The Sheep River Artist in Residence program is delighted to unveil the three community members who have inspired, encouraged and dedicated their time to making Okotoks the wonderful community that it is. Tanya Zakarow, the first-ever Sheep River Artist-in-Residence, will be painting portraits of these individuals in her unique artistic style.
Thirteen individuals were nominated with over 1,500 votes. The three finalists were selected by a committee after a review that weighed the voting numbers, with other factors, such as volunteer work, community impact and service to the Town.
Those individuals are:
Ron Schreiber - Ron Schreiber was the Chairman of the board of Trustees for Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools and a longtime resident of Okotoks before passing away in the fall of 2021. He was a dedicated musician who was part of the St. James Catholic Church choir and gave his time to help elevate the music at the church through his skilled singing and guitar playing.
Lori Chibry - Lori Chibry stands as another remarkable nominee. Through her many years working as a Kindergarten teacher at Big Rock School, she’s had a lasting impact on the Okotoks community. After a fight with cancer, Lori passed away unexpectedly in November 2022. She will always be remembered for loving all children equally and with all her heart.
Marg Cox – Marg Cox is well known in Okotoks and has been playing major roles in the community for over three decades. She was recognized for of her years of dedication to almost every aspect of Okotoks life. From fostering community pride by volunteering at sporting events to going above and beyond as a Town of Okotoks Events Specialist. She was inducted into the Okotoks Hall of Fame in 2017 as a Community Builder in the Community Service area.
Also picked is Mayor Tanya Thorn.
The artist-in-residence initiative is a collaboration between the Town of Okotoks, the Okotoks Public Library, and the Okotoks Arts Council. This partnership celebrates the town's vibrant spirit and honours its remarkable individuals through the power of art.
The Sheep River Artist in Residence program runs the entire month of September in conjunction with the Month of the Artist. For more information about the Sheep River Artist in Residence program, please visit okotoks.ca.
Lori Chibry
(Nominated by Paul Rasporich) | Lori Chibry, through her many years working as a Kindergarten teacher at Big Rock School, had a lasting impact on the Okotoks community. She helped shape the lives of many children as they first started school, giving them care and support as they began their education. After a fight with cancer, Lori passed away unexpectedly in November 2022. She will always be remembered for loving all children equally and with all her heart. She is the best teacher I have known. She built good people. |
Ron Schreiber
(Nominated by Michael Metcalf) | Ron Schreiber was the Chairman of the board of Trustees for Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools and a longtime resident of Okotoks before passing away in the fall of 2021. He was one of the kindest and most genuine people I've ever met and anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him would say the same. Ron spent years as a trustee and later as the board chair representing Okotoks with Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools. He was a dedicated musician who was part of the St. James Catholic Church choir and gave his time to help elevate the music at the church through his skilled singing and guitar playing. |
Marg Cox
(Nominated by Marni Hutchinson) | Marg has been the face of so many community events over the years. She is a fixture of the volunteer committee and can be seen volunteering at virtually every event imaginable. She has been instrumental in building a sense of community through many of the long-lasting events that have been going for years and are still around today such as the Okotoks Parade, Light Up Okotoks and more. Marg Cox has devoted three decades to the Okotoks community, whether it was organizing events as the town’s community events coordinator or as a tireless volunteer and supporter of numerous organizations and charities. Marg worked for the Town of Okotoks for 28 years, spearheading many community events, which have become embedded in Okotoks’ culture. She went far above and beyond her normal job to foster community pride by organizing Canada Day celebrations, the Okotoks Rodeo, Birth of a Nation Day, Kite Day, the Old-Fashioned Country Fair and participating in numerous school events. After Marg’s retirement, her community involvement continued to expand. She served as president of the Foothills Country Hospice Society, is a founding member of the Foothills Ladies Compassion Cup, and is a huge supporter of many local charities. |
