Mari's Place for the Arts

Mission

The mission of Mari's Place is to foster creativity and leadership in children and teens through arts and culture programs. We provide children with a safe and encouraging environment where they can explore and develop their abilities in a variety of subjects. We focus on giving back to our community and serving families in all income and ethnic backgrounds.

Description

In 2010 Mary Toews, our founder, saw a serious state of misfortune in her community. She recognized an underlying sense of hopelessness in a great number of local children. Clearly, these children need an avenue to develop and gain access to untapped abilities and talents that Mary saw in them.

There were neither affordable programs offering cultural enrichment classes to children of economically depressed families, nor spare funds available from those families who often struggled to meet even basic needs.

Mary feels that all children should have an opportunity to belong to a safe community that offers enrichment, exploration of creativity, and that builds personal self-confidence and self-knowledge.

With determination to effect change, she began to recruit volunteers who could teach children a variety of classes aimed toward these goals. In 2011, after forming a not-for-profit organization, she asked the children to name it. They chose "Mari's Place" because that is what they had already been calling it.

Mary Toews, a well known and respected figure in the community, has dedicated her life and resources to this cause since its inception. Her heartfelt belief in the possibilities of creating such a place, and her steadfast efforts have brought it to life.

It's a wonder to behold when you see the activity and happiness at Mari's Place for the Arts. The impact of Mari's Place goes far beyond art, it changes lives.

2020 Best of 2020 Everett Art School
2019 Everett Mayors Arts Award for Arts Changing Lives
2018 Washington Governor's Volunteer Service Award
2015 Change Maker Award Mary Toews
King5 Television Comes to Everett to Visit Mari's Place For the Arts