The Grand Hand Gallery has new owners, and their mission is to make everyone feel seen.
“We want to create a space that is inviting and welcoming to everyone,” co-owner Rachael Hartzler says. “We are featuring a broad variety of artists with different backgrounds so that whoever comes into our gallery can relate to a piece of art in some way.”
Rachael and her husband Jim Jacobson took over the Grand Hand in September 2022.
“Art is for everyone,” Jim says. “We can't please everybody all the time, but we want people to feel that this place is for them. Some art may challenge people, but that is good. Art is made for engagement and thinking.”
Rachael is an artist who makes jewelry and illustrations. Jim is an art connoisseur who enjoys supporting the local community.
“I’m not a practicing artist, but have collected different types of art for years,” he says. “Rachael is really the one who introduced me to the art world.”
Several years ago, Rachael started connecting with other artists around Grand Avenue in St. Paul while she was selling her work out of her home.
“The local art community is vibrant,” she says. “Jim and I loved meeting people, seeing their pieces and hearing their stories. This gave us the idea to host a few Grand Micro Art Fairs from our front yard.”
Visitors of the fair loved the event and expressed the need for a more permanent space.
In the Fall of 2021, the couple decided to open Grand Micro Gallery, an art gallery and shop that offered a variety of creations from local and national artists.
“We loved the Grand Micro Gallery and it worked for us for a while, but when we heard the previous Grand Hand owners were thinking of selling, we knew we had to jump at the opportunity,” Rachael says.
They both had been long-time customers of the gallery and really loved the atmosphere.
“I always stopped in for the beautiful cards,” Rachael says. “The place made me feel safe and invited. I was so happy to hear we could even get a chance to own it.”
Jim added, “You could say this has all been a grand sequence of events – living on Grand Avenue, doing Grand Micro Art Fairs, opening up the Grand Micro Gallery and then purchasing the Grand Hand.”
It has now been just over five months since the two took over and they are enjoying it.
“The transition has been interesting, and we could not have done it without the staff here,” Jim says. “We kept all six employees and some of them have been here for decades. They all have an incredible level of expertise.”
As Rachael and Jim navigate their new ownership, they don’t plan on making big changes right away.
“We want to build a stronger internet presence through social media and an online store, but we don’t foresee any major renovations to the building,” Rachael says. “We plan to keep working with all the previous artists as well.”
Jim added, “The Grand Hand Gallery has been around since 2004 and the past three owners have done incredible things. We don’t want to mess too much with what is working. We only want to add to it.”
The gallery will still sell cards and showcase work in various mediums, including clay, wood, glass, metal, fiber and jewelry. It currently features over 100 artists.
“We are adding a section for emerging artists, giving a chance to those who haven’t been seen a lot yet,” Jim says. “That is a big goal for us. I encourage anyone out there who is willing to let us see their work, to email us at submissions@thegrandhand.com. We want to see your work.”
The pair also plan to collaborate with local organizations to draw in more people to the gallery.
“We are working with Art to Change the World, who will curate shows and host events in our space,” Rachael explains. “We also will continue our partnership with The Mississippi Market Co-Op and members of the market get 10% off at our gallery. As we get the gallery’s name out there, we hope for more partnerships.”
The future of the gallery is bright, according to its new owners.
“We’re excited for what’s coming next and grateful for all that has already been done,” Jim says. “I know we will never get bored here because we love what we do. It’s the best job, connecting artists and customers.”
The Grand Hand Gallery is located at 619 Grand Ave. in St. Paul. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit
thegrandhand.com/ for more information.
“We want to create a space that is inviting and welcoming to everyone."