Lacey Eidem shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Lacey, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Opening Lacey Eidem Art Studio feels big in a way that’s hard to put into words. My husband, Evan put so much time and care into this place with flooring and painting and trim and all the things that are so boring to make the space EVERYTHING I want it to be, magical and weird and a community destination! Every late night project he tackled helped turn this studio into a real home for creativity. Standing in it now, I feel proud of what I’ve built and grateful for everything he did to help make it real.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Lacey Eidem is a Minnesota-based artist, educator, and creative entrepreneur whose vibrant, emotionally charged watercolor portraits have become a signature presence in the region’s contemporary art scene. Known for her bold, non‑traditional approach to watercolor — blending heavy-handed mark-making, expressive linework, and intuitive finger-painting techniques — Eidem creates work that pulses with intensity, vulnerability, and human connection. Her style is unmistakably her own: raw, whimsical, and deeply alive.
Born and raised in the Midwest, Eidem earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in painting from the University of South Dakota in 2008 and a bachelor’s degree in education from South Dakota State University in 2011. Over the years, she has developed a practice rooted in emotional storytelling, exploring themes of confinement, escape, identity, and resilience. Her portraits often feel like conversations — layered, intimate, and unafraid to reveal the tension between fragility and strength.
In 2026, Eidem opened Lacey Eidem Art Studio in St. Joseph, Minnesota, a hybrid retail, teaching, and creative community space designed to make art accessible to everyone. The studio reflects her belief that art should be inclusive, affordable, and woven into everyday life. Alongside her original paintings, she offers commissions, fine art printing services, classes for all skill levels, and curated work from local artists. The space functions not only as a working studio but as a welcoming hub for connection, collaboration, and creative exploration.
Eidem’s work and teaching philosophy center on empowerment — especially for women and marginalized voices — using visual metaphor, expressive color, and poetic titling to challenge societal pressures and celebrate personal agency. Her pieces often carry a sense of mythic or folkloric resonance, remixing familiar symbols into modern, emotionally resonant narratives.
Whether she is painting, teaching, or building community through her studio, Lacey Eidem approaches every project with curiosity, generosity, and a fierce commitment to authenticity. Her art invites viewers to feel deeply, to question boldly, and to find beauty in the complicated, luminous edges of being human.Lacey Eidem Art Studio Opens in St. Joseph, Minnesota, Bringing a Vibrant New Creative Hub to Central Minnesota
St. Joseph, MN. Central Minnesota has a new home for creativity, community, and contemporary art with the official opening of Lacey Eidem Art Studio, a working art space and retail gallery founded by local artist Lacey Eidem. The studio is now open to the public and welcomes visitors to explore original artwork, shop prints and stickers, commission custom pieces, and access professional fine‑art printing services.
Located in the heart of St. Joseph, the studio reflects Eidem’s signature style of vibrant, emotionally charged watercolor portraiture blended with expressive, non‑traditional techniques. The space is designed not only as her personal working studio but also as an accessible, inclusive environment where art lovers, collectors, and curious newcomers can engage with creativity up close.
“Opening this studio is a dream I’ve carried for years,” said Eidem. “I wanted to build a space that feels alive, where people can see art being made, discover work that resonates with them, and feel welcomed no matter their background or experience with art.”
Studio Offerings
• Working Art Studio: Visitors can see works in progress and learn about Eidem’s process.
• Retail Art Shop: Original paintings, fine‑art prints, stickers, and small works are available for purchase.
• Commissions: Custom artwork is now open for booking, including portraits, conceptual pieces, and collaborative creative projects.
• Fine Art Printing Services: High‑quality printing for artists and collectors, with attention to color accuracy and archival standards.
As part of her commitment to community-building, Eidem is actively seeking local artists interested in exhibiting their work in the studio’s retail space. Artists may submit their contact information, website, and sample images to laceyeidem@outlook.com for consideration.
The opening of Lacey Eidem Art Studio marks a meaningful addition to the growing arts presence in St. Joseph. The studio aims to serve as a welcoming cultural touchpoint, offering approachable art experiences, supporting local makers, and fostering creative connection across the region.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
I learned the most about work from my mom. She is a true feminist boss and showed me what it looks like to stand your ground, to lead with strength and kindness, and to never apologize for taking up space. Watching her move through the world taught me that hard work isn’t just about getting things done, it’s showing up fully, owning your voice, and lifting others as you go. So much of how I work, create, and run my studio comes straight from her example.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Be louder and weirder. You don’t need to shrink to fit anything. The parts of you that feel ‘too much’ right now are the parts that will build your whole future. Trust the strange ideas and the gut feelings. You’re not meant to blend in.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to believe there was no future for my art as prints. I thought prints were just a side note. Turns out that belief was completely wrong. What started as a tiny experiment has become one of the biggest parts of my business. I’ve perfected my own printing process, built a whole side hustle around it, and now I’m getting ready to offer printing services for other artists inside my shop. The thing I once dismissed is now one of the strongest, most sustainable branches of my art career. I’m so glad I didn’t listen to that old version of myself who couldn’t imagine how far this would go.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope the story people tell about me is that I brought joy. That my artwork made someone smile on a hard day, or feel seen, or feel a little more connected to the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lacey-eidem.squarespace.com
- Instagram: @laceyeidemart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laceyeidemart
Image Credits
All artwork by Lacey Eidem
