Burnsville CEO wears ‘rose-colored glasses’ 2A Senate passes bill that includes budget cuts 8A Governor pledges more money for education 9A
TAD JOHNSON T.W. BUDIG T.W. BUDIG
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DATE ##, 2009 FEBRUARY 10, 2011
VOLUME 30, NUMBER # VOLUME 31, NUMBER 50
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Business brings fairy tales to life Rosemount aunt-and-niece team behind Luna Murals use artistic talents to create interior magic
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INSIDE BIZ FORUM
Federal government should encourage education reform and fully-fund its obligations for special education. 4A
JOHN KLINE BUSINESS 101
BRETT KOLLES Photo by Jessica Harper
Christine Adams Evaska founded Luna Murals in 1997 with a former business partner. After that partner left in 2008, she brought her niece Suzanne Adams into the business as co-owner. by Jessica Harper DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Every day Rosemount residents Christine Adams Evaska and Suzanne Adams encounter a new adventure in which they enter magical kingdoms, greet woodland fairies and swim with mermaids. The two women have made a career of painting enchanting, mythical lands in children’s bedrooms, playrooms, hospitals, schools, and other spaces through their Rosemount business, Luna Murals. “It’s the best job in the world,� said Adams Evaska, who oversees the business from her home. “It’s exciting to challenge myself to be creative.� In addition to murals, the business specializes in children’s furniture pieces and decorative Photo by Jessica Harper plaques. Christine Adams Evaska, Plaques range in price from founder and co-owner of $350 to $600, while murals Luna Murals, says her favorrange on average from $600 to ite project involved creating $2,000. a carousel room using actual The aunt-and-niece team carousel horses. say they were surrounded by artists growing up and were encouraged to pursue their artistic talents at
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NEWS ROUNDUP
Burnsville Fire Department has selected a 28-year-old and former staff member to be its new chief. B.J. 6A JUNGMANN NEWS ROUNDUP
GARY ANGER
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Red Pine principal selected for Leadership Achievement Award by Minnesota elementary school principals. 7A
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a young age. “I was born with a pencil in my hand,� Adams Evaska said. Her love for drawing and painting led the Rosemount High School graduate to pursue a fine arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. A few years into college, Adams Evaska changed her major to graphic design, but said she soon realized that it wasn’t for her. From there, Adams Evaska worked as a retail manager for a few years before founding the mural venture in 1997 with a former business partner. At the time, it was called Morgan, Evans and Thorme, which people often mistook for a law firm, Adams Evaska said. In the beginning, they did work for friends and family and showcased their work at art shows, where they drew the attention of several interior designers and builders who helped connect them with clients. Within the first few years, the business was successful. By 2008, Adams Evaska’s business partner left the venture and her niece, Suzanne Adams, who previously worked there as an apprentice, became co-owner. That same year, they changed the venture’s
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