Alanna Knobben - Community Member
Alanna Knobben is the founder of Carry You With Me, an international speaker, grief educator, and author with a passion for connection, creativity, and community. Her work weaves storytelling, design, and facilitation to support individuals in navigating love, loss, and life through meaningful experiences. Driven by interests in colour, design, and connection, Alanna is excited to contribute to amplifying public art in Olds and Area. Alanna is a member of the Olds Art Club and looks forward to revitalizing familiar projects and supporting new creative expressions in the community.
“I love public art not just for its beauty, but for the conversations and connections it sparks. From the collaborative energy that plants the initial idea, to the creativity poured into its design, placement, and unveiling - every step invites community. Once in place, public art continues to speak, whether it’s loved or debated, it draws attention, invites dialogue, and often becomes a landmark that puts a town on the map."
Amy Lee - Community Member
Amy Lee is a long time hairstylist and the owner/operator of Olds Town Square - a collective space in Uptowne Olds that has a full service hair salon, yoga studio, coffee/kombucha bar, event space + locally sourced shopping. In the early stages of being in business a beautiful mural painted on the outside of Olds Town Square by Kevin Johnston. The gorgeous 'Blue Heron' piece created a great landmark out of what once was the Olds Train Station + truly helped bring the Uptowne core to life. A year later another mural was commissioned by Uptowne Olds + Kevin Johnston - the 'Koi Fish' mural adorns the building beside OTS on Olds Liquor and Beer. The excitement of these projects + the beauty it brought to Main Street inspired Amy to become involved with Uptowne Olds and more recently joining PACO to bring life to the community of Olds + bring the community together!
“I love how public art brings people together - not only in the planning + execution of the project, but for all those who gather to the art to adore it as long as it’s available to be viewed. I think art has a way of drawing attention + beauty to regular spaces, and helps accentuate the diversity of a community!”
Lori-Jo Graham - Community Member
Lori-Jo Graham is a proud supporter of public art. Among her favorite pieces are "The Red Paper Clip" (also known as "The Spire") at the University of Calgary, where her family has celebrated their academic achievements across two generations, and "The Horses" (also known as "The Wild Horse Monument"), featuring 15 life-size steel horses galloping across a ridge above the Columbia River near Vantage, Washington.
With a Master of Environmental Design in Urban and Regional Planning, Lori-Jo values the role of public art in placemaking, economic development, cultural celebration, and aesthetics. As one of the founding members of the Olds Public Art Advisory Committee and now a PACO member, she actively contributes to the community's artistic landscape. Lori-Jo enjoys biking or driving along side the Olds Sculpture Pathway, where she particularly admires "The White Bison," a symbol of good luck, and "The Hand" holding an earth pearl.
Her commitments extend to the conservation and awareness of land for its ecological, heritage, and agricultural significance. Lori-Jo believes that public art enriches our community and encourages everyone to connect with PACO on social media and participate in our activities.
Jillian Toellner - Town Representative
Jillian Toellner brings a deep connection to Olds and a lifelong passion for creativity to her role on the Public Art Committee. After growing up in Olds and spending two decades away, she was drawn back, in part, by the vibrant public art around town. Seeing Olds embrace art in public spaces affirmed it as a place where creativity is valued and where a progressive, community-minded spirit is encouraged.
With a strong background in theatre, dance, performance, and community building, Jillian has long been a champion for the arts. She sits on the board of the Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre and founded TACO—Theatre Arts & Creativity in Olds—to help amplify and connect local creative initiatives.
To Jillian, public art is more than decoration - It’s a way to connect, to heal, and to express shared humanity without the need for words. She believes creativity is an expression of boundless optimism, and that public art opens up space for curiosity, reflection, and belonging.
Rather than pointing to one specific piece of art, Jillian draws inspiration from the many works she’s encountered while living abroad, travelling overseas, and traipsing around North America. She especially enjoys interactive pieces—ones you can touch, climb, or experience physically—because they invite people of all ages to play, wonder, and engage.
Interested in joining the Public Art Committee of Olds? Email jtoellner@olds.ca
