Lena Olson, BIOGRAPHY
Lena Olson was born in 1956 and raised in the South Texas Rio Grande Valley. As a child, she exhibited her unique artistic abilities. She has been an artist and sculptor for over three decades. Her bronze portrait busts are in private collections, government institutions, and museums. Lena studied life drawing at Texas A&I /A&M University, Kingsville. At Indiana University, South Bend, her studies with Tuck Langland focused on the human head, anatomy, figure modeling, mold making, and every aspect of bronze casting, including metal chasing, welding and pouring bronze.
Lena is an elected member of the National Sculpture Society. Her early drawings were selected for the permanent collection at Texas A&I/A&M University. She has sculpted monuments, designed ornamental ironwork for custom interiors, and sculpted architectural details for palatial exteriors. Her figurative work has earned numerous awards, including the Anna Hyatt Huntington Medal Award 2009 and International recognition with the Certificate of Excellence awarded by The Portrait Society of America/International Competition. A supporter of figurative art, Lena is the former Colorado Ambassador for the Portrait Society of America. She has taught figurative sculpture workshops at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. This endeavor became an enriching extension of her enjoyment and desire to share the sculpture experience.
“When sculpting a likeness, I most enjoy the magical moment when I feel as if I am in another person’s space.”
SELECT AWARDS
• 2009- “Anna Hyatt Huntington Medal Award”, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe 113th Annual Competition, New York, NY
• 2008 - International Competition - Portrait Society of America, “Certificate of Excellence Award” Philadelphia, PA
• 2008 - Sculptural Pursuit, 2008 Sculpture Only Competition “Industry Award”
• 2007 - Fine Arts Center Faculty Competition, Colorado Springs, Colorado, “Best of Show Award”
• 1997 - Cultural Arts Council of Houston, Houston, Texas - Selected/Featured Sculptor of “Introductions”
• 1997 - Lone Star Art Guild - Professional Competition, Houston, Texas, “1st Place Award”
• 1995 - Lone Star Art Guild - Professional Competition, Houston, Texas, “1st Place Award” for “Waiting” Bronze Bust
• 1995 - Lone Star Art Guild - Professional Competition, Houston, Texas, “1st Place Award” for “John Olson” Bronze Bust
• 1994 - Indiana University, South Bend, Indiana, “1st Place Award” for “Torso” Bronze
• 1975 - Life Drawings chosen for the permanent collection of Texas A&M - Kingsville University, Kingsville, Texas
FINE ART EDUCATION
• 2001 - Scottsdale Academy, Scottsdale, Arizona
• 1997 - Loveland Academy, Loveland, Colorado
• 1997 - Indiana University, South Bend, Indiana
• 1994 - Scottsdale Academy, Scottsdale, Arizona
• 1975 - Texas A&M University, Kingsville, Texas
BOOK AND PUBLICATION REFERENCES
• Langland, Tuck. 1999. “From Clay to Bronze”. Watson-Guptill Publications, New York. p. 188
• National Sculpture Society News. September 2008, p. 7
• National Sculpture Society News. May 2008, p. 7
• Sculptural Pursuit Magazine. Fall 2008, p. 40
• Art of the Portrait. Issue No. 40, p. 8
• Special Forces Association. Spring 2003, Col. Aaron Bank 100th Birthday Celebration, The DROP, Cover, pp. 5 and 35
MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATATONS
• National Sculpture Society - Elected Member
• Portrait Society of America - Former Colorado Ambassador
• Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, Inc.
• South Texas Art League
• Fine Arts Center of Colorado Springs, Sculpture Workshops - Faculty
• National Museum of Women in the Arts
• National Artist Registry, Art in Architecture - Registered Member
• Art Bar Colorado, Pikes Peak Region Artists Association
• Allied Artists of America
PUBLIC, MUSEUM, AND GOVERNMENT COLLECTIONS (SCULPTURE)
• OSS Society, Washington, D.C.
• U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
• John Wesley United Methodist Church, Houston, Texas
• John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (Col. Aaron Bank Building) Fort Bragg, North Carolina
• SSG Ricky Robinson Special Forces Medical Building, Fort Carson, Colorado
Headquarters, 10th Special Forces Fort, Carson, Colorado
• 2952 Lazy Lane, Houston, Texas, Ox Eye Window Surrounds
• Saint Paul’s Catholic Church, Mission, Texas
SELECT EVENTS
• 2010 – OSS Society, Major General John K. Singlaub Award Presentation, Washington D.C.
• 2009 - Catharine Lorillard Wolfe 133th Annual Exhibition, New York
• 2008 - Became an elected member of the National Sculpture Society
• 2008 - International Competition Award, “Certificate of Excellence”, Portrait Society of America - “Frida Kahlo” Portrait Bust
• 2005 - John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina - Unveiling of Bronze Bust of Col. Aaron Bank by Mrs. Bank and Gen. Parker during the dedication of Col. Aaron Bank Hall
• 2004 - 10th Special Forces Group, SSG Ricky Robinson Medical Building, Fort Carson, Colorado - Installation of SSG Ricky Robinson Memorial Bronze
• 2002 - Special Forces Association presents Col. Aaron Bank (award size) Bronze Sculpture to Col. Bank on his 100th birthday, Mission Viejo, California
• 2002 – 50th Anniversary of Special Forces Banquet held at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO. Heroic size bust of Col. Aaron Bank unveiled for Col. Bank for his 100th birthday.
