The Lacombe Memorial Centre is where you will find the most extensive collection of artwork owned by the City of Lacombe.  On the main floor, you will see paintings and drawings by various artists, a fabulous selection of ceramic shoes and sandals by ceramicist Phemie Mcleod, pottery, and woodworking.  The hallway leading to Anna Maria’s Café often features various art exhibitions throughout the year, and artwork created by members of the Lacombe Art Guild.

While you are in the main foyer, don’t forget to look above the doors to Centennial Hall, where you will see an incredible painting of snow geese by artist Geoff Phillips.  Commissioned for the Lacombe Memorial Centre in 2009, this large and somewhat whimsical piece is a show stopper!  Once you’ve taken it in,  turn around, and above the north entrance to the building, you’ll find an incredible glass mosaic created by Voyageur Art & Tile of Red Deer.   “Elevators Ascending” is a large tiled image depicting the disappearance of grain elevators from our area.  If you look closely, you’ll see Lacombe – a small red piece of mosaic glass in the lower left hand of the mosaic.  

In the upstairs foyer, you will find more three-dimensional artworks, bronze sculptures, and paintings.  Of particular note is a life-size steel and stained glass Gretsch Guitar created by Red Deer artist Trenton Leach of Rogue Art & Design.  You’ll also notice the tall maple and woven wool lamp between the two leather couches, which was created by Kathryn Miller, a former Lacombian now living in the Vancouver area.

Lacombe’s Back Alleys and Streets Come Alive For You With Murals Depicting Lacombe Today, And At The Turn Of The Century!

Tour the murals by starting at City Hall, and following the addresses shown by each image

Lacombe City Hall – 5432 – 56 Avenue, “Eyes of the Wisdom”, Artist: Gordon Wesley

This mural was commissioned for the front of City Hall in the summer of 2025. Lacombe sits amongst many former Indigenous travelling routes, and this mural was created to depict the area before the arrival of the settlers. It features the sacred medicine Hills in the background, and an ethereal bison and Elder watching over the land.

Lacombe Performing Arts Centre - 5227 C&E Trail. Artists: Lacy & Layla Art (LALA)

Created in 2023 by LALA, a duo of incredible artists, this stunning jewel-toned mural captures the artistic magic that occurs within the facility.

Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex (GMAG) 5210 – 54 Ave. Artist Larry Hunter

“Sports & Leisure” - 2-D Digital Mural
“Signature Sports” Stainless steel autographed cutouts 
“Happy Family” Stainless Steel Mural west exterior wall 
“Lacombe Arena Through The Years”
“My Favorite Sports” Children’s artwork in upper and lower foyers

“Stuffed Animals” Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex (GMAG) 5210 – 54 Ave Artist: John Ellenberger

This playful mural featuring stuffed animals spans the south exterior wall of the Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex Spray Park.

Hey Doreen! 54th Avenue and 45thStreet Artist: Larry Hunter

This digitally created mural showcases post-war era Nanton Street (50th Street) in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s when everyone was filled with optimism and hope. It was commissioned when the original panorama of Nanton Street became inaccessible.

The Lacombe Legion 5138 49 St. Artist: Tim Giles

Features a war-time tribute of soldiers coming home. It can be found on the east wall of the Lacombe Legion Branch #79.

Clydesdales On Parade Back Alley of 51 Ave. between 49th and 50th Streets Artist: John Ellenberger

This expansive mural features Clydesdales being prepared to work the fields at the Lacombe Research Station during the early 1930s.

Fall Harvest 5020 – 51 Street A private commission by Sims Insurance Artist: John Ellenberger

Harvest scenes featuring equipment from the early 1900’s span the south and west walls of the building.

Lacombe’s Mural Mosaic 5102 50 Avenue

Created as part of the Canada 150 Mural Mosaic project. Designed in 2018 with the guidance of the Mural Mosaic Team from St. Albert, it features over five hundred individual tiles painted by residents and artists that, when put together, create larger images of our history and community features that were important to our residents at the time.

Murals Project Phase One Downtown

Artist: Time Giles

Commissioned in 2007 as a large project funded by provincial grants and Lacombe Town Council, these murals can be found in the downtown core. They span the back alleys on the north side of 50th Avenue behind the Royal Bank and many other businesses. Each scene was recreated from historical photographs, many of which were taken by Ben Cameron.

The early murals were painted directly on the buildings, and over time due to moisture or hail damage, some began to peel. Muralist Robert Murray has been commissioned several times to help us restore/maintain the Phase 1 and 2 murals.

Plows & Brands Building

51 St & 50th Ave back alley. This mural joins the John Fortune Residence Mural. The front wall features Hugo Gottschlich and his family.

In 1896, the first blacksmith shop was open in Lacombe. It was owned by John Fincham. In the years that followed, Hugo Gottschlich and John Betty also opened blacksmith shops in Lacombe.

The Leading Store Fire (Currently Nowco Hardware)

In 1940, a fire started inside the building and gutted the wood. interior.. However, as the building had been covered in brick, the exterior survived. The Burris Pumper Truck, one of Laombe’s first firetrucks arrived on scene and the volunteer fire department extinguished the flames

John Fortune Residence

This mural adjoins the Plows and Brands mural.

This mural shows one of the early homesteads that would have populated Lacombe in the early 1900s until the Depression in the 1930s. At the time of its construction, the John Fortune Residence would have been located near where the Bank of Montreal is today.

The Victoria Hotel Circa

South of the Plows & Brands Mural. This significant early wood-frame structure built in in 1894 on the corner of Barnett Avenue and Nanton Street was destroyed by fire on New Year's Day in 1911. Afterwards, new brick building was constructed on the site which is now home to the CIBC.

In 2016 and 2020 John Ellenberger was commissioned to replace two unrepairable murals. The new murals were painted on an alucobest substrate and fixed to the walls. This ensures that the murals can be moved if necessary, and they will not peel due to moisture leaching from within the buildings.

Original Doris Ballantine in the dog wagon. 1910

Updated Replacement

Original General Merchant Mural 1902

Updated replacement. Due to a fire risk, the upper floor of the mural was not replaced.

Mare and twins at the Lacombe Research Station. This mural is located east of the rear of Ugly’s pub. Due to the recent addition of an outdoor patio, there is limited access to it.

There are many more murals to be seen in this area from 1908 including the Post Office, the Interior of the McLear Pool Hall, Upper City Hall, W.L. Elliott Harness and Saddles Merchant, a panorama of Lacombe featuring the Nelson school and the Lacombe Ladder Team practicing for competitions.

Murals Project Phase Two Downtown

Artists: Tim Giles / John Ellenberger

Tim Giles began work on Theme 2 of the murals in the alleys south of main street behind BMO and other businesses. The murals were completed by John Ellenberger, who also re-created the stunning night scene in the alley behind Leto’s Restaurant & Lounge.

The Adelphi Hotel 1913

The Adelphi Hotel was built on the former site of the Albion Hotel which was destroyed by a major fire in 1906 that cleared the block. Due to new building codes, the Adelphi was constructed from brick. A legendary basement tunnel connected the hotel to the C&E Railway Station, facilitating the illicit delivery of contraband alcohol during prohibition. It was recently converted into the Lacombe Hub.

Laird Motors

In 1918, Bill Tees constructed the Tees Block to house his garage and auto sales & service. Tees eventually sold his garage to Hal Laird.There was a fire inside the garage and the interior was destroyed however the. brick exterior was undamaged. Later Laird Motors was sold and renamed McTaggart Motors and finally . Weidner Motors until they moved into a new building.

Nanton Street at Night

Behind Leto’s Restaurant & Lounge
Artist: John Ellenberger

This mural offers a unique look of Nanton Street in the 1930s. It shows the street looking North, which was illuminated by new electric street lamps.

F.W. Brett’s Furniture Store49B Avenue & 49C back alley

The exact date the building was erected is not known, however, it also served as an early undertaker’s parlor. In 1955, a fire gutted the building and it was torn down. The Tom-Boy grocery store was then constructed on the site. This building would have been located on the corner of 50th Ave and 52nd Street, where Circle K currently is.

Nanton (50th) Street North

Nanton Street was and still is a popular street for parades. This mural features a view of the street looking North. The crowds were painted into the mural, but unfortunately, the marching band that had drawn the crowds was not included.

The Cenotaph & Lest We Forget Park

The Lest We Forget Club was formed in February 1922 and was composed of wives, widows, mothers, sisters, and daughters of World War I soldiers. The Club acquired land from the Lacombe School Board for use as a Memorial Park. The marble cenotaph was unveiled in Lest We Forget Memorial Park on October 31st 1924 by R.G. Brett the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta.

Lacombe Creamery - 1904

The creamery in Lacombe was established in 1904, and a new building was constructed in 1922. In 1935, Independent Creameries came to Lacombe and provided much needed income to local farmers. Unfortunately, that building burned down in 1959. However, by 1964, the Creamery and it’s renowned Ice Cream Parlor were established in a new brick building.

Today, the UFA Cardlock sits on the former Creamery and Ice Cream Parlor site.

Other murals in Phase 2 include:

• Steam Trains at the Train Station
• The Fraser-MacDonald Agency
• The Flatiron Block
• The Texaco Station
• Michener House

Other Commissions in the City

Lions Club Ball Tournament Program
5018 – 50 Ave
A Joint Commission with Reds Source for Sports Artist: John Ellenberger

Lacombe was a hot spot for baseball with the Lacombe Lions club hosting a yearly tournament that drew semi-pro teams and major league scouts from across Canada and the northern United States. It was renowned for it’s significant prize money and ran from 1950 to 1988. This mural was re-created from an actual tournament program dated 1960.

Lacombe Golf & Country Club 100th Anniversary Mural
Private Commission by the Golf Course
Artist: John Ellenberger

Our local golf club celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2025, and this mural was privately commissioned to commemorate and celebrate the occasion.

City of Lacombe Attractions
Located at the west entrance to Lacombe on Hwy 12
Artist: Lauren Cowles

This mural was commissioned in 2025, and shows the many attractions and things you can see and do in Lacombe. From shopping, to visiting the world’s largest fish hook or visiting the dog park, there’s lots to enjoy while you are here!

Alchemy of Flavor 3413 53 Ave.
A private commission by Blindman Brewing
Artists: AJA Louden and Clay Lowe.

This stunning mural was created for the exterior of the brewery and features all the ingredients used to create their award-winning brews!

Gone But Not Forgotten

Not all our murals are featured, and sadly some are no longer viewable due to being painted directly on buildings that have been re-stored or resurfaced. Today, our murals are created on a moveable substrate so that if changes are made to the building the mural can be re-located.

Nanton Street Panorama

This mural became inaccessible when a new building was built beside it. The mural Hey Doreen on 54th Avenue was created as an updated replacement.

Lacombe Train Station

The Lacombe Train Station was always a busy place. Many horses and carts were used to bring luggage and other supplies, such as coal, to the train. This mural featured the original train station, prior to the explosion in 1911.

Field Day at the Research Station

The Federal Research Station was founded in Lacombe in 1907. Quite often, the public was invited up to the Station to see what kind of work the agricultural scientists were doing or for cattle auctions. This mural features a coffee tent at one such Field Day.

Ben Cameron Photo Studio

Ben Cameron was a resident photographer in Lacombe from 1910 to 1965. He was the primary historical photographer in our community, and many of the photographs at the Lacombe Museum and Michener House are stamped with his name.

Note: The murals featured in this document were commissioned by the City of Lacombe Beautification or Art Collection Committees, or private businesses who followed the mural approval process as per Land Use Bylaw #400. This process ensures the integrity of Lacombe’s Historic Mural program in the downtown core. Information and photographs used to create the murals has been provided by the Lacombe Museum & Archives.

The Artists are next…..

Lauren Cowles Lauren is a multi-disciplinary artist, muralist, and educator based in Lacombe. With over 25 years of experience, her work is characterized by vibrant colors and a focus on community identity through large-scale public installations and mixed media.

John Ellenberger Often known as "Little John," John Ellenberger is a veteran Canadian airbrush artist, sign painter, and muralist based in Central Alberta. With a career spanning over four decades, he is recognized for his large-scale public murals that depict regional history with meticulous realism.

Tim Giles Tim is a self-taught Canadian muralist and fine artist primarily recognized as the foundational artist behind Lacombe, Alberta's reputation as the "Mural Capital of Alberta. Tim moved to BC ten years ago, and we wish him the best in his adventures as an artist

Larry Hunter Larry is a freelance artist, illustrator and muralist living in British Columbia. He and Cornel Hansen also created the Torii fountain that graces Bruns Pond in Lacombe each summer.

Lacy & Layla Lacy Jane Wilburn lives in Vancouver and is an oil painter and muralist. Layla Folkmann is a painter and public artist based in Edmonton. Together, they have created murals across the globe.

AJA Louden & Clay Lowe AJA and Clay are prominent Edmonton-based artists and designers who frequently collaborate on public art, murals, and environmental design projects. While both maintain independent practices, their joint ventures are known for blending contemporary graffiti styles with structured graphic design.

Robert Murray Robert is a St. Albert-based artist and muralist who uses large-scale paintings and murals to create a comforting and inspirational environment, often within healthcare settings. He has created several outdoor murals in central Alberta.

Gordon Wesley Gordon is a renowned Stoney artist and storyteller from the Bighorn Reserve (Treaty 6/7 territory) in Alberta. He is recognized for his vivid, large-scale public murals and landscape paintings that celebrate Indigenous heritage and the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

Ingo the Dog

Vesta Energy Fish & Fetch Park Lacombe’s newest sculptural addition can be found at the new Vesta Energy Fish & Fetch Park located between 53 Avenue and 34 Street, across from Blindman Brewery. “Ingo” the dog was created by Canmore artist Cedar Mueller. This striking sculpture was created from recycled metal, and is the second of her pieces to be added to the public art collection.

Kinetic Tree

The Kinetic Tree which is located at the corner of highways 2A and 12, was created by Edmonton based sculptor William Johnson to honor Lacombe’s beautiful trees and green spaces. Look closely and you can find birds floating in the breeze between the branches.

Blacksmith Shop Museum

North of the Kinetic Tree on 49th Street, is a beautiful sculpture located outside the historic Blacksmith Shop Museum. While not an official piece of the public art collection, this hand-forged metal horse created by area blacksmiths is definitely worth seeing!

Popow’s Park

If you would like to continue your walk, or perhaps use a vehicle, you can head north on 49th Street to 54th Avenue where you will find Popow’s Park. Near the playground, is an imaginative fantasy wood sculpture of a Wizard and the recent addition of a dragon seated at the top of a stack of books as she reads to a tiny mouse in her hand.  Chainsaw artist Darren Jones of Ponoka, Alberta, created both pieces for our community to enjoy.

Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex

A couple blocks west, is the Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex (5210 - 54 Avenue). Here you will find numerous pieces created by Larry Hunter of Oliver, BC. Larry’s works include

• Large multi-piece mural of the activities that occur in the facility
• Three metal signature pieces in the main foyer
• Two walls of children’s artwork
• “The Happy Family” installed outside on the west wall

Also at the Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex, you will see John Ellenberger’s mural of stuffed animals painted on the north wall of the splash park.

Mayor’s Park

From the Sportsplex, head west to 58th Street and 52 Avenue to Mayor’s Park, where you will find three huge metal pine cones created by Ontario Artist Floyd Elzinga. The patina on these pine cones makes them seem so real!

Police Services Building

The last sculpture in Lacombe can be found on the east side at the Police Services Building, located at 5301 Wolf Creek Drive. Artist Nathan Scott has created a full-size bronze sculpture of a police officer to welcome you to the facility.

Bruns Pond

During the summer months, you can see a unique sculptural fountain in Bruns Pond, located at Woodland Drive and Heritage Way. The Bonsai Fountain was created by Larry Hunter to honor our sister city of Rikubetsu Japan, and you can view it at the south end near the walking bridge.