Meet Allison May Jensen of Orange Easel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison May Jensen.

Hi Allison May, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started teaching art classes for preschool and elementary-aged artists out of my basement studio back in 2012. Growing up in Illinois, I took art lessons from a local artist who taught out of her basement too—Mrs. Funk. Her classes were some of my favorite childhood memories, and the things I learned from her still stick with me today. She really inspired me to build something similar in my own community.

By 2014, I had nearly 100 students and knew it was time to move out of the basement and bring on a team. That year, we opened the first Orange Easel studio in Liberty with a teaching staff of 10—many of whom are still with us today! In 2018, we opened our second location in Platte Woods to serve even more Northland families on the west side of town.

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?
I don’t think running a small business is ever completely smooth! My background is in restaurant management and corporate training, so I came in with some helpful experience—but doing it without the structure and support of a larger company was definitely a challenge. We’ve been learning and growing ever since, always adapting to be what we need to be for our artsy families. There are no set rules for how we build our business or our team, and while that can be scary, it’s also incredibly exciting.

One of the biggest hurdles we faced–of course–was the COVID-19 pandemic. Having to close our doors for a few months and then restrict our class sizes for the next year, as definitely a challenge financially. Like a lot of businesses, we pivoted quickly to online learning. I’m really proud of how fast our team pulled together to make it happen. At the peak of the stay-at-home orders, we were offering hundreds of live art classes over Zoom. That experience ended up shaping part of who we are—we still offer live, virtual classes three times a week through our online art club. It’s been a great way to serve artists who can’t travel to the studio or who just enjoy creating from home.

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?
At Orange Easel, we’re in the business of making artists—not just making art. Teaching is at the core of everything we do. We believe in nurturing creativity, confidence, and skill over time, and our classes are designed to support that journey. Our goal isn’t to have everyone walk out with the same picture-perfect project—it’s to help each artist develop their own voice and vision.

What really sets us apart is our focus on people over products. We’re not a “paint what I paint” kind of place. Even when we have a project or theme in mind, our artists are the ones making the creative decisions every step of the way. We give them the tools, the techniques, and the encouragement to make art that is truly their own. No cookie-cutter projects here!

We’re most proud of the way our students grow with us—from their very first scribbles to confidently creating original work that reflects who they are. It’s a joy to be part of that learning process, and we want our community to know that we’re here to support and celebrate every artist’s creative journey.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
There’s no way I could do this alone, and I’ve been incredibly lucky to have a strong support system from the very beginning.

My husband, Brett, is my biggest cheerleader. He’s a big thinker and always encourages me to dream bigger—and then helps me bring those dreams to life. He’s also incredibly handy, which means a lot of our “date nights” involve fixing faucets or hanging shelves at the studio, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

My kids, Ryne (18) and Ava (17), both work for the business now and have been part of this journey their whole lives. Growing up in a family business isn’t always easy—the workday doesn’t really stop—but they’ve always been willing to pitch in when needed. I missed a lot of their activities in those early years, and that’s something I carry with me. But I also hope they’ve seen the value of commitment, consistency, and building something that matters.

And then there’s Sara Woolfolk, our general manager, who has been by my side since 2014—back when we were still holding classes in my basement. She’s my partner, my encourager, and a huge part of what makes Orange Easel run. I truly wouldn’t be here without her.

I also have to give credit to the incredible Orange Easel team of instructors. I’ve been so fortunate to work with amazing artists and educators who have poured their time, talent, and heart into this studio. We truly have the best team. While some have moved on to new opportunities, they’ve each left their mark, and we’re forever grateful for the impact they’ve made on our students, our studio, and our story.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.orangeeaselart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orangeeaselart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orangeeaselart/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orange-easel/
• Twitter: https://x.com/orangeeaselart
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/orangeeaselart
• Other: https://www.creationnationartclub.com/