Jenna Johnson stands in one of the spaces she created at Blue Earth’s 10 Talent Arts Center. Her business was named Business of the Year Award by the Blue Earth Chamber of Commerce.
The owner of the Blue Earth Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year award was honestly almost shocked when she was told the news.
“You know, I don’t consider myself a business owner.” says Jenna Johnson, owner of 10 Talent Arts Center. “That’s what I wanted to build on the blue planet, but yes, it’s also a business.”
Her original dream was to create a space where art and music could be taught and enjoyed.
“I wanted to find a place where I could give piano lessons.” she says. “It’s grown into all of this. But honestly, my favorite thing is still giving piano lessons.”
She and other music instructors have been giving lessons at the 10 Talents Arts Center since it opened four years ago.
Some of the other classes are taught by Laura Larson who teaches piano, Clarissa Smith voice lessons, Ryan Lano who teaches guitar, Jesse Moore who teaches violin, and more.
“Laura is a wonderful piano teacher.” Johnson says. “And I’m so grateful to Clarissa. I’m certainly not a voice teacher, and I could use someone else for that.”
Johnson, too, is now back to teaching painting and says classes will be held more frequently.
One of the popular classes is “Paint and Sip” group. Groups meet monthly, although drinks of choice are optional. Rochelle Karp and Johnson teach classes every other month.
There were other classes as well, including a cake decorating class and a candle making class.
But it’s music that Johnson loves, and he derives much joy from teaching music to children.
“I have suffered from depression in the past.” she says. “And it was the music that got me through it.”
And I’ve been busy. Johnson did much of the construction and remodeling of what is now 10 Talents Art Center.
It took her more than a year to completely transform the former printing factory into what it is today.
Next, there is a very large event center behind the arts center.
“Our side room with the fireplace wasn’t big enough to hold a music recital.” she says. “So we finished a big lining for the hall, which my husband, Aaron, will be a storage area for.”
The back hall is available for hire and hosts a number of events, from wedding receptions to large conferences and other large events.
“We wanted to be able to host events.” Johnson says. “But to be honest, it’s not really about me, running the event center. I’d like to find someone else to take it over.”
She, of course, wants to focus on music and painting.
But the event center has other ideas. Johnson is considering bringing in some entertainment, and she is also considering holding an arts fair this fall.
She says she and Aaron are the only ones left in the house so they have some more time.
“Spencer is 10 years old and at school.” She says giving a little overview. “Joshua is a full-time truck driver. Cynthia and her husband live in Georgia and have three young children. Jacob has two children. He is going to college at BYU in Utah. , Jaime is preparing to do two years of mission work.
Some of her family will be able to see her receive the Chamber of Commerce’s Bank of Commerce Award on Monday night, February 3rd, at the Riverside Town and Country Golf Course.
“I’m very humbled by all of this, a special honor from the room.” Johnson says. “I love what I do. The benefit is that I connect with a lot of different people, and the students who ask me to play the piano mean a lot to me.”
Johnson wants to be sure. Special thanks to her husband, Dr. Aaron Johnson.
“I really want to trust my husband with everything.” she says. “He selfishly had me spend literally all of his money on this project and never complained about it because it made me happy.
