Evergreen Framing Co. & Gallery
Address: 3295 South 2000 East
Telephone: 801-467-8770
Website: evergreengallery.com
District: Millcreek
“People have wondered how we could work together for forty years. But since we kind of do different things - even though they overlap - I have mIne and he has his. Some days are easier than others, but we have found a way to make it work.” Kelly and Majid Omana have built a life together in every sense - married since 1983, partners in Evergreen Framing Co. & Gallery since 1985, and still going strong.
Their story began in high school when Maj had already graduated but Kelly was still a student. They dated through Kelly’s college years and married soon after. From the outset, they shared a love of working with their hands, of creating, and of building something meaningful together.
Kelly, originally from Texas but raised in Utah from the age of ten, found her way into the framing world during college. What began as a job at a custom frame shop turned into a publishing venture representing artists, printing their work, and selling across the country. When that partnership ended, she invested in her own dream: a framing and gallery business. At first, she ran it largely on her own. Maj helped while still working at a local sound gallery.
Maj brings his own artistic side to the venture. His passions have ranged from pottery and jewelry to woodworking and music, while his family’s history reflects creativity and entrepreneurship. His father, who emigrated from Iran, and his mother, who came from Denmark, both instilled in him a love for beauty and culture. After arriving in Utah, his father eventually moved to California, where he opened a Persian rug business- an enterprise that later drew several of Maj’s brothers into the trade. Though Maj chose a different path, growing up surrounded by the artistry of Persian rugs and the entrepreneurial drive of his family helped shape his own appreciation for design and craftsmanship.
Originally around the corner, Evergreen moved into its current location in 2003. The Millcreek space is more than a shop; it is a warm and eclectic gallery, filled with paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, pottery, and gifts that are both thoughtful and often philanthropic. Shoppers may find Guatemalan-made pouches, jewelry supporting breast cancer awareness, or dog collars that fund care for stray dogs. They carry local favorites like Katie Waltman’s jewelry, as well as playful pieces like gurgling pitchers from Seattle and fragrance lamps from France. Each room offers something unique, from silver prints and archival photographs to colorful textiles and handmade treasures.
At the heart of Evergreen, however, is custom framing. It has always been their anchor and is their most requested service – and often deeply personal for the clientele. People bring in vacation memories, treasured gifts, and family keepsakes - objects full of meaning. “It’s a fun clientele,” Kelly shares. “Most people are excited and happy when they come in.” Over the years, they have framed everything from wedding gowns and blessing dresses to guitars, sports jerseys, posters, and heirlooms dug out of closets. “Framing is preservation,” Kelly explains, describing the archival materials, UV-protective glass, and quality workmanship they insist upon. “Custom framing is an investment. It’s like furniture. It should last a lifetime.”
Evergreen has also become known for nurturing artists. Over the years, they have given many local artists their first opportunities to show work in a gallery setting, with some going on to become well-established. Maj and Kelly have hosted student art shows for Judge Memorial, scout troops eager to learn the craft of framing, and community events ranging from food drives for the Utah Food Bank to creative fundraisers like “Painted Shoes” for The Shoe Fairy, which buys footwear for children in need.
Though Kelly now splits her time between the shop and being a proud grandmother, she continues as the buyer and merchandiser, curating Evergreen’s eclectic inventory. Maj, meanwhile, oversees the framing workshop, cutting and joining frames and working closely with customers. Together with their small staff of three, they continue to run Evergreen as a true neighborhood spot - local, welcoming, and filled with discoveries.
Travel is a passion for Maj and Kelly, though they admit owning a small business has often limited long vacations. They love Utah and their community, choosing to stay rooted rather than expand elsewhere. “We’ve been asked why we don’t franchise or open another store,” Kelly reflects. “But then we wouldn’t be together. And we like it here.”
In many ways, Evergreen reflects the couple themselves: creative, enduring, flexible, and quietly devoted to both art and community. Maj and Kelly have raised children, welcomed grandchildren, and remained a constant in a neighborhood that has changed many times over. “We’re not artists, but we are passionate about art. We love being around it, supporting it, and collecting it. Evergreen has given us that gift - to build something together, to share it with our community, and to spend our lives surrounded by creativity.”
