Meet Trailblazer Lisa Olson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Olson.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Lisa. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in AZ and am 100% partial to state forty-eight. I grew up in Tempe but moved to the historic Phoenix neighborhood, FQ Story, a few years ago. I love living in Phoenix and getting to be a part of the Local Arts community.

As an AZ native, I graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Photography in 2004. I spent 3 years traveling the state as a photojournalist with the East Valley Tribune, before transitioning to work at Practical Art.

Practical Art was the brainchild of my mentor, Jane Reddin. Jane believed in the importance of art. She believed in the importance of small local business. She believed in protecting the environment by making smart, sustainable choices in our everyday lives. As a young artist and business owner myself, Jane became my mentor. I quickly rose to a manager at Practical Art. Jane taught me how to run the business and sparked a desire within me to connect art, local business, and sustainable living within the Phoenix community.

When Jane passed away, I was heartbroken. Yet, through my heartbreak, I was filled with a desire to follow through with our mission. I have been working ever since to help drive sustainable artistic development through Practical Art. Practical Art is now an amalgamation of Jane’s dreams and my own. PA has grown from 8 original artists to more than 150. We host a myriad of community events designed to connect the Phoenix community with local art, statewide artists, environmentally sustainable programs, and non-profit organizations working to make a difference. The goal of Practical Art is to reach deeply into the community, support local art, and make connections with local agencies whose ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life for Arizona citizens.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I don’t think any road is really smooth. What would be the fun in that? You can’t see the beauty of the other side of the mountain until you’ve climbed the last hill. Ownership of Practical Art, in particular, has been a learning process. But despite any bumps, the journey has been rewarding and fulfilling for me!

Some of the lessons that I have learned (and therefore advice I would give) are:

Be flexible. It’s important to have a plan, but it’s often more important to be able to amend or adjust that plan if and when any issues arise. Staying calm and being able to adapt will not only be key to your personal sanity but are key to maintaining a cool and steady leadership.

Know your strengths. Owning a business will test a plethora of your skills. It’s important to learn and relish what you are good at. Focusing on what you do well, and having an appreciation for your talents will make the hard days worth it.

Ask for help. No one is perfect, and you won’t be good at everything you have to do. It’s okay to ask for help. I have cherished getting to know the local business community. Other business owners, artists, family, and great staff have been instrumental in my growth by giving me advice and sharing their own experiences. Get involved and don’t be afraid to seek out the assistance of others if and when you need it.

Be open to new ideas! Don’t get stuck in a rut. It’s easy to get into a routine and fall into patterns and habits. Keep meeting new people, listen to those around you, try out new ideas, and don’t be afraid to switch things up.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Practical Art – what should we know?
As a kid, I found expression and release through art. My creative inclinations first spurred a career in photography, a career that I continue today. Thus I have a reputation for an artistic eye and strong visual creations. Currently, I have been working on a series of photo transfer postcards. But hands down, what I am most proud of, and what I am most known for, is my work at Practical Art. Practical Art has provided an extension of my artistic creativity and a platform to connect art with the community that I love. Our focus on community is what sets us apart from others.

Practical Art has grown immensely in the past 10 years! (It’s such a great feeling saying that. We officially celebrated our 10 year anniversary in April!) We began with a vision of providing handmade, local, sustainable artwork to the Arizona community, selling the work of 8 artists. Since this humble beginning, we have expanded our vision as well as our network of artists. We now sell the work of over 150 local artists and offer programs and events that connect community members with local artists and nonprofits offering supportive services throughout Arizona. We sell ‘practical’ or functional artwork in a variety of mediums — fibers, glass, ceramics, and woods. We feature rotating fine art shows. We offer art classes throughout the year and can be found at arts and farmers markets throughout the valley. Perhaps our most exciting venture has been our monthly Charity Pie Night. Teaming up with a local baker and a different non-profit charity each month, we have been able to raise over $50,000 to support local nonprofits around the valley.

Which women have inspired you in your life?
I have been fortunate to have been raised by (and with) strong women. My mother, grandmothers, and sisters have all been instrumental in shaping who I am and helping me get to where I am today. I am grateful for their influence.

I am also fortunate to work in a creative community, with a host of female artists who inspire me with their creative genius. Three women, in particular, stand out in my mind– Patricia Sannit, Mayme Kratz, and Ann Morton. All of these women lead their fields, bringing initiative and innovation to the various mediums with which they work. They are strong in who they are, setting an example of female artistic leadership. They are also, to put it succinctly, genuine, kind human beings. Their work and example inspire me to push myself — my art and my commitment to my community.

Last, and perhaps most importantly, I am inspired every day by the memory of my mentor and predecessor, Jane Reddin. Jane lived with a passion and conviction that I strive to emulate. Under her mentorship, I learned how to hold to my convictions and ‘practice what you preach’ so to speak. She taught me how to manage the business, how to manage employees, and how to build relationships with the artists and community members who are so important to the mission of Practical Art. Most importantly, Jane showed me what it looks like to love and live happy in your own skin. Jane lived with honesty and integrity, and I do my absolute best to follow in her footsteps.

Pricing:

• My photo transfer postcards are available for purchase through practical art. I sell them for $12 each

Contact Info:

• Address: Practical Art
  5070 N Central Avenue
  Phoenix, AZ 85012
• Website: practical-art.com, lisaolsonphotography.com
• Phone: 602-264-1414
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @practicalartphx
• Facebook: facebook.com/PracticalArt
• Twitter: @practicalart

Image Credit:
Heather Kirchhofer of Agnes Art & Photo, Practical Art

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