She attended Del Oro High School, where she became a fixture in both the drama and art departments. She also began working here, first as a cheerful young assistant, and eventually teaching classes herself.  (Despite her youth, she is one of our most long-term art center employees—over a decade!) She graduated in 2009 with a degree in Fine Arts from Sacramento State University, and became our Head Teacher in 2010.

In her spare time, Loralyn pursues a variety of unique hobbies: from archery to Renaissance faires to salsa dancing. The family pug, who she and her sister carry in their arms like an infant, is named Minnie the Moocher (“Moo”).

Deanna Owen

Deanna Owen teaches drawing and fine arts—to school-age kids and teenagers—and is also a popular teacher at canvas painting and summer workshops. If you notice a family resemblance—again, that gorgeous red hair—you’re right: she is Loralyn’s younger sister, and has been at the Center nearly as long. She, too, started as a high school assistant, then teacher, and has continued to teach during her college years at Sacramento State (she is slated to graduate with degrees in English and Fine Arts in 2012).

She is also an established artist in her own right, with pieces still hanging in the theater building at Del Oro High School from her years there in the drama and art departments. She’s had her work displayed in the Cannon Tunnel in Washington D.C., on exhibit at Sacramento State University and at the Beatnik Gallery in downtown Sacramento. And she’s participated in public works for Loomis Historical Society and worked on the Placer County State Fair exhibit.

When she’s not teaching or studying, she likes to draw, paint and make her own jewelry. She also plays piano and a little guitar. Finally, she loves art galleries and going to the theater, and is a major film buff.

Celia Cornejo

Celia Cornejo teaches Pee Wee Picasso; Art, Music & Movement; and fine arts. With her Snow White looks and warm manner, she is also a popular birthday party host.

She describes herself as “Mexican/Italian/Irish/Portuguese,” and her first art teacher was her own grandmother. She took this early artistic talent and went on to complete a degree in fine arts at UC Davis in 2007. She began teaching here in 2010.

She is an interior designer, too—constantly rearranging furniture at home, and creating new and fun wall art. She also does the displays and decorations at a local movie theater.

When she isn’t teaching--or finding a new spot for her living room couch—she is a serious gamer. Her favorite games are Gears of War, Left For Dead and Borderlands. She also loves animals and has a dog (Gigi) and a cat (Bailey).

 She has loved art since she was young, and rediscovered her love of animals during a college zoology class. She often combines the two in art projects for her classes here—bringing in her yellow lab, Mabel, as a live model; sculpting or drawing birds, reptiles, fish and all kinds of mammals; going outside to sketch, either on our property or further afield.

She is currently working on her bachelor’s degree in psychology, and plans to go on for her master’s. She also illustrates and designs jewelry and sculptures for her website: www.SweetlyVenomous.com. She focuses on bright colors and natural shapes, along with making her own “strange creatures.” Finally, she works at the Folsom Zoo—look closely and you may see our own Miss Cassie tending the rescued raccoons or eagles!

Hadley Rood

Hadley Rood teaches fine arts and often assists at workshops and field trips. She attends Granite Bay High School, and has been an art center student for more than 10 years.  She started Art, Music & Movement when she was 4, then joined Mr. Greg’s cartooning at the age of 6—a class she kept for 8 years!  She continues to attend the teen fine arts class on Thursday evenings with Miss Deanna, where she paints, draws and still does the occasional cartoon.

She also started piano lessons here at the Center at the age of 5, then flute at 9, and currently takes guitar lessons with Derek. She is excited to be learning some John Mayer songs, her favorite musician.

In her spare time, she is more often than not in a dance studio—Hadley is an accomplished jazz and contemporary dancer. She also loves to read, write fiction and horseback ride. Like our other animal-loving teachers, Hadley has two dogs at home: Stormy (a black lab) and Drake (a golden retriever).

Linda Green

Linda Green teaches fine arts and offers private art lessons at the Center—to older children, teens and adults—and  has been a member of the staff for more than 10 years.

She is also a Northern California “figurative abstract” artist working in acrylic on canvas, and is a full-time “Artist in Residence” at The Arts Building in Auburn. She recently participated in the Breast Cancer Awareness “Ribbon” project, and her 6-foot “Ribbon” was first commissioned by and displayed in front of Fat’s Asia Bistro in Roseville. It was then purchased by Dr. Ernie Bodai, a leading breast cancer specialist, and is on permanent exhibit in his Kaiser Permanente office lobby.  Other pieces of Linda’s work are on exhibit around the area—in local galleries and cafés—as well as during the annual Autumn Art Studios Tour sponsored by PlacerArts.

Linda has also recently begun working in ceramics, and upcoming projects include a collection of short stories and poetry, where she will bridge the written word with painting, sketches and sculpture.

In her private life, she is married and has two children—a son and daughter—and loves sushi!