Today we’d like to introduce you to Jana K. Lensing.
Hi Jana K., so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have been an artist, my entire life-drawing, painting and creating. From a very young age, I developed a deep appreciation for the arts. I love visual arts, playing the piano, enjoy bringing characters to life on stage and I continued dancing and performing into adulthood. It’s easy to say, I love the arts and I fell in love with the Twin Cities Art and Theatre scene after attending college at Bethel in St. Paul, on an art scholarship, as an art major and theatre minor. Although I never finished my degree because I wasn’t sure where my path would lead, life had other plans. I met and fell in love with my husband and we started a family. I enjoyed staying home to raise our two daughters and when they were heading out to college themselves, I was looking for a new role for myself. To say I was shocked to find an art gallery in the small town of Lindstrom is an understatement. There was an ad that I found, while looking for employment, for an Assistant Gallery Director right here in Lindstrom. I was very excited to learn more about this space and the artists represented in the unique gallery that no one in my circles knew about.
I was hired by MaryAnn Jindra to be her Assistant Gallery Director at Gustaf’s Up North Gallery in Lindstrom, Minnesota in January 2017. One week later, I dreamed that I owned the place; I did not share this with anyone, not even my husband. I dismissed it as inflated ego, assuming I was simply excited to be working my dream job in an art gallery. Nearly two months later, MaryAnn asked me to sit down as she wanted to share something she called crazy. She had been dreaming that I was the person she had been looking for; would I be interested in a succession plan. We had a very prayerful moment understanding that what we were experiencing was bigger than us. After two years of mentorship, we completed the succession plan and I became the owner in October 2019. I appreciated all of the work she had put in place as an art gallery, gift shop and custom picture frame shop. I could see more potential and growth in expanding the audience. Gustaf’s Up North Gallery supported around 30 regional artists. I intended to focus on local artists and expand to all budgets. I believe that art is for all.
Six months later, Covid happened and my store as well as most small businesses in Minnesota were shut down from March 16th through May 18th. We pivoted to virtual and online shopping and our community rallied around us, “We want to make sure you are still here when this is over.” My daughter, Jocelyn, contracted with me to rebuild our website, set up social media and kept all of our marketing and events her focus. She grew our audience and was pivotal in our rebranding and growth. My employees and I made serious use of the quiet time during the shut down, completing projects that hadn’t received attention in over a decade. We also used the time to rebrand the business from Gustaf’s to Glädje. The historical name Gustaf belongs to the Gustaf Anderson house next door which opened as a restaurant in 2018, Gustaf’s On Main Eatery. People thought we owned both the gallery and the restaurant and daily, we received phone calls making lunch reservations or ordering their chicken pot pie. We knew we needed to change the name. We brought our audience and artists along asking for new ideas. The word Delight came up often but I found that it reminded me of a dessert shop. One of our branding experts asked what “Delight” translates to in Swedish? “Glädje”. It also means “Joy” in Norwegian. I thought, Glädje is obscure enough for an art gallery and the Scandinavians will approve in our community – America’s Little Sweden. Delight is also found in the scripture verse Philipians 4:8. An inspired version hangs next to our front entrance in a water color painting: “Dwell with truth beauty and goodness and Delight in these things”
Glädje continues to grow and thrive through our mission and values: Art is for All. We believe art should be attainable at any budget. Supporting local artists matters because we love where we live. Sustainable practices reflect our commitment to our environment and community, and education remains an essential part of building a thriving, creative culture.
Within the first year we had expanded to over 40 artists and kept growing. Glädje Art, Gifts & Framing quickly became recognizable through our navy blue building and tulip logo, drawing in people who had never stepped through our doors before. Our custom picture framing is consistently busy as we continue to provide excellent, affordable framing for any budget while using sustainable materials and always modeling “do no harm” for every client’s project. Following the sustainability rule, we elevated our gifts section to locally sourced gifts and products from Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. We added a new pillar to the business – classes. My daughter Alysse came to work for me and she started our arts education wing and grew that space over the next four years. We teach visual arts, primarily, and have offered literary classes as well. We offer classes on a weekly basis and our studio space is available for open studio time to anyone wanting to play with their materials and tools in self-guided time. Seven years later, we now represent over 80 local artists from Minnesota and Wisconsin and are well known for our exceptional selection of gifts, custom framing and classes.
We created a Feature Hall space at the front of our building to showcase one featured artist every eight weeks. This artist is featured in a large way with sometimes 40 or more pieces of artwork allowing visitors to experience a lifetime of work or the full breadth of an artist’s talent. I re-curate the entire gallery quarterly to keep it fresh and new. From the beginning, we established annual events that have become community traditions: our Spring Art Celebration, Karl Oskar Days Artist Demonstrations and tent event in July, Art On the Block Art Fair is the last Saturday in September and in November, Scandinavian Christmas Market to kick off the holidays. We also hold an Ugly Christmas Sweater Days in December, a hilarious way to offer discounts and sales. We love collaborating with our local business community whenever the opportunity arises.
In my seventh year now, I feel incredibly grateful to welcome visitors through our doors every day, connect them with local artists, and create a space where people feel inspired to explore their own creativity. Glädje has become so much more than a gallery—it’s a community gathering place built on the belief that art belongs to everyone. I still see opportunities for growth ahead, but I never lose sight of how remarkable it is that a dream I kept to myself all those years ago became the life I get to live today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it certainly has not been a smooth road, but every challenge has taught me something valuable.
The biggest challenge came just six months after becoming the owner of the gallery when COVID forced us to close our doors. Like so many small businesses, we suddenly had to figure out how to survive without knowing when we would reopen. We pivoted quickly to online shopping and virtual engagement, and I’ll never forget our community saying, “We want to make sure you’re still here when this is over.” Their support carried us through one of the most uncertain times in our business.
Owning a small business also means wearing many hats. There have been long days, difficult decisions, and a constant balancing act between being an artist and being a business owner. Those are very different skill sets, and I’ve had to grow into the business side while staying true to the creative heart of Glädje.
Like many small businesses, we continue to navigate an uncertain economy. An art gallery isn’t a necessity in the traditional sense, so when families are watching their budgets, purchasing original art and handmade gifts is often delayed. That can be challenging because every sale supports more than our gallery—it supports local artists, makers, our employees, and the creative community we’ve worked so hard to build.
Perhaps the greatest lesson has been learning to trust the process. Looking back, there were many moments when I couldn’t see what was ahead—from leaving college without a clear direction, to taking a chance on a job at a little gallery in Lindström, to navigating a pandemic almost immediately after becoming its owner. Each challenge has reinforced my belief that when you stay grounded in your values, surround yourself with good people, and remain open to learning, difficult seasons often become the foundation for unexpected growth.
Despite the challenges, I remain hopeful. Every person who walks through our doors matters. Whether someone purchases an original painting, has a treasured piece framed, signs up for a class, or simply finds inspiration while visiting, they become part of what allows us to continue serving artists and our community.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Glädje Art, Gifts, Framing & Classes was built on one simple belief: Art is for All.
We believe everyone deserves to experience original art, whether they are a seasoned collector, someone purchasing their very first piece, or simply looking for a thoughtful handmade gift. Our goal has always been to make art approachable, welcoming, and attainable for every budget.
Today, Glädje represents more than 80 artists from Minnesota and Wisconsin and offers original artwork in every medium, custom picture framing, locally made gifts, Scandinavian imports, and a vibrant arts education program. We also host rotating exhibitions in our Feature Hall, community events throughout the year, and classes that encourage people of all ages to explore their own creativity.
One of the things that sets us apart is that we are more than a gallery—we are a gathering place. Visitors often tell us they feel inspired the moment they walk through our doors. Whether someone comes in to find the perfect piece of artwork, preserve a treasured family memory through custom framing, take a class, or simply spend a few quiet moments surrounded by beauty, we want everyone to feel welcome.
Our custom framing department has also become one of the cornerstones of our business. We specialize in helping people preserve what matters most, whether it’s original artwork, family heirlooms, photographs, textiles, or meaningful keepsakes. Every project is thoughtfully designed with sustainable materials whenever possible and guided by our “do no harm” philosophy, ensuring that each piece is protected for generations to come.
What I am most proud of isn’t simply what we’ve built—it’s the community that has grown around it. Glädje has become a place where local artists are celebrated, creativity is nurtured, students discover new talents, and neighbors gather to experience beauty together. Every decision we make reflects our commitment to supporting artists, strengthening our community, practicing sustainability, and creating opportunities for people to connect through art.
At its heart, Glädje isn’t just about selling art. It’s about creating joy, inspiring creativity, and reminding people that beauty has the power to enrich everyday life.
How do you think about happiness?
Being in the gallery, surrounded by beauty and extraordinary talent, brings me joy every single day. I am passionate about everything we do here, but what makes me happiest isn’t simply the artwork—it’s the people.
At Glädje, we create belonging. Every person who walks through our doors matters. One of my favorite moments is watching someone discover a piece of artwork that speaks to them. Sometimes it’s a quiet gasp, a smile, or simply watching their shoulders relax as they stand in front of a painting. Those moments remind me that art has the power to slow us down, help us feel, and connect us to something bigger than ourselves.
Those quiet moments of wonder happen every day, and I never grow tired of witnessing them.
I also treasure the relationships we’ve built over the years. I love welcoming longtime customers back, meeting their children and grandchildren, and getting to know visitors who are discovering us for the very first time. Whether someone leaves with an original painting, a beautifully framed family heirloom, or simply the feeling of having spent time in a place that inspired them, I hope everyone leaves knowing they belong here.
Those moments of connection are what make this work so meaningful, and they are what bring me the greatest joy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gladjegallery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gladjegallery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gladje
