The Rock and Art Shop was established in 2024 to bring a rock and lapidary shop to Greater St. Cloud. They are a unique destination for those interested in rocks, gems, minerals, and lapidary arts. As a family-owned and operated establishment, the Christensens offer a personal touch and a rich experience that extends beyond just shopping. The shop showcases a diverse collection of Lake Superior Agates, minerals, and other gemstones sourced both locally from Minnesota and from various parts of the world.
Mark & Sara Christensen, owners of The Rock and Art Shop, grew up in Sartell. “We both attended St. Cloud State University and then graduate school took us to Michigan. We eventually settled back in Central MN. We have always shared a love for nature, geology, and traveling. Mark has been creating nature-inspired jewelry for several years and has spent half his life rock-hunting. After visiting an art collective that sold Mark’s jewelry in Colorado, we were inspired to blend the art collective vibe with our own vision of a rock shop. We wanted to bring together our passions for both rocks and art. Our shop opened to the public in early February 2024!”
Inspired by the natural beauty of stones and artistic expression, their shop combines a traditional rock shop with an art gallery. “Our shop is a place where visitors can explore geological wonders and also appreciate artwork inspired by nature, making it a fusion of science and creativity. We offer jewelry-making classes, lapidary workshops, lapidary equipment/supplies, and geological exploration to create a space where people can actively engage with their interests in rocks and art. With Mark’s deep knowledge and love for rocks and our community focus, our shop is built on a genuine passion for sharing the beauty of nature and creativity with others,” shared Sara.
“Our rock shop is a true passion project. While it’s not our full-time job, we are beyond excited to have had the chance to bring this vision to life. We hope that one day, it may grow into a full-time venture. For now, we are grateful to be able to balance this creative outlet with our careers and watch our shop become a unique space where people can explore, create, and connect.”
The Rock and Art Shop features local artists and provides a space for them to showcase their work. They also collaborate with artists to offer educational classes. “We hope our shop brings an element of connection and pride to St. Cloud. One of the best parts of running our shop has been connecting with the community and hearing people’s reactions to the space we have created. One thing that has really surprised us is just how much time children spend exploring our shop. They are captivated by the variety of rocks and minerals, especially the UV-reactive minerals we have on display. It reminds us of the pure wonder that these natural treasures can evoke, especially in young minds. We have been blown away by how many people have come forward to contribute items, ideas, and encouragement. It feels like the community is rallying behind us. We are constantly learning from people in the community and feel incredibly grateful for the support. St. Cloud has many great organizations focused on supporting small businesses and improving our community.”
The next time you find yourself out and about, looking for a unique gift, or even just to learn something new, swing by The Rock and Art Shop and check them out! You can visit their website for events and class updates or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
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