Lisa Olson is a Phoenix photographer and local independent business owner. Born and raised in the Valley of the Sun, Lisa is passionate about the power of art. She has spent the past 10+ years working to expand and promote the arts community in Phoenix. After graduating from Arizona State University in 2005 with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in Photography, Lisa spent 3 years traveling the state as a photojournalist with the East Valley Tribune. Following her exploits, in 2008, she joined the team at Practical Art, a locally owned art gallery featuring the work of Arizona artists. Lisa assumed ownership of Practical Art in January 2011, with the blessing of previous owner, Jane Reddin, who had been diagnosed with leukemia.
Lisa has continued to hone and develop her photography skills, holding exhibits at Practical Art, Modified Arts and Chaos Theory. However, her energy and passion is more often directed in service to the local community through Practical Art. Under her leadership, Practical Art has grown to host the work of more than 130 local artists and offers classes and events that support community engagement with artists and nonprofits. A member of Valley Leadership Class 37, Lisa harnesses her leadership and entrepreneurial skills to engage and improve Phoenix through interaction with the arts.