Lauren Olson, an art teacher from Oshkosh, has brought historical significance and artistic beauty to North Platte through her impressive patriotic Canteen mural located at the foot of the Jeffers Street overpass. The talented artist, who is the daughter of longtime North Platte St. Pats history teacher Diane Ostermeyer, has established herself as a prominent mural painter throughout Nebraska and beyond.
Olson's passion for art began at an early age, as she fell in love with drawing and painting around the time she was old enough to pick up a pencil. Born in Boulder, Colorado, and raised in Oshkosh, she now travels extensively throughout the region to create stunning murals on the sides of buildings in various communities.
The North Platte mural is painted on the side of a new building that houses Hide Park Apparel, which will eventually become home to a much-anticipated startup business owned by Josh and Kate Sperle. Olson connected with Prairie Arts Center Executive Director Holly Carlini about painting murals in the North Platte area, which led to her collaboration with the Sperles. The building previously served as the location for George Hipple Photography.
To ensure historical accuracy for her Canteen-themed artwork, Olson conducted extensive research on the renowned North Platte Canteen. She studied artifacts and exhibits at the Lincoln County Historical Museum and read "Once Upon a Town" by Bob Greene to gain deeper insight into this significant piece of local history. After completing her research and design work, she used a computer projector to outline the image on the building's exterior wall.
The painting process required dedication and strategic planning. Working primarily in the evenings to take advantage of the quiet atmosphere and cooler temperatures, Olson and her assistant Julia Chestnut spent approximately one week completing the mural, finishing their work in early July.
Olson's inspiration for mural painting traces back to her high school athletic career, when she would notice murals painted on school buildings where she competed. This exposure motivated her to try her hand at the art form, and she has since excelled in the field. Together with her students, she has created murals in numerous western Nebraska communities, including Chappel, Bridgeport, Oshkosh, Big Springs, Howells, and Benkelman. Her artistic reach extends beyond Nebraska, as she has also painted murals in Lincoln and Kansas City.
According to her website, Olson's artistic mission focuses on honoring the past while reviving the charm of small-town life through her work. Her mural projects have garnered significant regional and statewide recognition, including being featured in a PBS documentary titled "The Magic of Murals." She has also been highlighted in television segments and newspaper feature stories throughout the region.
Olson's educational background includes graduation from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) in 2012. That same fall, she began her teaching career at Garden County Schools in Oshkosh, where she continues to serve as an art teacher. During her time at UNL, she was actively involved in campus media as both an illustrator and photographer for the Daily Nebraskan. She also performed as the university's beloved mascots, Lil Red and Herbie Husker, adding to her diverse range of experiences in art and entertainment.
