifes, realisms, portraits or abstracts.
‘I enjoy it all and I like to do it all,? she said with a laugh.
Almstadt-Davison first became interested in art as a young child, but growing up in the small farming town of Almont, her school didn’t offer art classes so her parents purchased a correspondence course for her to learn with.
From that point on, Almstadt-Davison said that any time someone in the school needed anything art and drawing related, they would come to her.
She went on to study art in college, eventually pursuing a teaching certificate and educating over 4,000 students in a subject that she is passionate about.
‘I feel very strong about people having art knowledge,? Almstadt-Davison said, adding that she feels that art is important in everyone’s life, being that it is a creative outlet humans can utilize for their emotions and feelings.
For over 12 years now, Almstadt-Davison has been involved with the Art Center as a juror in the Joan Brace Scholarship Competition, an artist and a teacher. She teaches her art classes on Wednesday mornings (10 a.m. to noon).
‘Once a teacher, always a teacher,? she joked.
Harrison credited Almstadt-Davison for not only being a talented artist, but also a wonderful person and an incredible teacher.
‘She’s such a talent, as well as being a wonderful person,? Harrison added. ‘It’s such a treat when you get a great person to work with.?
Almstadt-Davison was honored to receive the distinction of Artist of the Year.
‘I was thrilled,? she said. ‘It’s such a high when someone feels that way about your work.?
Almstadt-Davison resides with her husband of 38 years, Mark, in Oakland Twp.
For more information about classes at the Orion Art Center, including the one taught by Almstadt-Davison, call (248)693-4986.