LJ Bergren opened Collected Gallery to help bring art, beauty, and handmade goods into as many homes as possible. In this unique art gallery, she embraces affordability and supporting artists.

Collected Gallery features many different mediums, such as prints, ceramics, jewelry, and lithography. Artists are local and nationwide and are on contract for at least six months, meaning there is always new art and artists coming in every few months.

“A lot of art galleries will not sell art prints because they want to sell original art, but I just feel like there’s just way too many people who cannot afford to buy original art,” Bergren says. “I want anyone who walks into my gallery to be able to buy art for their homes no matter what their budget is.”

Located in Northeast in a small house, the gallery is currently only open Thursdays through Sundays, making it the perfect weekend shopping spot whether you’re looking to decorate a new place or refresh your existing collection. As summer approaches, Bergren plans to extend the hours as many of the employees are currently students at Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Bergren wanted to offer a large collection with lots of variety. As an artist and art collector herself, she curated this first collection with artist friends and new artists she admires. Collected Gallery also offers shipping nationwide, and packages are shipped once a week on Thursdays to keep a small carbon footprint.

“My ultimate goal is that anyone who comes in will find something that they like, and to me—ceramics and fine art, artisan goods—they all help to enhance a person’s home and just their experience of being a human being,” Bergren says.

A wide range of artists, friends of artists, and community members gathered at the successful grand opening weekend in April. Bergren says the community’s response has been great, with many commenting about how approachable the gallery is as well as the accessible prices—two things she hopes to be able to provide the community in opening this gallery.

“I grew up very poor, so that’s one reason why I’m very sensitive and mindful of having things for everyone,” Bergren says. “Most of my friends and family can’t afford to buy original art, so I just would never ever want people to feel excluded.”

She was looking for a space for a few years before settling on this one, but this isn’t her first time working in an art gallery. Her experience with her studio in Northrop King and working at Three Rooms in the Galleria in college provided her with the knowledge to open her own. As a Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association member, Collected Gallery opened in time for its first Art-A-Whirl, featuring new artists, prints, and ceramics. Bergren also plans to host events in the gallery’s upstairs room, such as artists talks and paint and sips.

“To me, it’s like not my business, it’s everyone’s business. It’s my employees and it’s my artists that I represent. I just happen to be the person who put it together,” Bergren says.

168 13th Ave. NE, Mpls.